The right oil
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Dana Pt, CA
'95 c280 '93 190E '07 C230
The right oil
I have a '93 190E(175K) and a '95 C280(110K) that have been running with Valoline 20-50 and use no oil. A friend suggested synthetic and I said why with the milage on these engines? Any comments or suggestions?
Thank you
Thank you
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
I've "switched" several high mileage engines from dino to synth without issue. The "thick" viscosity argument regarding leaks is more myth than anything else.
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From: Las Vegas
1987 190E 2.3
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From: Rochester NH
1992 190E 2.6
The difference with a thin syntetic oil will be that it will clean out the gunk. Now some of that gunk on a high milage car will be 'fake' seals. when the gunk is gone, any problems with the gaskets will show up as leaks. This doesn't mean you will get leaks, just that it can happen.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 624
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From: Las Vegas
1987 190E 2.3
The difference with a thin syntetic oil will be that it will clean out the gunk. Now some of that gunk on a high milage car will be 'fake' seals. when the gunk is gone, any problems with the gaskets will show up as leaks. This doesn't mean you will get leaks, just that it can happen.
Last edited by Gullwing; Apr 18, 2009 at 05:17 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 193
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From: Bellingham, Wa
1989 190e
Some people make the argument that these cars were engineered to have the extra minerals and whatnot that conventional oil offers. Putting in synthetic may or may not be a problem/benefit. I ran Castrol Syntech for a while and switched back to Castrol GTX High Milage 10-W30. Mainly because of the price difference.
Also I would like to note that in my case, there seemed to be zero benefit from running synthetic, aside from the claim that you can change your oil every 5000 miles instead of 3000. But I don't like the idea of that very much no matter what kind of oil I'm running
Also I would like to note that in my case, there seemed to be zero benefit from running synthetic, aside from the claim that you can change your oil every 5000 miles instead of 3000. But I don't like the idea of that very much no matter what kind of oil I'm running
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Joined: Apr 2009
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1991 190E
Some people make the argument that these cars were engineered to have the extra minerals and whatnot that conventional oil offers. Putting in synthetic may or may not be a problem/benefit. I ran Castrol Syntech for a while and switched back to Castrol GTX High Milage 10-W30. Mainly because of the price difference.
Also I would like to note that in my case, there seemed to be zero benefit from running synthetic, aside from the claim that you can change your oil every 5000 miles instead of 3000. But I don't like the idea of that very much no matter what kind of oil I'm running
Also I would like to note that in my case, there seemed to be zero benefit from running synthetic, aside from the claim that you can change your oil every 5000 miles instead of 3000. But I don't like the idea of that very much no matter what kind of oil I'm running
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From: COSTA MESA
99' E320 4MATIC ESTATE / 92' 190E 2.6
I go about 3500-4500m between changes. My 92' 2.6l with 168000m usually gets about a quart low at 3000m. I add a quart of 10w-30 and drive her the difference, then change the oil. I have redone the head-gasket at 120000m (thanks to my brother-in-law who drove it for 20000 hard miles) prior to any damage or oil/coolant mixing and it just keeps on going. I always pass smog (maybe because of the 10 or so holes before and after the muffler) with ease but hey, It just keeps on going. I need new front struts in a bad way as I replaced the rear shocks to keep her saggy old behind from dragging but...it still looks good and until it leaves me stranded, I'm going to have to keep her!
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From: Bellingham, Wa
1989 190e
If I were going to change it would be 10W40, but honestly I don't understand how oil viscosity is measured, or which one is best to use.
Either way I wouldn't run 20W50 in these cars. It shouldn't hurt anything, but that is really heavy oil. There is a thread all about this in the W124 forum. I suggest you look at that, those guys are much more knowledgable than I am
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Joined: Apr 2009
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1991 190E
I've got 149,xxx miles. Some guys like 10w-30. some like 10w-40, 15w-40, etc....
If I were going to change it would be 10W40, but honestly I don't understand how oil viscosity is measured, or which one is best to use.
Either way I wouldn't run 20W50 in these cars. It shouldn't hurt anything, but that is really heavy oil. There is a thread all about this in the W124 forum. I suggest you look at that, those guys are much more knowledgable than I am
If I were going to change it would be 10W40, but honestly I don't understand how oil viscosity is measured, or which one is best to use.
Either way I wouldn't run 20W50 in these cars. It shouldn't hurt anything, but that is really heavy oil. There is a thread all about this in the W124 forum. I suggest you look at that, those guys are much more knowledgable than I am
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Mercedes 190E 2.6
Check Engine
I drive a 1990 190E 2.6. The machine drives smooth like silk. But i thought i need to change oil every 12,000 km. I reached 5,000 km & the CheckEngine red light came ON. After i changed the oil, the light went out. Did the red lightcome ON because i, maybe, used thin engine oil? I honestly dont know about viscousity of oils & which oil is best for my 150,000 mile machine, & after what distance. Pls help.
