New C320 owner questions
 

Folks,

I recently purchased an 02 C320 w c2,c4,c6 packages. I love the car! Big step up from the "Ford". I have a few questions that you can possibly answer.

1. I see lots of info on "sucking' the oil out of the engine for oil changes. I'm assuming it's possible to drain from below as well? ...or is it a pain to do so?

2. Is there a dipstick available to check the oil after changes? Dealer item? I'm thinking that refilling the oil after a change would be a pain without one. Any suggestions?

3. Is changing the oil filter as easy as it looks? Right there on top. Just unscrew and replace the cartridge?

4. The car seems to idle pretty low (about 550-600) rpm in drive and idles rather rough. (shakes actually) The MB service manager says it's pretty normal and at about 3k miles they smooth out. Truth or bunk? (BTW, runs smooth other than idle)


Thanks,
Brian

These cars don't have an engine Or trans dipstick!! The engine oil can be checked thru the instrument cluster & is accurate.

Some Answers
 

Dip stick should be easy to identify. See your owner's manual.
Filter is very easy to change. Just loosen before you drain oil and replace before adding new oil.
C320 is V6, right. Should be very smooth at idle.
Always like to drain oil from underneath as I get to look over engin, steering, cooling and transmission for any early signs of leaks.

MB DOC is correct this car does not come with a dip stick for the engine oil or trans fluid. The engine oil dip stick is available as a special tool from dealer but from what I've heard it is expensive ( about $130 ).This engine should take 8.5 qts of oil.

RPM55:
There is a net message about the fill capacity on the W203 chassis, it has been reduced to 8 quarts. We were getting lots of complaints of the indicator reading "Oil Level Too High", so we were suspicious about this, sure enough they came out with a bulletin on it, please check it out.

BrianC, yes it is possible to drain it from below, pretty easy, just remember to replace the seal on the drain plug every time you do it. Most people aren't worried about all this stuff as the car comes with the Maintenance Commitment for the warranty period. If you are planning to replace the oil yourself between the FSS services, be sure to use the recommended Mobil1 oil, 0W40 if you can find it.
There are also 4 rubber o-rings on the oil filter cap assm. that comes with the filter, be sure to replace those as well.

On question 4, "bunk" I'd say.

Gilly

Gilly, thanks for the info. RPM55

1. I found it difficult at first to get used to the idea of no dipstick, but now I rather like it. I don't have to get out in the weather or look for shop towel to wipe off the dipstick. To check the oil it is in the same menu as the main odometer. The dipstick is available as a tool and costs about $70. I decided not to bother.

2. To drain the oil out the bottom you will find two belly pans. You only need to remove the rear one to access the drain plug.

3. You can get a special tool for the oil filter housing at the MB parts counter for about $10. It works great.

4. I agree with gillybenztechs answer to number 4, except in this case I would spell bunk with all caps, i.e., "BUNK." This car is under a very good warranty program. Make them fix it or replace it.

Enjoy,

ON the W203 chassis there is a special motor mount for excessive vibration at idle. MB part number 203-240-12-17!

thanks for the replies - new c320 owner
 

Thanks all for the replies. I wasn't looking for the oil dipstick for checking on a daily basis. It was just for checking the refill level. As for the vibration at idle, I'll send the S.M. the info on the [revised] engine mounts.

Thanks again,
Brian

As said by an earlier poster, pour in 8 quarts when changing oil and filter and you'll be right on the money.

I hope you enjoy your 203 as much as I have enjoyed mine!

Have a great day,

Oil Capacity 8 quarts.
 

I performed an oil change on my 2002 C320, from underneath without a topsider, then refilled the crankcase with 8 US quarts of Mobil 1. When i ran the motor until it was warmed up, parked on level ground, and checked the oil level from the dash, it stated to perform the FSS Service A interval ontime, which lead me to believe, that I fooled the computer that the car was burning oil??? (I.E. it was 1/2 quart low as the capacity is 8.5 quarts) Anybody have similar issues. I can only guess that this is why the car is telling me to "perform service ontime" from the check oil level thingy.

FYI, if you don't use a Topsider, and you utilize the drain plug, there are two covers that need to be removed from the underside of the car, do a search on "Do I need a Topsider" and there is a good tip from one of the MB techs on this procedure.

As I recall, the "Perform Service on Time" message is merely saying that you need not take the car in based on mileage. Everything is okay.

I'm really curious to see what tip could be involved regarding the belly pans. You merely take off the one in the rear with no need to remove the front one.

Have a great day,

Larry
 

Larry,

That was the tip. As a matter of fact, you gave it to me. I went back and looked thru the post. You only have to remove one and not both.

C320 OIL CHANGING
 

First of all, "Perform service on time" will display when the engine hasn't been shut down long enough for an accurate level check, in the opinion of the oil level sensor. I also see it when the oil temp isn't high enough.

I have changed the oil once in my '01 C320, using my Topsider down through the tube with a cap/cover at the right rear. It looks like a transmission dip stick tube. It isn't since there isn't one or at least I've never found it. The vacuum procedure gets all the oil out, verified by measurement. The next oil change (to Mobil 1 0W40) will be at the long awaited B service which looks like somewhare around 13500 miles. It was last changed at 7200 miles. Although Mobil 1 0W40 was original fill, I'm using Mobil 1 15/50 since 0W40 could not be bought at retail except at Porsche and MB dealers at a hellish price.

When the car was new I purchased the shop tool dipstick (one size fits all models, apparently) at a steep $110 which I use once in a while just to verify that the built-in system hasn't gone south on me.

Cars like this are frustrating for the car hobbyist since there is nothing mechanical to do. That's why changing the oil early is so fulfilling. I think I miss, just a little, all the warranty visits to the dealer with my past MBs. After all, I owned two 201s and we all know what that means.

Roger E./Seattle

Yes, there is a dipstick tube for the automatic transmission. Keep looking, behind right cylinder bank down low.


Gilly

PS why are you changing your own oil when the car has the free "Maintenance Commitment" plan? Just curious.

I think I can answer that question on behalf of myself and the others who are changing oil between dealer visits.

13,000 miles is a LONG TIME between oil changes, Mobil 1 or no Mobil 1. Call me annally retentive if you like, but frequent oil changes have never proven to have an ill effect as far as I can see.

Keep in mind that MB was advocating these long FSS intervals with Dino oil and are now paying the price. They are in a competitive situation and must tout less frequent maintenance requirements in order to be competitive in that category. That doesn't mean they are always correct, or that it is the best thing to do for maximum engine life.

My $0.02,

C320 OIL CHANGES
 

Gilly asks:

"PS why are you changing your own oil when the car has the free "Maintenance Commitment" plan? Just curious."

I didn't feel comfortable with 14000 mile oil changes for absolutely no technical reason, I admit. I had been doing 5000 mile changes in my C280 which I though adequate with Mobil 1 and wanted to stay somewhere near that number. It looks like I might get three, perhaps four free oil changes (per FSS) before 50000 miles rolls around. But, since this is not a lease car I decided a little extra maintenance would do no harm except to my bank account.

I also changed the cabin air filter at my own expense since it was filthy and I didn't want to wait for the B service. As long as I'm talking about filters, where is the activated charcoal filter and what kind of service will it require and when?

Roger E./Seattle

If you dont want to spend $30 for Mobil1 oil every 3000 miles, then at least change the filter every 3-5k miles until FSS tells you to change the oil.

The charcoal filter is located under the dash above the passengers side footwell. I haven't seen the FSS sheet for a 203 chassis yet. On everything but the 140 chassis, it's replaced every 45,000 miles, the 140 charcoal filter is every 75,000, but the parts and labor are much higher on the 140. I believe just the C320 has the charcoal filters, not the C240 or Sportcoupe. 209 chassis CLK I believe all have the charcoal system.
I can see if you want to do additional oil changes, I assume you are still gettting the FSS service (A and B) done at the dealer for free.

Gilly

A SERVICE?
 

Gilly,

Thanks for the info on the charcoal filter. Sounds like it's right where the W202 cabin air filter is. Fact is, I haven't turned it on (by the switch) more than a few times anyway. As to the A service, I don't know what this is. My car's system has never displayed anything but miles to "B" service. If it's just an oil change then I'm OK since it was done at about 4000 (replacement of oil level sensor) and again at 7200. Now 11500 with 2400 to go to "B". Oil, filter, and cabin air filter again, I guess.

Roger E./Seattle

Roger:
I don't know all the details of what has been done to your car.
IF the dealer did a service at 7200 as you state, they probably at that point reset the FSS system. A "B" service always follows an "A" service. When you reset the FSS when it has one "wrench" (A service) showing, it will automatically show a "double wrench" (B service indicator). When you reset it at a "B" service, it'll show a single wrench symbol again. It can, at a later date, show a double wrench symbol, if for example you go over I believe 14,000 miles since the last service.

On the filter, yes, the charcoal filter on the 203 C320 is roughly where the DUST filter was on all 202 chassis. On all model 203 C class cars, the DUST filter is located above the battery.

On the work that was done to repair the oil level sensor, I believe it was simply being overfilled. MB now advises us that the correct amount of oil to put in after draining the oil and replacing the oil filter is 8 quarts, previous recommendation on that chassis was 8.5 quarts. ONLY on the 203 C class cars, other chassis utilizing this engine type is still 8.5 quarts.
Oh, but wait, you didn't change the oil prior to the sensor being replaced, or did you? Hmmmmm.

Gilly

ps Just to clarify, the technician, when performing the FSS maintenance, should determine if the car needs an A or B service. On your car, it's as easy as seeing if one wrench or the double wrench is being displayed. Whatever the FSS is calling for, that's the service which should be performed.

OIL LEVEL SENSORS AND FILTERS
 

This is getting confusing. You said:

<<On the work that was done to repair the oil level sensor, I believe it was simply being overfilled. MB now advises us that the correct amount of oil to put in after draining the oil and replacing the oil filter is 8 quarts, previous recommendation on that chassis was 8.5 quarts. ONLY on the 203 C class cars, other chassis utilizing this engine type is still 8.5 quarts.
Oh, but wait, you didn't change the oil prior to the sensor being replaced, or did you? Hmmmmm.
ps: Just to clarify, the technician, when performing the FSS maintenance, should determine if the car needs an A or B service. On your car, it's as easy as seeing if one wrench or the double wrench is being displayed. Whatever the FSS is calling for, that's the service which should be performed.>>

The sensor was replaced at about 4000 mi when the car was in for some repair or other. The work order said the sensor was inaccurate (error code? Who knows?) The oil was changed at that time and I don't think the FSS was reset. I changed the oil again at 7200 at home because the filter had not been changed at 4K and I wanted to start over. I the reset the FSS myself, a mistake in retrospect. It's now indicating a double wrench B service in 2400 miles which will be about 14000 miles.

Roger E./Seattle

Roger:
The dealer has the capabilty to correct the resetting that was done in error. I would honestly explain the situation to them and hopefully they will get you back on the right track with the services. If they did it all right, they will do the service and you'll get the car back showing 2 wrenches symbol and 10,000 miles showing on the FSS screen. Hopefully the tech will be on top of things on this system and do it correctly to show this.
IMHO, if you want to do the extra oil changes, that's fine, but leave the FSS indicator to be reset when an actual A or B service is performed, not when just an oil change is done. I'd also like to state that I see no problem with your choice of oil grade. I would be OK with most any Mobil1 oil being used as long as the temps coincide with the viscosity being used.
I am unsure right now, looking back through the posts I can't see what the actual mileage is on the car. If you are over 10,000 I would call the dealer and explain the "accidental" reset that was done and ask if they'll schedule the first A service.

Gilly

Change my oil
 

This is beginning to remind me of "Who's on first."

Original oil dumped at 4000 miles (no filter)
Second fill dumped at 7200 miles (new filter)
Mileage now 11540 miles
FSS says next double wrench B service with another change in 2400 miles.

Which means the present oil will be dumped at 9600 miles, less than the minimum 10000 that FSS would indicate anyway.

I think I'm fine.

ROGER E.

You obviously believe that the only maintenance required on the car is an oil change. YES in that case you are A-OK, Motor On pal.

Gilly

Roger,

I do change oil between trips to the dealer as indicated by the FSS system. I don't do anything except drain oil, change filter, refill oil. As far as the FSS service goes and what I expect them to do, nothing changes except I do some extra oil and filter changes at my expense between those visits.

As Gilly says, don't think that all the dealer is doing is changing oil and filter. My tech goes over the car pretty thoroughly on EVERY service whether it is A or B. Of course, he's my brother-in-law and friend of almost thirty years, but I expect that he does more than just an oil change on any car that rolls in his bay.

Have a great day,

Now what?
 

Gilly posts, pissed off I guess.

"You obviously believe that the only maintenance required on the car is an oil change. YES in that case you are A-OK, Motor On pal. "

How did you ever come to that conclusion? My cars are if anything overmaintained. What exactly do you expect me to do? The dealer has refused to do an early B service. And, I doubt that the engine air filter, the brake pads or any other normal wear item needs attention at 11500 miles. If they did I'd do it even if the dealer blows me off. My car has been in a t least five times to try to correct the built-in design defects with limited success. Don't ask about the cold air leaks through the rattling front doors or the failures of the programmable features to remember anything for more than a week or the damned keys.

The shop foreman at Phil Smart Mercedes in Seattle told me that I am their most knowledgeable customer. What I don't need is someone to count the wheels and refill my washer tank.

This discussion is closed.

as above
 

I suggest that Larry B post above is read.
I admire your patience Gilly.

Roger, both these posters have given tremendous help & unselfish assistance to us all over the years. I suggest you respect it.
Tigerfox