clemson_tiger

After reading through forums and post's about diy oil changes on the C55, I attemped one on my '06. Super impressed with the ease of it as I thought it was going to be much harder. The filter was super easy there on the top of the engine. I replaced it with a NAPA 7078, which is a reboxed Mann (sp?). I don't have the suction device so I dropped the pans and did the oil drain plugs, which I read actually get more of the oil out anyway. The pans were what I was scared of a little before I actually saw them. I jacked up the drivers side of the car, scooted under and removed the 6 screws that hold the front pan on and then the remaining 3 of the rear pan. Drained the front of the pan first after removing the plug and lowering the car. I then did the back plug, reinstalled, filled with 7 qts of 0w40 Mobile 1 European Blend. After checking the on-board system I put another qt in and ran the car for 2 minutes. I then checked the system again and continued to fill until full...exactly 9qts, as it should be. Reinstalled the pans after checking for leaks. Thanks for all the help!

thtguy

yeah did my second oil change weekend before last, but I went ahead and purchased a MityVac fluid evacuator from Northern for the first change.

I just hate that it costs me almost $100 to do my own oil change. but when your oil alone is $8/qt+tax and you are putting close to 9 qts in. that is already $80 right there.

MIKESV8

it's once every year or 10,000 miles which ever comes first right? i've had my car for a little over a year and haven't done it yet. shoooooooooooooot

Quicktwinturbo

Make sure u remove two drain plugs.

C_DirtyTwo

I change mine about every 3,000 miles.....I wouldn't wait until 10k

MIKESV8

but you do the labor yourself right? i don't have the knowledge nor experience yet. i gotta see what my dealership will charge me to do it. they have my car right now.

mrobinso

I wasn't aware of the second oil plug in the rear of the tank when I changed my oil in later October. I replaced 8.5 quarts of Mobil1 0w-40 as required. I only got a "lower oil level" message once, about a week after the oil change. I didn't remove any oil at that time. No warning messages since.

Do you think I am hurting my engine at all because I didn't open up that second plug? Everything seems normal and I have driven almost 1500 miles since the change...

mrobinso

Found a decent answer here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...-question.html

Still not totally convinced I am a full-quart over-filled though... thoughts?

mrobinso

Just put my car into dyno mode to check the oil level. 9.01L so 9.52 quarts. Shoot - I have been driving around with too much oil. Will need to get an extractor ASAP. Anyone know a good place to buy one in NoVA?

JonMBZ

Your car will likely just burn the oil itself. I have added 2 quarts in between the last two oil changes.

mrobinso

Sorry I am freaking out a bit here, but JonMBZ, you think I should in all likelihood be alright until that remaining oil burns down? I am literally about to run out and try to purchase an oil extractor tonight.

JonMBZ

I think you should be fine unless you get the reduce oil level indicator.

Viper98912

I also thought there was something that would tell you if it was overfull and you had to reduce.

clemson_tiger

Based on what I saw drain out of the second plug, you left 1-2 qts of old oil in.

mrobinso

As I previously mentioned, I put the car in dyno mode and it read 9.01L or 9.54 quarts. This is slightly over the max capacity by the smallest margin, such a small margin that it is not even throwing the "reduce oil level" alert. My thinking is that by not unplugging the rear oil plug, I left one quart (approx.) in the tank, I refilled exactly with 8.5 quarts, thus getting me to the 9.5 quart level.

I would like to remove some of the oil without the hassle of heading under the engine, removing the plastic protective plate, and unbolting the lug. I don't have a mityvac or other liquid extractor because I prefer to use the drain method. I am willing to buy one, but would prefer to buy locally as opposed to ordering online and waiting for the package to arrive. Any ideas where I could buy one around Northern VA? I work in the Centerville/Herndon area. Also, I wonder if my local tire shop would have a liquid extractor?

mrobinso

By the way, I have already called all of the Advance Auto Parts in my area, they don't have what I am looking for.

Tump43

Any local boat supply shop or marina will have one. That's where I got mine. However, 2 day shipping on-line is probably your best bet.

mrobinso

To anyone interested, just bought this two gallon liquid extractor from Northern Tool for $60 shipped.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too..._465467_465467

AMGC

we talking about an oil change or replacing a head gasket here?

MIKESV8

i barely changed the air filters on my own, don't judge.haha

Zeppelin

You can drain the quart or two through one of the drains at the bottom. Just unbolt it and have it ready to go back in after what looks like quart or two has come out. Not that hard and beats paying for the extractor if you really don't want it.

mrobinso

Purchased the 2 liter Liquivac pump as referenced in the link below. See picture of the device right after I received it. I took out the extra quart of oil yesterday. Overall, the device is very straight forward and easy to use. I did have to pump the pump on the device more than recommended in order to keep the pressure up. I absolutely noticed a 1-2 mpg increase after I removed the extra quart of oil. I am happy I went ahead and removed the extra quart and I think in the future it will be nice to have the pump. I am not sure I would trust it for oil changes but we shall see.