600 mile trip odd symptoms after oil change - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

greasybenz · #1 01-02-2007, 02:11 AM

Well for the new years weekend we planned on going to lake tahoe but at the last minute changed to the seqoia national park.

I took the 87 300D, before i left i checked all fluid levels and everything was A ok. 300 miles and i get to the house we rented in visalia, CA. Checked the dipstick and it read empty

Had 2 quarts of the mobil 1 5w40 in the trunk so i poured it in and the dipstick still read empty. So i found a pep boys with a quick lube station in the back to change the oil.

They wanted to use krendell 5w30 synthetic blend but asked them if it was diesel rated...it wasnt. So i asked them to put in a diesel rated oil and they said i had to buy the oil in the store. But they didnt have any mobil 1 5w40 (duh) but didnt carry 15w50 or 0w40 either.

So i just went with shell rotella 5w40 synthetic. They used a purolator filter

which i plan to change to a wix.

They said the car took 9 quarts to read full. So i was curious if something was wrong. The last two oil changes 8 quarts out 8 quarts in exactly.

The engine sounded a little more "gurgly" at above 3000rpms as well, on mobil 1 the engine is smooth at the same rpms why is it now gurgling? Oil pressure is the same 2 bar at idle 3 bar once moving.

Could it be the oil? filter? odd couincidence?

Dusty-NZ · #2 01-02-2007, 02:23 AM

Here's my guess .
The engine sounds 'gurgly' because it is a quart overfull. Sloshing the excess around.
Happy New Year.

Frankie · #3 01-02-2007, 03:34 AM

That sounds right to me too. But where did all the old oil go to if you did your pre-trip fluid checks? Did you notice more smoke coming out of exhaust during the drive to Visalia?

I burn about one quart every 3,000 but don't have any noticeable leak on the garage floor and no smoke out of exhaust pipe. Not sure how engine can burn that much oil without leaving some evidence? I'm a mystified novice.
Happy new year!
Frankie

raMBow · #4 01-02-2007, 04:44 AM

You were someplace different, did you find a level spot to check the fluid? I scared myself to death once with checking it in a hotel parking lot after I first got mine. You really need to find a level spot to check it. Or simply turn the vehicle around in the same spot and see what you get as a reading. Just the 3" drop in my Brides garage will read different if it is parked in or backed in. Just a thought.

Ken300D · #5 01-02-2007, 08:51 AM

They were able to sell you a quart of expensive oil you did not need.

If the baby needed a new pair of shoes, it would have been 10 quarts.

Welcome to the world of auto service - - - - - -

Ken300D

greasybenz · #6 01-02-2007, 11:18 AM

i did check on a flat level surface. Usually when i check at my house im on a slight incline. I did notice some lifter ticks that went away when i put in the 2 quarts of new oil.

On the drive over i didnt notice any smoke at all behind me even when accelerating up a grade.

Hatterasguy · #7 01-02-2007, 11:30 AM

More importantly, you checked the oil before you left and it was fine. 300 miles later its what 3-4 quarts low, maybe more??? Thats a huge amount to lose you would see a leak like that.

Did the low oil light come on? Did the oil pressure drop? Was the top end going nuts? I would imagin if you ran the oil on a 603 that low the lifters would sound like they were going to come threw the hood!

Is the oil pressure reading normal now?

So where could the oil have went? Check the crank case breather and turbo.

H-townbenzoboy · #8 01-02-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greasybenz

i did check on a flat level surface. Usually when i check at my house im on a slight incline. I did notice some lifter ticks that went away when i put in the 2 quarts of new oil.

On the drive over i didnt notice any smoke at all behind me even when accelerating up a grade.

Do you check the oil 6-8 hours after you shut off the engine? It takes synthetic a little while longer to drain back into the pan than dino oil, and that's the only way you can get an accurate reading.

bgkast · #9 01-02-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

Do you check the oil 6-8 hours after you shut off the engine? It takes synthetic a little while longer to drain back into the pan than dino oil, and that's the only way you can get an accurate reading.

I thought you were supposed to check the oil hot. Also why would synthetic take longer to drain? The viscosity is no different than the dino equivalent.

tarbe · #10 01-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

I thought you were supposed to check the oil hot. Also why would synthetic take longer to drain? The viscosity is no different than the dino equivalent.

Synthetics that contain esters exhibit more cling to metal surfaces, but that won't measurably change the rate you observe the oil returning to the oil pan. It is more of a "molecular" thing

greasybenz · #11 01-02-2007, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

Do you check the oil 6-8 hours after you shut off the engine? It takes synthetic a little while longer to drain back into the pan than dino oil, and that's the only way you can get an accurate reading.

i checked early in the morning before i turn on the engine. So yes about 6-8hours after i shut the engine off the night before.

greasybenz · #12 01-02-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

More importantly, you checked the oil before you left and it was fine. 300 miles later its what 3-4 quarts low, maybe more??? Thats a huge amount to lose you would see a leak like that.

Did the low oil light come on? Did the oil pressure drop? Was the top end going nuts? I would imagin if you ran the oil on a 603 that low the lifters would sound like they were going to come threw the hood!

Is the oil pressure reading normal now?

So where could the oil have went? Check the crank case breather and turbo.

Oil pressure was normal pegged at 3bar the entire drive. Low oil light did not come on. But when i arrived i did notice the lifters ticking a little louder then usual. No oil spots on the pavement either.

Oil pressure now is as it is normally around 2 bar at idle 3 bar once moving. Checked the oil level on the dipstick and it shows full, the oil looks almost new not dark black, must be the low soot from ULSD.

Hatterasguy · #13 01-02-2007, 02:53 PM

So the oil light is DOA, happens. Where did the oil go then?

greasybenz · #14 01-02-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

So the oil light is DOA, happens. Where did the oil go then?

Ive pressure washed the engine to get all the oil sludge off. And drove around to see if any oil leaks were noticable. But none, checked around the turbo, oil pan, followed the breather hose coming from the valve cover down and couldnt see any oil leaks.

Dipstick still reads full but the engine still has that gurgly sound. Should i try to drain out a quart?

vstech · #15 01-02-2007, 09:12 PM

Greasey, I bet your hotel owner got out and drained it for you. his brother owns the jiffy lube up the street and he knows the guy's kid needs new shoes for new years...

Hmm, do I hear an Oil burner in my parking lot? Mua haa haa haa....