How many quarts of oil does a 1984 300 SD require? The book says 7.9 but after changing the filter if I add more than 6.8 quarts, the dip stick indicates the engine is over full.

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Jacob Wissler Jr., Houston, Texas, 1984 300 SD

How did you change the oil? Was the engine hot? How long did you let the oil drain?

Personally, I change it while the engine is as hot as I can stand and then let it drain overnight.

There will still be some amount of oil left in the oil cooler and the oil cooler lines that you won't get out. After I do this, I add 8 gallons and it typically brings the oil level right up to the FULL mark on the dipstick YMMV.

Oil level reading is best, most accurately, done after the engine has been off and sitting on level ground for a couple hours. This gives the oil time to drain down to the pan. Hope this helps.

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

Jacob, are you checking the dipstick after starting the engine or right after filling? I pour in 6 quarts, idle for a couple of minutes, then add about another quart to have it settle between the min and max marks. It's the same whether I use the drain plug or Topsider.

Chris, 8 gallons? Are you using the filler cap as a dipstick?

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I believe MB issued a service bulletin for the 617.951 restating the system capacity at 7.5 liters, down from original 7.9. Don't quote me on this as I'm going by memory. If you consider what's still in the oil cooler and their lines; sounds like ~ 6.8 qts. to me.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

sixto:

Hehe...I was just waiting on someone to catch that

I meant 8 qts....obviously. LOL

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

has anyone tried the new synthetic rotella t ??

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1994 S-350 6cyl Turbo Diesel 158k

1998 300d 6 cyl Turbo Diesel 143K

1993 2.5 124 Turbo-Diesel 236

1990 2.5 124 Turbo-Diesel 228k

1983 SL-500 EURO W/HEATED SEATS 40K

SOLD 1977 Jaguar XJ6 Coupe Antique Roadster 85K

SOLD 1993 2.6 6 cyl 190 E 150k

SOLD 1992 2.5 124 Turbo-Diesel 204k

RIP 1992 124 300 TD 265K OIL PUMP QUIT @ 85MPH

Your SD has the same engine that is in my TD. I put 2 gallons (8 qts.) of oil in at every oil change. I buy Delo 400 at Walmart, comes in 1 gallon jugs. I also change the oil when it's hot and wait for the oil stream from the pan run down to a trickle before putting the drain plug back in. Add my 2 gallons, start the engine and let it idle for a couple of minutes, then shut her off. While the oil is draining back into the pan, I clean up all my rags and tools, then check the oil. It's always been at the full mark.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

That pretty much sounds like my procedure, Rick.

Chris
'85 300SD

I am not a mechanic, so I go to the local oil change place, where I watch them, and make sure they use 15/40 Rotella. They drain the oil, add 8 quarts, and it is always 1.2 quarts over full.

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Jacob Wissler Jr., Houston, Texas, 1984 300 SD

Jacob,

If you know what a wrench is and can remove a bolt, you can definately change your own oil. The fact that the oil filter is SO conveniently located makes the job THAT much easier. You don't even need to jack-up the car to get to the oil drain plug (bolt)....at least us skinny guys don't

Save yourself $20'ish and try it one time.

As for the overfilling, the only thing I can think of is that the shop is not allowing a complete drain of the oil. OR, your engine is one that takes a smaller amount of oil for some reason (pending that your dipstick is reading correctly).

Chris
'85 300SD

Doesn't the 8 quarts also include the oil in the oil cooler which correct me if I'm wrong doesn't drain when you drain the pan?

"Doesn't the 8 quarts also include the oil in the oil cooler which correct me if I'm wrong doesn't drain when you drain the pan?"

rdanz:
I believe so....but, this has been working for me. I don't know why. YMMV.

Chris
'85 300SD

I just got back from my mechanic and was charged $47 for my oil change (380 SEL) and I even supplied the filter. I hate to mess up the driveway, and also hate to have the high school drop out messing up my car.

Scott

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Scotty P.