Hello all,


Been lurking here for awhile and find the board very informative. I have a 2005 500 Clk Convertible and I want to do an oil change myself. I bought the topsider vacuum, the proper oil, filter etc but Cannot figure out for the life of me where the dipstick is located. I was told that oil removal through the dipstick tube is the way to go. Does my engine have a dipstick? If not, how do I remove the oil, is there another method to use? I have tried to syphon through the oil filter chamber, but the tube will not penetrate.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
CJ

Seems to me I've heard somewhere (probably here) that the most recent model Benzes don't come with a dipstick. The tube is there, but you have to actually buy one from the dealer (??!!). Or is that just the transmission dipstick?
.

__________________
* *
-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino

I did my own oil changes after Starmark warranty ran out. Personally, if I had a $55k car under warranty, I wouldn't be worried about the extra $40 or so savings every 5-10k, I'd be worried IF something happens to the motor, MBUSA is going to kick you in the face. On that car, I'd take it to the dealer and keep full records until the warranty is gone.

__________________
former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

The 55K car is leased, so I really do not see the advantages of paying $500 extra for an oil change for a car I will not own in 18 months. I barely put any mileage on it as is 8000k in 18 mos. So any time I can cut corners on this troublesome POS I will. Since I acquired it, it has been to the shop 4 times, bad brake sensors, faulty alterator, radio died, broken glove compartment, the last for HORRIBLE roof noise, which took the so called "geniuses" 3 full days to figure out what was wrong. And then it was only a temporary fix. So if I could save $450 and not bring my car to the "criminals" at my local MB dealer I will.

Now back to the original question. On a CLK 500A 2005, is that little red cap in the back of the engine, the way to the oil pan?

Thanks.

Why dont you just go under the car and take out the oil pan drain plug. Drain the oil and fill it back up threw the filter housing. Why the extra money to buy a vaccum and waist all that time. If you take out the drain plug you need to replace the metal washer/seal that comes off it. Dont waist time sucking anything out.

Um apparently there is no drain plug or dipstick on some of the new MB's thats why

Wow...Is that not the transmission fill. You are better be sure before you cause an expensive error. I do not own a CLK but If I were you, I take it to a service advisor and ask for the engine oil fill or better yet read the manual.

Should be very similar to this process - http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/OilFilter2

Sixto
93 300SD

The red capped tube in the back of he engine bay ought to be the transmission dip stick tube. It does not come with a dip stick and is sealed so not being able to get the cap off is confirmation.

The oil dip stick ought to be somewhere up front.

Seriously and no offense intended, asking these types of questions raises questions concerning your qualifications of whether or not you should be perfroming those services yourself.

Perhaps you would be better served by an independent MB mechanic who would perfrom the services you requested rather than the dealer?

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Every MB has a drain plug on the oil pan, its a myth that they removed it in the later cars. The trani dipstick tube and oil dipstick tube can possibly be right next to each other against the firewall. if you remove the airbox you might see two tubes. One will have an all red cap that usually sits higher tyhan the other and you can just pull it off, the other will be black with a red insert stopping you from being able to pull it out. The all red cap is the oil dipstick tube, the black with red insert is the trani dipstick tube.

The first tep is to find the owners manual, It will show where the dip stick is. The next step is to use the hose from the topsider all the way down to the pan. It will get out all the oil, dont fool with the oil filter since there are check valves in that. It should be at the front of the engine, the trans is at the rear.
MB is competive on oil changes my last change was $100 synth, and genuine filter, plus a wash. I dont go for the A or B just change the oil and filter if you want to save money.
I dont think just because it is a lease it does not need to be taken care of

yikes... 100 dollars for an oil change...

i guess if i just had one car, not too bad..but i am keeping 4 serviced... i'll keep getting whatever is on sale..and a five dollar filter from these sites... drink a cup of coffee while the suction device drains it...

the only pain is taking the old oil to the dump every couple of months...

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Nope...not on the newer MB.
Oil change cost:
Mobil 1 $6 x 9q = $54 (walmart price);
Extended life filter $15-20
Total = $74

So you see the dealer is not making much (it is a loss leader) except he reel you in for other items

Unless he has a lift, it takes just as long to drain out the bottom as to extract from the top. You may be able to push a pan under your older car, but I sure can't do that on mine unless I jack it up. The time spent waiting for the vacuum to do its job can be spent doing other things, unlike the time spent jacking the car and crawling underneath and removing the belly pan. Yes, newer models have these too.

Then there's the problem of the car not sitting straight when on a support from one end; you leave a lot in there unless you put the car level while it's draining.