What is up with the oil drain on My ML?
 

:confused: Just did my 1st oil change on my new to me 98 ML320. On my buddies lift I undid the drain and it shot oil at a very high rate all over my passenger front tire, my A-arms, swaybars, etc. What the Fudge is up with that? Do they make an elbow so it at least blows down into the drain pan instead of me trying to cover the room in oil?

That is why we used extraction tool to suck the oil thru the oil dipstick. Try search on "topsider".

When the ML came out, that's when MB really started "pushing" the oil extraction method of oil changing. They are concerned that the oil can degrade some of the rubber components underneath, like A arm bushings and motor mounts and such.
Before we got out extractor, we were using various methods to direct the oil away from the various moving parts. Best luck we had was careful cutting and shaping of the top of an empty gallon antifreeze jug.
Gilly

Why didn't MB do something very simple. Instead of putting the drain plug on the side of the pan, put it on the front or the bottom of the pan where it would have an unrestricted area to drain.

I have a 98 ML320, are the newer years still in the same place?

I curse the MB mechanical engineers everytime I have change the motor oil for such a poor design.

I have switched to sucking the oil out.

I extract my boat oil and I tell you it aint as good as dropping the plug. I like to let it all drain so maybe I will extract most and then drop the plug. What a bunch of idiots at MB on this one. It is not as though there is no room under there. Almost as bad as that damn plastic skirt that is held in with 15 screws on the others. At least with extracting you don't need a lift or have to lay on the floor.

Maybe MB designed the oil sump so sucking the oil out would actually drain more oil than removing a plug??!? :confused: ?!?!??!??

Plenty has been said about this already :)

Kuan

My local MB repair shop informed me that MB recommends sucking the old oil out.
They also told me that MB is going to eliminate the drain plug so that you have to suck it out.

Has anyone else heard this?

Wayne

82 300SD
98 ML320

Yes, I have heard this, but I'm unsure if it will happen though. But just remember, the torque converter plug left us in about 2000 model year, and the dipstick is on the way out; it's gone on the 203 chassis, and also no dipstick on the R230 SL Class. No trans dipstick since the 722.6 automatic, either.
Gilly

Dan,

Have you ever done a test to see which method removes the most oil, draining it or sucking it out.

It seems that draining it would get more out, or has MB come up with a method of getting the dip stick tube positioned where it can get more out.

Also, if they eliminate the dipstick, how will it be sucked out, a special port or something?

Wayne

82 300SD
98 ML320

Wayne:
Boy, I sure have! I didn't like the sounds of this AT ALL from the start. I'm about as "old School" you'll find for a guy my age (40).
Yes, on these modular engines especially this is excellent. Used the oil extractor (MB type end, engages only on the wide part on the top of the tube, so the dipstick tube itself is the suction probe. Raised car and removed drain plug; TA DA, not a single drop came out. The only exception I have found on recent engines is the M111 4 cylinder, just doesn't hardly work at all. The most recent M111, the 111 EVO I haven't had a chance to try yet. I'd say your right on the money on your observation, they have the bottom of the tube so close the the bottom of the pan it just really gets it cleaned out good. No other explanation covers it.
They are getting rid of the stick itself, same as on the transmission. Tube is still there. There is a "shop tool" dipstick on both accounts. Neither one of these sticks are made to stay in the tube, though, made too long, just push it down the tube til it stops in the bottom someplace, then pull it back out. With the trans, they consider it lifetime fill (I'd replace it at 100K miles anyways) and the engine oil is checked with the level monitor feature in the instrument panel.
Gilly

How is the topsider efficiency on the old mb motors: m119, m104, m103

As I recall they work real good. Maybe I should retest some of these and post the results. I seem to recall the older V8's like the 116/117 left something to be desired.

Gilly

ML oil drain
 

For all ML DIYers' , a simple trough, made of corrugated cardbord, will save a lot of clean-up time! The guys in my shop always get a kick out of watching me make one out of an old wind shield box. About three feet long and eight inches wide. If you have a brushguard it's a little tricky to fit it in, but it still beats making a mess! Just fold it into a "vee" and stick it beneath the drain plug. The drain pan can be placed just forward of the R/F wheel. It ain't pretty but it works fine in the absence of extraction equipment.