I was helping my friend who owns a '03 C230K sedan do an oil change today, and I got all my tools and topsider pump out (the same type of oil suction device that MB dealers use) and popped the hood. I located the oil filter housing, but I was stumped since the C230K (1.8L version) doesn't have an oil dipstick!

It turns out that you check the oil level on the MFA on the dash, and there is no physical way to read the oil like on a regular car.

I use my topsider to do oil changes on my other cars by inserting the tube down the dipstick tube and into the bottom of the oilpan, but since the C230K doesn't have a dipstick that goes directly into the oilpan, we were stumped.

Is draining the oil from the oil pan via the drain plug the only way to do an oil change on the C230K? Or did I miss a tube from the top where I can insert my topsider to suck all the oil out?

All the MB dealers nowadays use topsider machines to do oil changes, so perhaps I missed something? We didn't have a drain pan ready today so we put off the oil change.

Any help would be appreciated.

PS: No "go to the dealership" responses please!

I think you may be able to suck the oil up from the oil filter housing...

I don't think I can snake the topsider tube down right into the oil pan through the filter housing. Does it pass through an oil cooler?

I suppose I could give it a try. Does anybody know for sure?

Thanks again!

I don't think it passes thru an oil cooler, I've also seen someone recommend that on this board somewhere...maybe try searching for it.

-G-

You don't see a tube going into the sump on the right side ?

The engine has a tube for the dipstick, it just is not easy to find. It has a plug on top of it to cover it so dirt does not get in. It is on the passenger side of the engine. This is what the dealer sticks the top sider in as well as there dipstick to check the level.

I saw this, but I wasn't sure if it was a tube that went into the oil pan. Guess I'll give it a try! Thanks!