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#1
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Oil Consumption - I am keeping OPEC happy
I have a BIG oil consumption problem on my 1981 300D of a scale that I have not seen. This car uses about a quart of oil every 200 miles. I am 99% sure that it is not burning as this level of consumption would be leaving a smoke screen everywhere I go. Also, I have I stood behind this car while it is running and there is no hint of oil burning. When I park the car I am not seeing oil dripping of any kind. The engine in general is dirty, but I have just not found a ‘smoking gun’. Perhaps I should first try to degrease the engine and see what develops. This is new territory for me as I have never owned a vehicle that ever lost more than 1/2 of a quart in 4,000 miles. Does anyone have any hints and history for this type of issue?
Last edited by ncof300d; 08-28-2006 at 11:40 AM. |
#2
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try tracerline. it is a flourescent additive that will show up leaks - add it to oil next time you top up. their website has different additives for different applications.
i haven't used it but i've heard recommendations
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'88 190E 2.6 |
#3
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A diesel can burn a lot of oil before there is much tell-tale in the exhaust. However, 1qt./200 miles should have some sort of trail.
For this amount of consumption, it may be a combination of things. Valve seals, turbo seals, main seals etc...
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Sam 84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle ) |
#4
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Update
I changed the oil in Madeline and the oil consuption seems to be way down.
Can this actually happend? I would understand if it had a very, very light oil in it that the loss could be great, however, I don't think that what was drained out was necessarily a thin oil. |
#5
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I was going to suggest trying a thicker oil. I don't know what was in mine when I bought it, but it used about 1 qt. / 600 miles or so. Now I use Rotella 15w-40 every 3000 miles and it consumes very little of it. 1 qt. / 200 miles is a lot though.
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#6
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How long have you had Madeline? Is this a new-to-you car or do you have a history and this started recently?
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Sam 84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle ) |
#7
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I have had Madine only about 3 months. I don't think that I have put 800 miles on her. The car is road worthy, but still needs some work.
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#8
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More update
Well, so far after 300 miles on the new oil the level seems to be staying where it should. I have never seen anything like this before. But, the good part is I am not needing to track my MPG of the oil.
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#9
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That's good news! Maybe the PO had it filled with a very light synthetic?
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Sam 84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle ) |
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