Not to start any controversy, but I went to buy 10w 40 and the on line site said it was not recommended for my 2.6 190e.

 

I can only tell you what my 2 cars used back in the day. Yes one in 88 and the other in 89.
88 in Portland Oregon used 15W40 - Diesel oil
89 in SJ California used 10W40

Both service records show this from day one.
So there is not magic but I do believe for california weather 10W40 was used by the dealer.
So I sometimes use 10W40 and other times 15W40 for either car.

15W40 is very common at the auto stores. 10W40 is becoming less and less available Dave.

What is your service records showing since it was originally in San Jose?

 

When back thru the records ( from 2001), 20w-50, 10w40, and most recently 10w-30 latest is 5w-30. The PO changed shops and oil weight.

While doing the upper timing cover seal, with the valve cover off, I noticed a varnish like deposits on the timing gear, no sludge but the oil is dirty. Neglegable camshaft wear. I think I'm going to try LiguiMoyl 10w-40 semi synthetic. My understanding is that s synthetic oil has some cleaning properties.

Thanks dolucasi.

 

If your car has substantial mileage, you might want to consider a synthetic oil labeled for high mileage -- these are promoted as having additional detergents.

 

I do not know oil science but it seems the 15W40 conventional diesel oil has detergents to keep the engine parts clean as well.
40K miles after I had the cylinder head re-done on the '89 the valve train still looks brand new. And this engine burns quite a bit of oil which makes the oil dirty quickly like in 2000 miles. Still the engine parts are not getting dirty.

I shy away from synthetic oils because I have heard that they may not be good for rubber seals in these old cars. Neither car leaks oil and they are in the $200K miles range so I would rather not create trouble now.

So I use conventional oils and change them frequently, ever 2000-3000 miles. With the oil extractors it is super easy to change oil.

 

In summer I have been using 15/40 and switch to 5w40 synthetic in winter. Temperatures in winter smetimes (now rarely) go down to -40c but -30 is still not uncommon and -20 is normal for much of the winters which begin in November and end in March. I have found that synthetic seems to pour easier than non synthetic. Like Doucasi I have a now use a vacuum pump oil extractor and the filter sits on top so oil changes are easy peasy. I don't drive the car much in winter now (maybe 1000km) so I usually save the oil I removed and use it for two seasons each. I haven't noticed any leaking oil except that timing cover weeps a bit which it has long before I began using synthetic.

 

5w40 on my 190e customers

they pretty much have always used 10w40, and they were not picky.. i think it was a conventional fill back in the day

 

Mileage is 98,000 - Would you consider this high mileage?

 

Mobil 1 labels its high mileage oil as applicable for 75,000 miles and up.

 

Thanks for the reply. I decided on LiquiMoly 10w-40. It's a semi synthetic so it should have good flow on cold start.

What type of oil extractor to you use? Ive been wanting to get one.

 

I dont have that engine so I looked on the Mobil website to see what they recommend. For my W204 the operators manual specifically mentions using Mobil oil, for whatever reason. I know they have a partnership, the disposable paper floor mats the MB dealer puts in the car while being worked on says Mercedes is partnered with Mobil oil.

For my M272 engine I use the Mobil 1 FS 0W-40. I use it based on operating temps, it gets really cold around here in winters, and because I can get it locally pretty cheap for around $25 for 5 quart jug. Also once in awhile Mobil has good rebate offers on there website, received a few $10 gift cards, one time I got a nice Mobil 1 cooler bag. My W204 has over 156,000 miles and I typically put 7,000 miles/yr. My goal is to change the oil and filter at least once a year but i find myself changing it more often the past 2yrs. It doesnt seem to consume alot of oil, I may add 1/4 - 1/2 quart during that time just to keep the level at the full line on the dipstick.

I change the oil both ways, with a small 12v electric fluid pump thru the dipstick or go under the car and drain it from the plug. Just depends on it I feel like going under the car and inspecting everything.

Anyways, heres what pops up on the Mobil website:

 

My best advise would be to use one of the oils on the MB approval list that should be in the owners manual.

 

Since 1997, all MBs leave the MB factory with Mobil 1. For older classic cars that already have thousands of miles on them, synthetic isn't the best choice because most of the engine wear has already taken place. The synthetic oil is best to start using when a car is brand new. It's the early miles that synthetic is so good at protecting against early engine wear. My engineer father worked for Mobil and knew the man you originally developed Mobil 1 and that's what I was always taught.

 

Yes, you're getting into high mileage territory. Much of the engine wear has already taken place so that reduces the synthetic oil's protecting against engine wear.

 

Sounds like you have a seal that needs to be replaced.

 

FYI, my engineer father never used diesel oil in any of our gas powered cars. If your car is now burning a lot of oil, there is a reason that the oil is getting by to the point of burning that likely should be further investigated. I would be looking if it was my W201. Just my 2 cents.

 

Given that my engineer father worked for Mobil, I've only ever used Mobil 1 for my W201 2.3. I've owned my car since it was brand new. I've never had an issue. Synthetic isn't the best choice for cars with lots of miles already on them because most of the engine wear takes place in the earlier miles. Synthetic is really good for protecting a gainst engine wear in new cars. This is what my engineer father always taught me. It works for my W201.

 

You're welcome. I use an oil extractor called a "TOPSIDER". Not cheap for a simple tin can with a vacuum pump but it works.

 

Brand loyalty, family connections and marketing partnerships should not sway your own research into the best oil for you. First, look for a weight that is appropriate to where you live. Next decide if you want full or semi synthetic oil. Next, remember that the oil specs of today are not the same as they were yesterday. Todays oils are formulated for long oci, reduced emissions, and lesser oil waste but NOT longevity of the engine. The oils may provide that longevity if the oil changes are done on a normal 5000mi average oci, but not at ten, twenty, and thirty thousand miles. Synthetic oil is the best choice. Its been used in Europe for 50 years. Its an old wives tail that synthetic oil makes a car leak. The car leaks due to warn out seals that are now cleaned of their deposits by the synthetic oil. For your car, you can use basically anything you like in the proper weight range, but you dont need an oil that performs best in a gdi engine because you dont have one. Though I have not used it, the Valvoline restore and protect is getting rave reviews if you have any oil consumption. Sure, its not Euro blend, but that should not matter in your case imho.

 

I got a very good deal on Petro Canada synthetic 5W40 Diesel engine oil to use this winter. The oil has a CK-4/SN rating which means it is also suitable for gasoline engines so I assume that it will be OK. I change the oil twice per year (Spring &Fall) and only drive the 190E about 4-5km or about 3000 miles tops.