No dipstick
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Lynn, FYI (Digital camera - don't need one)...
Originally posted by Lynn
Mbtech, I don't have a digital camera or a scanner, but I'll see what I can do.
Mbtech, I don't have a digital camera or a scanner, but I'll see what I can do.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Deja vu...
I feel better now 
. I thought no one was paying attention to my posts 
. Last night, I noticed that people with C230's were saying they had a dipstick and the sedan guys didn't. I tried to post this observation, but ran into the darn post problem and I didn't have time to wait for eternity. When I started reading mbtech's post about the engines, I thought, didn't I already say this? But alas, it wasn't so.
. I thought no one was paying attention to my posts . Last night, I noticed that people with C230's were saying they had a dipstick and the sedan guys didn't. I tried to post this observation, but ran into the darn post problem and I didn't have time to wait for eternity. When I started reading mbtech's post about the engines, I thought, didn't I already say this? But alas, it wasn't so.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
Re: Lynn, FYI (Digital camera - don't need one)...
Originally posted by MarkL
Lynn, I got a lesson from MB-BOB a few months back when I got my C240. You don't need a digital camera or a scanner to post pictures to the board. When you get your regular 35mm film developed, many places offer to also have it put on a CD. This CD includes the software needed to view and do some basic cropping, sizing, etc. You just load that CD on your computer and save the picture as a ".jpg" file. Then you find the "upload pictures" button (I think it's under the "user cp" section -- select this at the top of the forum page). Then, when you post a thread, you include the pointer to your uploaded picture.
Lynn, I got a lesson from MB-BOB a few months back when I got my C240. You don't need a digital camera or a scanner to post pictures to the board. When you get your regular 35mm film developed, many places offer to also have it put on a CD. This CD includes the software needed to view and do some basic cropping, sizing, etc. You just load that CD on your computer and save the picture as a ".jpg" file. Then you find the "upload pictures" button (I think it's under the "user cp" section -- select this at the top of the forum page). Then, when you post a thread, you include the pointer to your uploaded picture.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
As I sit here reading and laughing...my girlfriend walked in and asked "what's so funny?" I showed her your posts.....and she said we're "all a bunch of dipsticks" and walked out....
I just HAD to share that with you guys. You're often more entertaining than battle-bots!
I just HAD to share that with you guys. You're often more entertaining than battle-bots!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
My C230 has a dipstick with a red tip. It reads about half way and sometimes when I check my oil electronicly it says add a quart and sometimes it says it's OK. I'm glad it's got a dip stick to verify it.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by mbtech208
The proper range on a C-class is from 148-168 millimeters on the dipstick.
The attached images are of the $120 W 120 589 07 21 00 Shop Dipstick Tool.
Is this acceptable range for the oil level, on my vehicle, as measured with this tool still valid? For example, the on-board computer says the oil level is okay, while the dipstick reads 168 mm.
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 15,769
Likes: 37
From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Story. Little long winded.
Went for my first service A. Knew dyno mode. Got car back. MB computer read a certain level. Checked with dyno mode. SA saw the #s. Added another 1.25 qts. 3 month later the FSS level kept creeping up. Got to the point where the FSS read 0.5 qts high. MB computer still showed max level. Was explained that due to length of time, driving, etc. oil thinned a little bit and the sensor for the FSS opened up more.
HTH
Went for my first service A. Knew dyno mode. Got car back. MB computer read a certain level. Checked with dyno mode. SA saw the #s. Added another 1.25 qts. 3 month later the FSS level kept creeping up. Got to the point where the FSS read 0.5 qts high. MB computer still showed max level. Was explained that due to length of time, driving, etc. oil thinned a little bit and the sensor for the FSS opened up more.
HTH
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,200
Likes: 1
From: TX. 78738
c230 kompressor
Originally Posted by young
do these help? the dipstick came from the lower right... you can see the loop - it sort of twists out.
btw, its 1AM and you have me looking at dipsticks... i think i have truly entered the realm of car geekdom
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
So it looks like older 2.3 C230's have the stick.
Everyone else C240 / C230K 1.8 / C320 / C32 all have caps, NO dipstick
Those with exceptions, please post. Everyone else go play with your dipstick or pop your cap.
Everyone else C240 / C230K 1.8 / C320 / C32 all have caps, NO dipstick
Those with exceptions, please post. Everyone else go play with your dipstick or pop your cap.
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
The oil level system on my wife's '04 Cayenne Turbo is MUCH better than my '05 C320 Sports Coupe.
On the Porsche there is both a dipstick and an electronic level check system. The level check system operates after the engine starts, each time.
On all my prior vehicles my practice has been to check the oil level at each fuel fill. On the Porsche I observed a gradule decrease at each check. When the level reached the minimum mark on the dipstick I did not have a funnel handy. So, when I started the engine the low oil alarm went off. The removal of the oil when wiping the dipstick clean dropped the level below the threshold.
After observing this again many miles later I concluded that this automatic system performs as intended and now only check the level with the dipstick infrequently.
The MB vehicles would benefit from a system like this. Belts and suspenders. Also, it is GREAT to not be required to select the proper menu, with the engine on but not running, then wait for the system to report the test results. Just start and go, it'll let you know.
The other down side to no dipstick is it is not possible to LOOK at the oil. Determining when the oil starts to look dirty is helpful in planning vehicle oil change intervals.
On the Porsche there is both a dipstick and an electronic level check system. The level check system operates after the engine starts, each time.
On all my prior vehicles my practice has been to check the oil level at each fuel fill. On the Porsche I observed a gradule decrease at each check. When the level reached the minimum mark on the dipstick I did not have a funnel handy. So, when I started the engine the low oil alarm went off. The removal of the oil when wiping the dipstick clean dropped the level below the threshold.
After observing this again many miles later I concluded that this automatic system performs as intended and now only check the level with the dipstick infrequently.
The MB vehicles would benefit from a system like this. Belts and suspenders. Also, it is GREAT to not be required to select the proper menu, with the engine on but not running, then wait for the system to report the test results. Just start and go, it'll let you know.
The other down side to no dipstick is it is not possible to LOOK at the oil. Determining when the oil starts to look dirty is helpful in planning vehicle oil change intervals.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Nowhere
2001 C320 Sport
This was the first thing that pissed me off about my C - class.
I came from a world where I changed the oil ever 3-4K miles.
So, I was in shock when I couldn't find a dipstick.
My anger let to another mistake, a MB TOOL(dipstick), which
set me back something like $120.
Hence, they can be purchased if needed.
I came from a world where I changed the oil ever 3-4K miles.
So, I was in shock when I couldn't find a dipstick.
My anger let to another mistake, a MB TOOL(dipstick), which
set me back something like $120.
Hence, they can be purchased if needed.
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 15,769
Likes: 37
From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Or one can buy 111-010-11-072 for less than $20. Its a dipstick from a 4cyl that will fit. The add and full marks are off of course. In my case I use the full mark as the add and all is well. HTH
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by mbtech208
I don't know what you guys are saying about your 203s having oil dipsticks, but I can assure you they are not the shop dipsticks. Every 203 I have seen has had the cap on the dipstick tube. The shop dipstick is long, and to measure the oil level with it, it has to be inserted until it bottoms out in the oil pan. Even fully inserted, the remainder of the dipstick sticks out of the tube by a good 6 inches. And it doesn't read like a traditional dipstick either. The shop dipstick is marked in millimeters. The proper range on a C-class is from 148-168 millimeters on the dipstick.
Thanks in advance,
Bud
