Fernando

Well after trying with several MB Dealers in my area to get the Oil Service dipstick, so I could do my own changes accuretly.
I finaly found a dealer that sold it to me!
Now for the question How the heck do i read it? There are numbers on it I assume they are milileters????? Please help
What is the proper oil level for my 2002 C240 (Auto if it makes a diff)

Thanks All in advance.

Fuzzo

i didn't know you could get a dipstick for the sedans.... where does it go.. i guess i should look more carefully eh...

Fernando

There is a dipstick cap on the rear left of the motor this is just a cap for the hole where MB Service senters can put a dipstick in. I had a hard time getting the dealrs to sell me the toolas they said it was a tool for certified dealers only.... I just dont know how to read it.

Buellwinkle

The electronic oil level check is so bogus. Mine says add 1 qt. yet the dipstick oil level is 3/4 of the way from add to full.

To get the info you want you'll have to bypass the service advisors and walk onto the service bays and ask a grease monkey yourself. Just walk in there like you own the place and nobody will question you. If someone stops you tell they asked you too come in and look at the damage.

awiner

MBtech208 should be able to answer this one for you. You may want to repost this question to him in the Tech Talk area.

Rainers

I guess MB really does not want to sell you one because at that point it would become an option. Imagine a $40,000.00 car and a dipstick as an option.

Seriously, I think every car should have one. Why? Because you should not have to turn your car on AFTER an oil change to check the level.

Please post the part number and the price. I am interested in purchasing one.

Thanks

WebGuyNJ

What justificatation if any did they give you for not seeling the dipstick. I think you would have a consumer complaint about being forced to go to the dealer for oil changes and oil.

Fernando

During my many calls to various MB Dealers their responses where all alike ”This is a service tool only for certified MB Service centers…..There is no need for you to purchase as the computer onboard will do the job”
If the computer is so perfect why is the hole for one there? If I’m willing to pay for it sell it to me! There may be reasons for the car not coming with one and they may be right about the computer being good enough. BUT if I wish to do my own accurate oil changes on dates other than the specified ones I have all the right. I figured I would be doing many future oil changes on the car and if you want to look, feel and smell the oil without draining it this is the tool for you.

I will post the part number and exact cost tonight when I get home.

I’m still awaiting an answer on what the correct reading is on the dipstick if anyone knows?

MarkL

I fully agree that having a dipstick allows you to see the level more accurately, but just FYI, you don't actually start the car to get the oil reading. You just turn the ignition on. It sounded like you were concerned about some damage if the level was too low.

As I understand it, the hole is also used by the dealer to suck out the oil -- they don't use the drain plug. So, it's not just for the stick...

Fernando

Since it can also be used to suck the oil out where do I get the pump for that? Or what equipment can I buy to do that?

MarkL

Not sure, but maybe one of the tech guys can help out here...

mbtech208

After you do an oil change, check the level on the dipstick. The proper reading is between 148 and 168 millimeters.

Mike T.

Does the range 148-168 mm represents the difference between "maximim" and "minimum"? How many litres of oil (or portions of a litre) are represented by this range?

mbtech208

I guess you could call it a minimum and maximum range, yes. But Mercedes doesn't call it that. I don't know the amount of oil from 148-168, but I like to keep it in the middle when doing an oil change, say around 155-160. Get too close to 168 and you could trip the "Oil level high" warning light.

Buellwinkle

mbtech208,

If my C230 dipstick reads 3/4 of the way between the add and full lines on the dipstick but the electronic measurement gizmo says to add 1 quart, which is more accurate?

mbtech208

If the engine is cold, 3/4 of the way between add and full is perfect. It allows for oil expansion when the oil is hot. Trust the dipstick, not the gizmo.

KWiK

The Scavenger

crackerm

Can someone please post the part number and references
to places that will sell a dipstick. I am on this
list of people that just can't live with out one.

Thanks,

GhiaDad

I, too, would like the part number for the dipstick....

On the question on what to use to suck out the oil, any boat store has several kinds of "oil suckers", ranging from drill-powered pumps to plastic and metal vacuum cans.

For instance, go to www.westmarine.com , click on "Engine Systems" and "Oil change pumps".

kompress

Is there a drain plug so that I can change the oil the old fashion way, once my service period is up??

crackerm

Here is some additional info I have received from multiple
vendors.

Part number 112 010 05 72 but this listed for the M112 E24 series 112.912

120 589 062 100 - Measuring stick from europarts.com
with a quote of $134.00 + 10 shipping.
This is probably the correct part number as they described
it as a tool used for measuring oil and I believe
people previously mentioned MB considers it a
tool now instead of actually being a part of the
vehicle.

I have also been wondering if there is a drain bolt. I always
assumed there wasn't because people are so obsessed
with draining from the top which in 99% of time will
not get all the oil like a properly placed drain bolt.
Anyone who has taken a part an engine block and
seen the dipstick tube should realize this. Granted,
I have never worked on a MB engine block.

Smoky

I know there is a drain plug in the C230K, but you have to remove the bottom engine cover, 9 bolts. This is the smooth cover that cleans up the air passing under the car. I've seen where the dipstick goes on a domestic engine, and I wouldn't want to pull out only the oil this reaches. I use a pump on my boat to get the oil out, and I know it reaches to the bottom of the sump.

I'm sure the MB engineers would make sure that the recomended method of getting dirty oil out of the engine, would get all that is needed.

My thoughts....Smoky

crackerm

Smoky, thanks for the description. I can't believe I have
not looked under the car yet. I have had it for only
two months and haven't seen everything.

The cover would explain why people pull from the top,
but even US engineers would have provided a service
hole and etc for oil changes. Like I said, I have
not seen a diagram of my engine block, but I still
don't believe you could get everything from the top.
I know that is a nit point, but I am so frinking pissed
I spent money on a car without a $134 dipstick
and I can't change the oil by dropping one bolt
where gravity, which is still free, empties the
the block. My point being, if I want a real
time accurate oil level and want to drain the
oil I have to spend extra money on a car. How
many other cars in production are like that ?
I don't care that it's a MB, there is a lot to be
said for the basics.

jelecroy

I think I'll make my own dipstick from some aircraft control cable. Seems less costly than the MB tool. When I've changed the oil on my C-240, I think I got it all - the removal tool I use has markings and I got over 8 quarts out. The dealer may be in more of a rush - every time I've had the dealer change oil, a couple days later the oil level too high warnings come on. I guess they put their pump on it for a while, without warming the oil so it will flow easily, and then add the factory-specified amount on top of what they left in the sump.
Here's what the sump looks like, for folks who have not removed the bottom cover. It does have a drain plug, not visible in this photo.

whitecar2003

Hey MB Tech208:

Did this spec. change for 2003 C-Coupes and specifically the 1.8L engine?