SRTnAMG

Hello, I recently purchased a 2003 e55 amg with 90k miles on it. Everything was running great, took it for a oil change and inspection. The Mercedes shop put 5w-30 oil and said thats what it takes. I took their word for it because they're the mechanic.

3k miles later, I went out to dinner then after pull up to my driveway and hear a loud tapping noise coming from what seems the valve train.

edit: mechanic came to my house declared spun bearing

sgaar

I depends on the brand of oil they put in. The MB recommended oils are listed on spec sheet 229.5 for your engine - http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html - and as you can see, 5w30 is approved but not for all brands.

An oil with a 30 weight will be more viscus at operating temperature as opposed to a 40 weight oil. This translates into the oil not 'sticking' to the internals of the engine and it could provide less lubrication. While that is good i cold climates it might not work if you live in the South.

N_Jay

3k miles is nothing in terms of wear even with the "wrong" oil.


If it is a lubrication failure it was already happening.

despicable merc

who change oil? did you check level? 8.5 quarts for your car. It might be overfilled... When they change it they have to suck some out! if they didn't suck it out there could be 2 more quarts of old oil.. last time i changed i went to Mercedes again and told them to check it using dipstick the car was overfilled with 2 quarts

jaxfl

MY 2006 W211 E350 does not have a dipstick.

despicable merc

They have dipstick tube but no dipstick in them. it's behind engine cover.. closer to the windshield wipers. There are two tubes cover with safety lid the one which sits lower is for transmission fluid and the one which is higher to the top is for oil.

beemer guy

Bummer. How long have you owned the car?

N_Jay

Well, "Bummer", unless you were planning a rebuild and just needed a push.

SRTnAMG

1 month.

despicable merc

Damn! paid like 12k? Should have bought 06-07 E350 for that money.. Same mileage though! Couple of days ago i saw 03 e320 with 35k on it, senior(one owner) driven for $12k

N_Jay

If the car is nice build an engine.
If not, part it out.


Since you changed the oil when you first got it, (you did 3K miles in a month?) I bet the seller knew something was not right (unless you over-reved it, or let it run without oil)

SRTnAMG

changed the oil to mobil 1 euro formula 0w-40 and Wix platinum filter, noise went away O.O

Scary.

:O

N_Jay

Not a spun Bearing then.


Change mechanic!


Is he the one that did the oil change?

SRTnAMG

Yes, he did the first 5w-30 oil change when I got car. You get what you pay for, they had a oil change special :/ I paid 18$ for my oil filter and 56$ for 9 quarts of 0w-40 live and learn my friend.

This time around I did oil change myself and everything couldn't be better !!!!!
mobil 1 0w-40 and Wix Ultra platinum filter.

Could it have been lifter noise mistaken for spun bearing!!??

despicable merc

Yes, did u see the old one?

SRTnAMG

oil was very thin and dirty, no metal shavings

N_Jay

3K miles should not have thinned even 0w30 that much.


I would keep a close eye on things.


Maybe get a baseline oil analysis and one in 5K miles.