Differential Oil
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 22
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From: London, England
E280 W124 1995 24V
Differential Oil
I'm about to change the differential oil in my W124 E280 1995.
No type of oil or quantities are given in the handbook or my manual.
Can anyone tell me what should be using (and how much I need to buy). Should I use an additive (like molyslip)?
It's got no leaks and it only makes the slightest whine on the over-run. Although MB say it's not necessary to change the oil, I think after seven years is must be ready for a change!
No type of oil or quantities are given in the handbook or my manual.
Can anyone tell me what should be using (and how much I need to buy). Should I use an additive (like molyslip)?
It's got no leaks and it only makes the slightest whine on the over-run. Although MB say it's not necessary to change the oil, I think after seven years is must be ready for a change!
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 7
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From: YORK ENGLAND
W124 E280
I looked at a carlube oil guide today at local motorworld an it said a capacity of 1.1 (i dont know if it ment pints or litres)
and P90 oil if i remember fully, hope this helps.
TRY YOUR LOCAL HALFORDS OR MOTORWORLD THEY USALLY HAVE AN OIL GUIDE WHICH TELLS U THE CORRECT AMOUNT AND GRADE OF OIL.
and P90 oil if i remember fully, hope this helps.
TRY YOUR LOCAL HALFORDS OR MOTORWORLD THEY USALLY HAVE AN OIL GUIDE WHICH TELLS U THE CORRECT AMOUNT AND GRADE OF OIL.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
Hi,
from many years of driving high mileage W124's, I would not recommend to open the differential, unless you see severe leaks. The whining is totally normal and does not necessarily go away anyway. Under no circumstance additives!!!!
The quantity given by the last poster is 1.1 litres. But the measure is to have it filled just to the level screw on the side (refilling is a mess, and, as I'm convinced not necessary)
Regards
Bamberger
from many years of driving high mileage W124's, I would not recommend to open the differential, unless you see severe leaks. The whining is totally normal and does not necessarily go away anyway. Under no circumstance additives!!!!
The quantity given by the last poster is 1.1 litres. But the measure is to have it filled just to the level screw on the side (refilling is a mess, and, as I'm convinced not necessary)
Regards
Bamberger
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 550
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From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
Wow... thread necromancy major.
The common opinion in here is that "Life Time" oils are frauds. You should change your transmission oil, etc. However I don't know if that applies to the differential.
The common opinion in here is that "Life Time" oils are frauds. You should change your transmission oil, etc. However I don't know if that applies to the differential.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
Number One rule of changing diff fluid - ALWAYS remove the fill plug FIRST. If you drain the fluid and can't open the fill plug, you're in deep doo-doo. And the fill plug is generally more prone to seizure.
The capacity is somewhere between 1-2 qts. So buy two quarts and you're good to go. I recommend using a synthetic fluid such as Mobil 1 75W-90. The spec is 80W-90, but that's a popular European grade not commonly available in the US.
I also recommend 60K intervals with the synthetic fluid, 30K for non-synthetic.
The capacity is somewhere between 1-2 qts. So buy two quarts and you're good to go. I recommend using a synthetic fluid such as Mobil 1 75W-90. The spec is 80W-90, but that's a popular European grade not commonly available in the US.
I also recommend 60K intervals with the synthetic fluid, 30K for non-synthetic.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 800
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From: Northern Cali
W124
Yes you do have to change your diff oil. The recommended is 75-90 which mobil1 makes a synthetic and valvoline makes an organic and syn blend but is hit or miss as far as availability. +1 on kestas comment, get two quarts and you pretty much fill until the fluid level barely reaches the fill hole. Definitely no additives, you're not working on a ford.
