Would you buy a 1998 E300 that ran Castrol GTX 10w30 until 30K miles - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RLGDiesel · #1 11-03-2011, 04:04 PM

Hi...I am looking to buy another 1998 E300...found one that looks pretty good...but the service records show that the PO changed the oil at 13K, 20K, 24K, and 29K with dino Castrol GTX 10w30. Since that time, the oil has been changed with Mobil 1 0w40 at 7-10K intervals. I know that the Catrol 10w30 does not meet the 229.5 spec and might not even be diesel rated. Do you think that engine is trashed or is the car still worth looking at. Of course, the seller (knows nothing about MBs) does not think this is an issue.

One reason that people who don't know about cars should just go to the stealership.

gatorblue92 · #2 11-03-2011, 04:07 PM

How many miles on the car now?

leathermang · #3 11-03-2011, 05:21 PM

Any visible smoke ?
What is the oil pressure reading ?
Can you do a compression test ?

oldsinner111 · #4 11-03-2011, 05:38 PM

There is a 10/30 diesel oil and 0/40

engatwork · #5 11-03-2011, 06:17 PM

You should be fine but I would stick with the Mobil 1 diesel from now on.

A good way to tell how much sludge is in there is to remove the oil fill cap and look for sludge build up. On some of the BMW's that I've seen where the owner used conventional oil and utilized the service light for the service (15k+ miles) there is always a good bit of sludge.

I had a guy inquire today wanting to know could he run conventional oil and change it every 3k miles on a 09 GLK350. If you got to ask...........

Oracle12345 · #6 11-03-2011, 06:20 PM

at least the oil has been changed reguarly.the only thing i can see is that additive added to the oil will have broken down faster than normal
my 77 300D the previous owners had 10-40 put in it to slow down oil leaks but the engine seems fine and no sludge

engatwork · #7 11-03-2011, 06:23 PM

If the change interval and type is going to create an issue it will show up in the turbo first.

vstech · #8 11-03-2011, 11:10 PM

MANY dieselers swore by castrol 10w30, and it's often still the oil of choice. until like 05, most if not all oils were diesel rated. I'd not worry about it, most important is the conditions the car was driven, and you have no idea of that. good frequent oil changes are an awesome record to have.
I'd totally ignore that as a flaw, and look for any other problems on the car.

leathermang · #9 11-03-2011, 11:28 PM

Since he specified GTX .....
which according to this site from 1999... is not diesel rated...

Diesel Motor Oil

I put over 300 k miles on a Toyota R22 engine using Castrol GTX ..... but would worry about it being not diesel rated and used in a diesel...

vstech · #10 11-03-2011, 11:42 PM

are you certain that's a 1999 post? it lists CI-4 as current...
I'm sure GTX is not a diesel preferred oil, but my addled memory seems to find all castrol oils having at least a CF in them back in the 90's...

oh well, I'd still stick with my decision. if all else checks out, the 30K of oil changes under 5K in duration each would not sway my vote on the motor IF the car passed all my other tests and checks...

leathermang · #11 11-03-2011, 11:53 PM

I am not sure of anything..

but currently passing tests like I mentioned in post number 3 would override everything else....

When I skimmed it I saw "CH-4 is a proposed category at this time, which we anticipate being finalized during the first half of 1999." and it looked like it was about the same time as the car in question was made...

and lower in the lists...

"Castrol
per Barbara at Customer service, (973) 633-2200:
SynTec Full Synthetic (CF)
RX Super (CG-4)
SynTec Blend in 15W40 (CG-4)
GTX is NOT for diesels"

Here they show a GTX which is rated for Diesel...
Do not know when they started offering that...

Castrol USA - Castrol GTX Diesel

layback40 · #12 11-04-2011, 12:49 AM

I hope this doesnt develop into another oil thread.
The OP has not got back to tell us the current mileage on the car. This GTX usage could have occurred 200,000 miles ago !!!
Probably the oil was not high enough on detergent to be rated as a diesel oil.
When we know a little more, sensible comment can be made. Most 1998 cars dont have sufficient service history to know what oil was used in them in early times.

RLGDiesel · #13 11-07-2011, 09:06 AM

Sorry...I thought I was on email notification and had not checked back.

The car only has 63K miles on it...super low...I have not seen it in person yet.

I appreciate all the replies...all in all, sounds like a fairly minor issue...I will report back once I get a better look at the car (check turbo performance, oil cap sludge, etc.).

Thanks again!