This thing continues to amaze me. One would think that a 19 year old engine with 254k+ on it would burn a bit of oil? It has the original head, head gasket everything.

But the level on the dipstick just never moves! 8 quarts in 8 quarts out come change time. Maybe my dipstick is broke?

I am using light 5w40 Delvac 1 to! I really don't check it much anymore, their just isn't a need to.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

My 617 with 241k that regularly travels 85-100mph for significant distances doesn't burn any, I lose maybe a qt every 3000 miles from normal "sweating and dripping" and probably from blowby too....doesn't burn any though. Nor does our 617 with 271k on it, and it has 0 blowby and 0 drips, so it looses nothing at all over the 3000mile intervals. Both run Rotella-T 15w40 dino oil @3k changes year round.

*has hijacked a 603 thread.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

My 617 burns about 1 quarts every 3000 miles. I figure this is normal and well within spec.

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http://www.betten.mercedescenter.com...n_banner_1.jpg
1976 300D
190,000 Miles
Colorado Beige

1975 300D
Parts Car
78,000 Miles
Rustbucket
Also Colorado Beige

1984 190D 2.2 (Dad's)
156,000 miles
Champagne Metallic Clearcoat

My 350SD, does not seem to burn ANY oil whatsoever. Probably for the first time in its life. Although it is equipped with the 3.0 liter (and a strong one, to boot, I'm proud to announce).

I've driven it 2000 miles, and the synthetic substance still has a semi-golden shade. I'm a happy man.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

same here. mines burns probably about a quart4 every 3000 miles. but i figure thats just a diesel

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1983 Euro 240D 277K
2016 Mazda 6
Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Formers:
2012- Mazda 3
2007 Outlander- complete pile
1995 E300 Diesel 208K
2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD
2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K
2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000
2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold
1984 300 turbo diesel 222K

My 350SD rolls about 80 miles a day in heavy commuter traffic and is dripping about 1/2 a quart every 3K between changes but no burning. Its running strong at 220K and I'm amazed...

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2001 E320
1991 350SD 265,000 - SOLD
2000 VW Beetle 1.8Turbo - restored
1997 E320 - SOLD
1988 190E - SOLD
1969 Mustang - SOLD

Nary a drop, of course I am just barely at 140K. HG, that's encouraging about your 603 with the original head. Is it a #14 head?

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

Hatterasguy has a great point, I think MB got it right with oil consumption on the 603 engines
How often are you changing oil? And what brand of filter? (Oboy, I don't want to start another filter debacle, its just that the choice of filters is less with the 603. And since I change about 5K intervals a good filter is necessary.

I own two '87 300D turbos and both show around 265K miles. One has new rings which are just about broken in actually. Both have #14 heads (rebuilt) and amazingly one uses about a quart every 4K and the other (with new rings) a little less than that! Neither have any significant leaks, just a few drops off the IP shut-off lever shaft which I am too lazy to replace the O-rings on.
I believe the turbo bearings let some oil pass into the intake I think that's where most of it goes (my EGRs are in the test mode)
I use AMsoil 15W40 and change at 5K even though the last analysis showed I can go further. I also tend to check whenever I am looking for something to do, unlike the 617's which I religiously check every other fuel stop and wind up topping up inevitably.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

'85 300D with 298,500
burns zero oil.

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

My 617 does not burn oil, it leaks 3-4qts between oil changes. D@mn injection pump gasket...