Does anybody know the size of the engine oil drain plug on 94 C280? My last oil change was done by a dealer for $20 when they had promotion. Apparently they torqued the drain plug too tight. (Don't all the dealers change oil by sucking oil out from dipstick tube?) I swear I will never let others change oil for me again, no matter how much saving I get. Anyway, I need a new drain plug. Just went to a local auto part store and they have M14*15. I believe it means 14 mm in diameter and 15 mm in length. But I remember I used 13 mm wrench to loose the drain plug. Any idea?

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Harry (94 C280)

Just read an article in The Star, highly recommending sucking the oil out through the dipstick tube. The device they used was a "Topsider." Available from Griot's Garage (www.griotsgarage.com) for $40-$65.

I personally am going to buy one, after reading the article.

No more jacking up the car to change the oil!

They make the statement near the end of the article "MB cars have been designed for suction oil removal since 1976."

Chuck

Chuck-
You might want to search the Tech Help Forum and 1999 archives for "Topsider". You'll find a ton of info regarding it. Also, did you look at any of our DIY articles?

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

If I remember correctly, the dipstick tube is designed by M/B to be the actual suction tube for a vacuum device such as the Topsider. Has anyone ever tried to make an adaptor for their Topsider suction hose that would mate with the top of the dipstick tube? I am wondering if a few minutes at my lathe might be worthwhile.

Thanks for sharing the information about topsider. However, I have thought about that alternative and read the posts in the archive. Somebody says that he likes the feeling that hot oil drips on the hands. I kind of have similar feeling. By the way, The chassis of C280 is quite high that I don't need to jack up the car for oil change.

Anyway, back to the topic. Does any one know the size of the engine oil drain plug on a 94 C280? The one I saw in the store was a M14-1.5 (not M14-15). But I think it should be a 13 mm plug......

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Harry (94 C280)

Just to follow up the story...

I went to an independent shop to check if they have drain plugs in stock before I try the dealers. No, they don't. But I was told to try the lube shop next by. Surprisingly they did have the right sized drain plugs that fit my C280. They didn't expect to see the plug that was on so tight, but they managed to untight it at the second try. They unplugged the old one and put the new one in. During the process about 1/2 quart of oil was drained, but there was still enough oil in the engine to drive home. I was charged $10 for part and labor, which I think is very reasonable. The new plug seems to be of good quality. Of course you can buy one from dealers and ask the local lube shop to put it on. Anyway, it was a great experience and then I enjoyed my oil change once again.

Just a reminder to myself: I will never let others change oil for me again!

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Harry (94 C280)

Hi Harry;
One Caveat; make sure the drain plug comes with a new copper crush washer, otherwise you'll get a small oil drip from the drain plug.

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Darko Vusir
1994 C220

Hi, Darko:

Thanks for the reminder. The drain plug I got from local lube shop did come with a copper washer. I have read a message says that usually people have problem untight the plug because the washer was not on. However, in my case, the washer was on the stripped plug. The dealer had it waaaaaaaaay too tight.

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Harry (94 C280)