Ran my mercedes with low amount of engine oil. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Oldwolf · #16 08-16-2010, 03:27 PM

What grade/make of oil did you have in it?

barry123400 · #17 08-16-2010, 04:40 PM

Can be a hard lesson in life. I know you should check your oil everytime you fill up. I do on the older diesels but must admit I am neglectful on the newer cars. I may have to pay the price for that someday as well.

On my wifes cars I try to check them periodically otherwise they would never get checked from change to change.

In the really old days when they filled your tank they almost always asked if you wanted your oil checked. They considered it a bit of a profit centre but it was really for your own good.

Now if one of the hoses lets go in the oil cooler circuit. Most engines are lost when that senario occurs. Especially when on the highway. Almost impossible to avoid other than keeping good hoses on the car.

wannadiesel · #18 08-16-2010, 07:40 PM

Some harsh responses, ouch. The embarrassing knocking is enough of a black eye for me.

When I changed the oil, (barely a month ago) I used delo 15w40. I still have 1/2 tank of diesel from the fillup after the oil change. My car is parked in the grass and I moved the car to look for any signs of a massive oil leak and saw some drops, but no spots that would be in the magnitude of 5 quarts. The oil pressure gauge needle was between 2-3 on the way back from the beach.

Today I drained the gas station oil and added 6 quarts of delo 15w40(didn't change the filter). Took the car for a test drive and except for the knocking it runs just as it did before. I understand I'm likely on borrowed time and will look into an engine swap.

This problem reared its ugly head out of nowhere, with no warning. The cleanliness of the engine bay when I purchased this car was remarkable. There were no spots on his driveway when I came and looked at the car on two separate occasions.

Fattyman · #19 08-16-2010, 07:46 PM

Hmmm, if you still have power steering it wasn't the belt that broke you oil cooler lines. With oil usage that great the motor was not long for this world anyway. Don't sweat it. It can happen to anyone. Don't ask me how I know. If anything, you will not let it happen again with your new motor

Renntag · #20 08-16-2010, 08:07 PM

I think there is a distinct possibility that something failed and dumped the oil. Has any investigation been made into where it went? Was there a problem with the oil filter or the cooler line?

On another note: Check the oil weekly if not daily. Check all fluids before any trip. Always look under the car to see if there are new leaks.

Do your best to keep the engine bay clean so as to easily identify new leaks/issues. This also makes it more pleasurable to perform repairs and maintenance procedures.

I have seen a couple 917 motors for sale just this week. You should have no problem finding a spare.

best of luck.

vstech · #21 08-16-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fattyman

Hmmm, if you still have power steering it wasn't the belt that broke you oil cooler lines. With oil usage that great the motor was not long for this world anyway. Don't sweat it. It can happen to anyone. Don't ask me how I know. If anything, you will not let it happen again with your new motor

incorrect.
a oil cooler line cutting will not damage the power steering belt in the slightest. once the oil soaks the belt, it could start slipping, but not necessarily. I've seen plenty of these motors taken down by the simple cutting of the hose by the belt, and many are driven after if the oil loss is noticed before it runs out, I've never seen one take out the power steering belt yet.

Renntag · #22 08-16-2010, 08:17 PM

I think there is a terrible misunderstanding here.

Fattyman thinks that VStech suggested the belt broke and took out the line.

VStech infact mentioned that a bad motor mount can cause the ps pump to get close enough to the oil lines to cut them.

VStech thinks that Fattyman is suggesting that the ps pump belt is still fine after this happens.

I find this hilarious.

Until the OP tells us what caused the oil loss, we have no idea. It is good to know, however, that the ps can possibly cut the lines. Seems like a shield for the lines should be fabricated to avoid this.

toddyvol · #23 08-16-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

incorrect.
a oil cooler line cutting will not damage the power steering belt in the slightest. once the oil soaks the belt, it could start slipping, but not necessarily. I've seen plenty of these motors taken down by the simple cutting of the hose by the belt, and many are driven after if the oil loss is noticed before it runs out, I've never seen one take out the power steering belt yet.

Wonder is it would be possible to fabricate a shield that would attach and protect the oil cooler lines?

Renntag · #24 08-16-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renntag

... Seems like a shield for the lines should be fabricated to avoid this.

Of course. Simply wrapping a piece of sheet metal around them would work too.

junqueyardjim · #25 08-16-2010, 08:46 PM

If the loss of that much oil can't be found easily, I wonder if a defective turbo drain could dump a small stream of oil out on the road and not be easy to find. It would most likely keep the bottom of the car well oiled I guess.

charmalu · #26 08-16-2010, 09:00 PM

I do have a shield of sorts on my oil cooler hoses. I bought it at the "Hose Shop" here locally in town. they make all sorts of hydraulic hoses etc....

they have this plastic hose wrap, that twists around the hose. this piece is about 3/16 thick, and just wrap it around & around the hose. come in various sizes. this stuff is used on Back Hoe hyd lines where they rub etc.... and other applications.

this link will give an idea of what Iam using.

http://www.prenaspire.com/

Charlie

vstech · #27 08-16-2010, 09:18 PM

I had some of that shield on my lower radiator hose in my suburban, and the serpentine belt cut through it in no time on a trip... the loss of coolant caused my transmission to cook a 2-3 solenoid and now my 4l60 only has 1 and 3... very annoying... gotta fix that someday... but I don't drive it much I like my MB's...

wannadiesel · #28 08-16-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

If the loss of that much oil can't be found easily, I wonder if a defective turbo drain could dump a small stream of oil out on the road and not be easy to find. It would most likely keep the bottom of the car well oiled I guess.

This seems like it could be the culprit. The PO drove the car for a long time with a disintegrated throttle bushing (W0133-1617422 on fastlane) and could never fully press the accelerator pedal. Took me like 10 minutes to get to 70 mph on the interstate on the way home. I replaced the bushing with a new one from fastlane when I performed all the maintenance (along with new motor mounts).

Maybe the worn bushing, and the very limited use of the pedal kept the turbo from dumping oil when he had it ? I'll remove the air cleaner housing tomorrow and will take a look.

Quirky Mercy · #29 08-16-2010, 10:18 PM

Hey don't feel too bad, mine had a knock when I bought it! The PO must have put some Motor Honey in it to quiet it down before i picked it up. About 200 miles later it was really knocking no real leaks just a real bad knock. I have yet to disasemble the old engine and find the cause, I know #1 only had 175 psi compression. I am shure You will find a good replacement. I learned alot pulling the power pack! Cheer up!

Fattyman · #30 08-17-2010, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renntag

I think there is a terrible misunderstanding here.

Fattyman thinks that VStech suggested the belt broke and took out the line.

VStech infact mentioned that a bad motor mount can cause the ps pump to get close enough to the oil lines to cut them.

VStech thinks that Fattyman is suggesting that the ps pump belt is still fine after this happens.

I find this hilarious.

I find this disturbing! You are correct, I misread VStech's first post.

I have used heater hose for a doubler on the oil cooler lines.
The other stuff mentioned is called spiral wrap. I've only seen this used to protect wires from chafing. I've never seen a mondo version though. It's made out of nylon or teflon etc.
I guess anything is better than nothing.