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Engine oil discussion again.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
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From: Norway
'01 E280T 4M
Engine oil discussion again.
Hi folks.
I’m trying to figure out the best oil for my upcoming oil change on my ’98 C43. The manual states to use oil compliant to 229.1. However, some say that 229.1 is kind of obsolete and that I could – or even should - use oil as mentioned in 229.3 or 229.5. What are these lists? Are they revised over the years so that 229.5 is the one to go by these days?
My car is now 26 years old and of course lubricants develop. Therefore, recommendations also might change. I see that…
I had a discussion with a friend that previously worked with jet turbines. He had attended an oil seminar a while back regarding lubrication of jet turbines. Of course, they pay much attention to this aspect as they work with high performance machinery. He talked about some threads in the oil that held the lubricant elements in the oil together. The stronger and more resilient these threads were, the better the oil. These threads where torn down by temperature, age and other factors, and reduced the oils ability to lubricate over time. If this is the case, then I would assume that there are great differences between all the oils on the market. Tables 229.1, 229.3 and so forth only mention the producer and 0w-40, w5-50 etc. I find this very strange. Someone should really be able to tell us what the best oil for our old engines would be…
I’m trying to figure out the best oil for my upcoming oil change on my ’98 C43. The manual states to use oil compliant to 229.1. However, some say that 229.1 is kind of obsolete and that I could – or even should - use oil as mentioned in 229.3 or 229.5. What are these lists? Are they revised over the years so that 229.5 is the one to go by these days?
My car is now 26 years old and of course lubricants develop. Therefore, recommendations also might change. I see that…
I had a discussion with a friend that previously worked with jet turbines. He had attended an oil seminar a while back regarding lubrication of jet turbines. Of course, they pay much attention to this aspect as they work with high performance machinery. He talked about some threads in the oil that held the lubricant elements in the oil together. The stronger and more resilient these threads were, the better the oil. These threads where torn down by temperature, age and other factors, and reduced the oils ability to lubricate over time. If this is the case, then I would assume that there are great differences between all the oils on the market. Tables 229.1, 229.3 and so forth only mention the producer and 0w-40, w5-50 etc. I find this very strange. Someone should really be able to tell us what the best oil for our old engines would be…
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
You can dig around in here and find all the specifics
Mercedes-Benz Operating Fluids
MB recommends Mobil1 0w-40 or equivalent for the W202 M113 engine. If you live in a hot climate, go for a 5w-50 weight.
Mercedes-Benz Operating Fluids
MB recommends Mobil1 0w-40 or equivalent for the W202 M113 engine. If you live in a hot climate, go for a 5w-50 weight.
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Jul 27, 2024 at 03:36 AM. Reason: Added link
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 322
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 458
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C43 AMG with a tune up
229.3 or 229.5 is no problems to use.
If your engine is in good condition you can go with 0W-40 engine oil.
If you have engine issues you can go with a thicker oil like 5W-40
If you don't have oil leaks but will have some day?
FYI, most engines will have oil leaks from rear main seal or front seal where the harmonic balancer sits on crankshaft.
If you fix oil leaks on time you could do an oil treatment with Omega917 gasket rejuvenator.
Most parts shops sell this gasket treatment.
You need to calculate how much you need to put in the engine for 7,5L engine oil.
Info you can find on the bottle.
If your engine is in good condition you can go with 0W-40 engine oil.
If you have engine issues you can go with a thicker oil like 5W-40
If you don't have oil leaks but will have some day?
FYI, most engines will have oil leaks from rear main seal or front seal where the harmonic balancer sits on crankshaft.
If you fix oil leaks on time you could do an oil treatment with Omega917 gasket rejuvenator.
Most parts shops sell this gasket treatment.
You need to calculate how much you need to put in the engine for 7,5L engine oil.
Info you can find on the bottle.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 322
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
The rear main seal though was weeping a bit when it went to the new owner
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 36
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From: NNJ
'98 C43
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 322
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Common issue, but if it doesn't drip on the floor, I would forget until you have to either remove the engine or transmission.
