a lesson I learned today.

this morning I purchased some diesel fuel, and check the oil level. needed to add some 15w40, and I thought I replaced the oil fuller cap. Since the cap was hot, I used a paper towel to remove and replace. In a hurry, I guess I did not completely tighten the cap.

140 miles later, as I was going thru town, I saw a light blue/white smoke, strange, I thought, must be that big Ford diesel next to me, could not be my 81 MB 240D.

pulled into my drive way, and parked up next to the house. going back out, I saw some 'black' spots on the drive way. Now what, is my MB leaking oil somewhere? Open the hood, and oil everywhere !!!!!!!!!!!! and no cap!!!

feeling very sick, and at a lost where to start ............... I pushed the car down to a level part of the drive way and left the hood open.

took my wife's car and went to local auto store, got 2 gallons 15w/40 and a new oil cap, and 2 cans of engine cleaner.

still feeling very sick to my stomach , I then checked the oil level left in the engine ...... and ..... the level was half way down between the two marks.

topped off the oil level, again, and made very sure the oil cap was all the way one., sprayed two cans of engine cleaner, spayed the engine, re-oiled the IP linkage and am not ready for tomorrow.

i learned today, never get in a hurry, when replacing a hot oil cap.

things sure could have been a lot worse.

bob
1981 240D 181,000

You are a lucky one! My brother in law recently spotted a water leak in his Volvo. Filled the rad and proceeded to take it for a drive, to visit us its less than 12 miles distance but in stop and go traffic takes 30 or 40 minutes, and his car died about half way. Had to be towed. Engine locked up. That'll teach that fellow something about cars, he was the one that said my '83 300D with 210K miles showing should be considered a worn out vehicle. Ha! Now mines worth a lot more than his "new 92 Volvo wagon" which he bought brand new and took a huge depreciation on! And supported the insurance company along the way. And all the bi-annual smog checks I didn't have to mess with. Sorry for the vent

Anyhow, what I was going to suggest is using a big spray can of WD-40 to clean off the oil, it works better and smells better than some engine cleaners. (Just wipe it off using paper towels or hose it off onto some old grass you want to get rid of)

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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!