So I just did my first oil change on my '81 300D.

Easiest job ever, might I add.

However, I have one question. I put in Delo 15W-40, and I put in 7 quarts (I measured according to the bottle) and after a 5 minute jaunt, the oil level was a bit (probably less than 1/4 of an inch) above the max point on the plug.

For what it's worth, i replaced the filter with one from MB (Mann) and also replaced the O-ring on the top part of the oil filter housing.

What to do now?

Thanks!

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2003 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition, "Tiffany," - Black/Black Cloth - 75K miles, Jetta #6; my faithful, turbocharged, BBS-adorned sled

SOLD 3/08 1981 Mercedes Benz 300D, "Elise" - Astral Silver/Black M.B. Tex - 217K miles - I miss her everyday; the best-built car I've owned

You need to start with 5-6 quarts and top it up from there.

Get the engine to operating temperature, shut it off, let it sit for 10 minutes and recheck the oil level.

Lance -

I'm going to Jiffy Lube to go drop off the used oil and filter, and then I'll check back.

Thanks to all who reply.

Let me know any creative siphoning ideas that won't require the use of industrial strength mouthwash.

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2003 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition, "Tiffany," - Black/Black Cloth - 75K miles, Jetta #6; my faithful, turbocharged, BBS-adorned sled

SOLD 3/08 1981 Mercedes Benz 300D, "Elise" - Astral Silver/Black M.B. Tex - 217K miles - I miss her everyday; the best-built car I've owned

I agree, it is a lot easier to top off than to drain excess oil. Start a quart low next time and work your way up from there. As for removing excess oil, I have a hand pump that goes through the dipstick pipe. Can't remember where I got it but it was cheap. Check JC Whitney for a cheap manual pump. That will save you a lot of time in case you overfilled.

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1991 300D 2.5 Turbo (185000 miles)
2002 BMW 330 cic (65000 miles)
2000 Vulcan Classic 1500 (47000 miles)

Agreed, may be available from auto part stores.

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83 SD

84 CD

Just gave it a spirited drive, and the oil level is now just barely, and I mean BARELY (we're talking 1 to 2 sixteenths of an inch) above the max level.

I think I'm fine.

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2003 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition, "Tiffany," - Black/Black Cloth - 75K miles, Jetta #6; my faithful, turbocharged, BBS-adorned sled

SOLD 3/08 1981 Mercedes Benz 300D, "Elise" - Astral Silver/Black M.B. Tex - 217K miles - I miss her everyday; the best-built car I've owned

Yeah. It will go down on it's own from consumption and leakage.

I always just put in 7 qts....but I let it drain for-ev-er (like half an hour) so every last drop is usually out of there by then.....and I do it with the engine nice and hot. 7qts then brings it up just below max when I do that.

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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)

How about removing the oil filter container lid and use a turkey baster preferably not your wife's!! to suck out the overage.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

I'm 22, and I'm not Mormon, nor am I living in the Deep South, so having a wife this young isn't really part of the plan.

Turkey baster - this would imply that I cook.

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2003 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition, "Tiffany," - Black/Black Cloth - 75K miles, Jetta #6; my faithful, turbocharged, BBS-adorned sled

SOLD 3/08 1981 Mercedes Benz 300D, "Elise" - Astral Silver/Black M.B. Tex - 217K miles - I miss her everyday; the best-built car I've owned

You have to replace the gasket each time you open it or it may leak.....

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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)

Almost a good thought, except the oil drains back down into the engine when it's not running (why it takes a few seconds for the oil pressure to pop up when you start it).

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

While this thread is here....

Spec for a 616 4 cyl is apparently is 6.5 quarts. Should I expect that much out? All I have right now is a gallon so if 6 quarts are coming out I better pick up some more oil!

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-Dan
1983 240D AT, 163K running on VO, "The Patience Tester"

an eighth inch too full will cause no problem whatever, imho.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

thats about what mine takes when i change it...sometimes a little less but usually around 6 qt