C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

C55 Oil Issue

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Old 03-22-2009, 12:20 AM
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03 cobra
C55 Oil Issue

Hey guys,

Let me preface this thread by saying that I've been around cars for a while and know my way around them. I'm coming off of a couple of high hp cars but this is my first go round w a benz. I say this not to be cocky but just feel like an idiot and need some help from u guys.

I searched and googled but didn't really see anything on my problem.

This is my first oil change in the C55. I pulled the drain plug (didn't use a pump bc I'm a domestic guy at heart and just didn't use one). Anyway I pulled the drain plug and went inside the house to take care of some things. After a few minutes i back outside and see that it is done draining. I screw the plug in and put the new filter in. I add oil and think I'm done.

To my horror I take the old oil from the drain pan and go to place it in the old containers and find I only have 2 qts of oil that came out. Of course I don't drive it, and check the oil through the comp. Oil level check says its ok. Haven't had the car that long, and got a 'add qt of oil' message which is when i decided to go change the oil. No leaks either as far as i can tell.

Have any of u guys run into this issue? Did i just burn through a crazy amt of oil or is there something off.

Again I know im a rookie when it comes to benz's and should have been more careful so hopefully I don't get too flamed here.

Thanks
Old 03-22-2009, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by dirty k
Hey guys,

Let me preface this thread by saying that I've been around cars for a while and know my way around them. I'm coming off of a couple of high hp cars but this is my first go round w a benz. I say this not to be cocky but just feel like an idiot and need some help from u guys.

I searched and googled but didn't really see anything on my problem.

This is my first oil change in the C55. I pulled the drain plug (didn't use a pump bc I'm a domestic guy at heart and just didn't use one). Anyway I pulled the drain plug and went inside the house to take care of some things. After a few minutes i back outside and see that it is done draining. I screw the plug in and put the new filter in. I add oil and think I'm done.

To my horror I take the old oil from the drain pan and go to place it in the old containers and find I only have 2 qts of oil that came out. Of course I don't drive it, and check the oil through the comp. Oil level check says its ok. Haven't had the car that long, and got a 'add qt of oil' message which is when i decided to go change the oil. No leaks either as far as i can tell.

Have any of u guys run into this issue? Did i just burn through a crazy amt of oil or is there something off.

Again I know im a rookie when it comes to benz's and should have been more careful so hopefully I don't get too flamed here.

Thanks
I'd really like to know also....
Old 03-22-2009, 12:31 AM
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that's crazy.. are you sure you drained all the oil out? Did you check for any leaks? I don't think you could have burned 6-7qts of oil.
Old 03-22-2009, 12:36 AM
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in the morn im going to double check for leaks, but i never had any oil puddles or drops in my garage.

yea i didn't think there was any way i burned through that much oil.

it was not too long ago that i realized there was no dipstick so that was def a change for me.
Old 03-22-2009, 12:45 AM
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I know what you mean with the dipstick... when I first got my C32 I was pulling on it like crazy but later found out it does not come out.

Here's what I was do if it was my car with the oil....

I would drain the oil again just because.. in case all the oil did not come out and you poured 8-9qts fresh oil you might overfill.

With my C32 if I get low on oil I just pour 2 qts.
Old 03-22-2009, 12:54 AM
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yea prob it end up doing that. Thanks
Old 03-22-2009, 01:32 AM
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Did you remove all 2 drain plugs? I think theres 2 for our cars... Anyway.. If there were only 2qt in the system, computer would've let u know.. "add 1qt" msg will pop up when you are driving or when the engine is running...

Very strange problem....Do keep us update.

good luck

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Old 03-22-2009, 02:28 AM
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was searching on here for the other one.was thinking there might be 2 after this issue. didn't really find anything on that. was going to check in the morn. def only pulled one. the one close to what looks like the radiator drain.
Old 03-22-2009, 11:27 AM
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2 oil plugs- without draining both you didn't get it all out.
Old 03-22-2009, 02:33 PM
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yes there are 2 drain plugs..one before and after the cross member, both will need to be drained and should yield approx 8.5 qts i believe...
Old 03-22-2009, 06:51 PM
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03 cobra
yea feel like an idiot. missed the 2nd drain plug. Pulled out 15 something qt's of expenisive of mobil1. lesson learned.

the funny thing was a couple of buddies before the oil change told me i might have 2 plugs. which i quickly looked around for. when i only saw one i didn't think anything of not having 2. the deal was it was behind the second under panel. which i didn't even remove.

anyway thanks for the help guys.
Old 03-22-2009, 10:45 PM
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Glad everything worked out and glad you asked on the forum! Imagine you were driving around with 15qts?
Old 03-23-2009, 08:10 AM
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I don't imagine he would have been driving long with 15 qts....
Old 03-23-2009, 09:20 AM
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yea luckily i didn't drive any....
Old 03-23-2009, 11:00 AM
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kinda on topic-with no dipstick (I havent had the luxury of an oil change yet in the C55)-how/where do we check the level (tell me we dont trust the computer that much...)?
glad you found the prob w/o having to start the car-good to know that the rear drain plug is back there a ways-
thanks for the post!
Old 03-23-2009, 12:54 PM
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The computer is pretty reliable as far as checking your oil is concerned. It also calculates when your next service is due based on your driving habits (something the dipstick won't do)
Old 03-23-2009, 12:57 PM
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Service I leave up to track time (depending on the event-fluids get replaced, ect)-I was wondering-when doing the change-how do you know what to put back in-just assume that I drained 8.5-and put back in 8.5? That's a little odd to me...too much oil is a bad thing in book....
Old 03-23-2009, 01:20 PM
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well if you COMPLETLEY drained the car it does not matter if you drain 5,6,7 or 8.5... you always put 8.5. It's just like any other car.. if 5qts go in you're gonna put 5qts right? Or am i not understanding the question..
Old 03-23-2009, 01:47 PM
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Right-but I'm one of those people that likes to know "exactly" what to put back in kinda thing (ie-used the dip stick often)-also to check levels between changes (to see if its buring any, ect)
Old 03-23-2009, 02:12 PM
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I do my own oil changes on my C55. Drain method from both plugs. I have never measured what i've taken out as I drive the car less than 1,000 miles per year, I don't use any , and have never had a low oil warning.

I have the factory dipstick which I use each time. I pour exactly 9qts everytime, and the dipstick reads exactly 160mm each time. 160mm is the correct level on the correct dipstick.

9qts is the rated capacity per the manual.
Old 03-23-2009, 03:05 PM
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perfect....now where do I get the dipstick (mine es no esta aqui).
Old 03-24-2009, 09:29 PM
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have read more on this and found that you are supposed to be able to tell how much oil is in there per dyno mode. i tried this and saw a reading that read ol: 8.1l . Is it correct to assume that is telling me i have 8.1 litres of oil running through? ~8.55 qts?

Last edited by dirty k; 03-24-2009 at 11:06 PM.
Old 03-24-2009, 09:29 PM
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03 cobra
and also interested in where to get dipstick
Old 03-24-2009, 10:59 PM
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Easiest and most accurate method is to utilize a suitable (semi-flexible) rod inserted into the extraction tube.

Once it’s bottomed against the inside of the pan, the oil’s level is then to be read up from there.

Last edited by splinter; 10-06-2010 at 07:02 AM.
Old 10-24-2009, 11:28 AM
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My post from a different thread was incorrect, it was a typo that I tried to edit and correct, but I guess there is a time limit for editing. As noted in this thread, it is 165mm. I double checked the tick mark that I put on my dipstick used at oil changes - 165mm. Sorry for any confusion.

Last edited by kjb55; 10-24-2009 at 11:28 AM. Reason: spelling.


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