M103 Best Motor Ever - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-18-2009, 04:45 PM

The M103 has very little strain on the chain AND has a ratcheting tensioner. My car just hit 310,000 miles with the original chain.

That said, FREQUENT oil changes, which my car has experienced will add greatly to timing chain life. Lack of frequent changes allows tiny particulate to circulate with the oil that adds significant timing chain wear.

pawoSD · #2 06-18-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

The M103 has very little strain on the chain AND has a ratcheting tensioner. My car just hit 310,000 miles with the original chain.

That said, FREQUENT oil changes, which my car has experienced will add greatly to timing chain life. Lack of frequent changes allows tiny particulate to circulate with the oil that adds significant timing chain wear.

How frequent? I change it every 4k with synthetic Rotella Diesel oil. 5w40....and I use the genuine German filters (Mann or Bosch) Is that a good enough interval?

volosong · #3 06-18-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

How frequent? I change it every 4k with synthetic Rotella Diesel oil. 5w40....and I use the genuine German filters (Mann or Bosch) Is that a good enough interval?

Don't know about Rotella Diesel oil, but the interval is fine.

I have my oil changed every 3750 miles, (plus or minus a hundred or so), with Pennzoil 20-50. That is an even multiple of 15K/30k/60k which are more extensive services. Makes the math easier. I made up a spreadsheet after the maintenance book "expired" with mileage service is due, what type of service, and space to fill in the date of service and any other things that were "fixed" or replaced. I just keep it in the map pocket of the driver's door with the owner's manual and registration in that cheesy clear plastic pouch.

#4 06-18-2009, 06:52 PM

Unless you do a considerable number of short hops, a 4K oil change interval should work well. Using Rotella in one of these engines is not a bad plan either. Flat tappet cam engines need ZDDP additive for cam and lifter life. Todays passenger car oils don't have it due to the vast majority of cars having roller cam followers these days.

Thanks to the latest emissions pressure on diesel engine oil, the ZDDP content in the the diesel oils such as Rotella has decreased. Since, however, this is a sliding follower system, the amount of ZDDP in the latest Rotella should be adequate.

The vast majority of the miles on my 300E have been with Chevron Delo, the Chevron equivalent of Rotella. I personally would NOT run any of the newer passenger car oils in the M103, especially in the super lightweights that so many modern engines successfully use.

pawoSD · #5 06-19-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

Unless you do a considerable number of short hops, a 4K oil change interval should work well. Using Rotella in one of these engines is not a bad plan either. Flat tappet cam engines need ZDDP additive for cam and lifter life. Todays passenger car oils don't have it due to the vast majority of cars having roller cam followers these days.

Thanks to the latest emissions pressure on diesel engine oil, the ZDDP content in the the diesel oils such as Rotella has decreased. Since, however, this is a sliding follower system, the amount of ZDDP in the latest Rotella should be adequate.

The vast majority of the miles on my 300E have been with Chevron Delo, the Chevron equivalent of Rotella. I personally would NOT run any of the newer passenger car oils in the M103, especially in the super lightweights that so many modern engines successfully use.

Good to know. I will continue my synthetic diesel oil....it seems to like it, and it lowered consumption dramatically. I did run 0w40 Mobil 1 in it for about 3k....and it went through it rapidly....like 800 miles to the quart....I put a stop to that real quick!

It goes about 1300-1500 miles now between needing topping off. I am using a synthetic due to the cold climate here, otherwise I'd probably run a dino oil like regular rotella or delo.

I know some use heavy stuff like 20w50.....but that stuff must be like glue in the cold....can't be good for the engine. 15w40 dino oil barely comes out of the bottle at 10F....

volosong · #6 06-19-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

...
I know some use heavy stuff like 20w50.....but that stuff must be like glue in the cold....can't be good for the engine. 15w40 dino oil barely comes out of the bottle at 10F....

I'm in the "high desert" of Southern California, (elevations around 2,500 to 2,800 feet). Pretty warm around here most of the year. Does get chilly in winter, but not so bad. When I go to work on winter morning, my main concern is ice on the road. It rarely gets into the high 20s around here, even during the dead of night. So, 20w50 works fine for us.