Oiling issue on cold mornings only
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Northwest NJ
'90 300E Blk/Tan
Oiling issue on cold mornings only
I recently changed from using 0W-40 Mobil 1 oil to using 10W-40 Castrol Syntec in my '90 300E. It seems that now if it is cool in the morning, unseasonably so, the valvetrain seems to clack for 3 or 4 seconds when I first start the car up. This only happens on a cold morning.
This would seem to indicate that the initial weight is too heavy on the oil, but according to the owners manual, 10W-40 should be fine for the engine, especially this time of year. Pressure gage doesn't seem to indicate that the oil pressure is weaker, or is instable. It shows 3 bars always when running, except at idle where it drops down to between 2 and 3 bars (as it always has.)
Anyone know off hand a) where is the pickup position in the oil pan, and b) is it common for the oil pumps to become problematic after 150k or so ?
This would seem to indicate that the initial weight is too heavy on the oil, but according to the owners manual, 10W-40 should be fine for the engine, especially this time of year. Pressure gage doesn't seem to indicate that the oil pressure is weaker, or is instable. It shows 3 bars always when running, except at idle where it drops down to between 2 and 3 bars (as it always has.)
Anyone know off hand a) where is the pickup position in the oil pan, and b) is it common for the oil pumps to become problematic after 150k or so ?
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
1992 300TE 4matic wagon
I recently changed from using 0W-40 Mobil 1 oil to using 10W-40 Castrol Syntec in my '90 300E. It seems that now if it is cool in the morning, unseasonably so, the valvetrain seems to clack for 3 or 4 seconds when I first start the car up. This only happens on a cold morning.
This would seem to indicate that the initial weight is too heavy on the oil, but according to the owners manual, 10W-40 should be fine for the engine, especially this time of year. Pressure gage doesn't seem to indicate that the oil pressure is weaker, or is instable. It shows 3 bars always when running, except at idle where it drops down to between 2 and 3 bars (as it always has.)
Anyone know off hand a) where is the pickup position in the oil pan, and b) is it common for the oil pumps to become problematic after 150k or so ?
This would seem to indicate that the initial weight is too heavy on the oil, but according to the owners manual, 10W-40 should be fine for the engine, especially this time of year. Pressure gage doesn't seem to indicate that the oil pressure is weaker, or is instable. It shows 3 bars always when running, except at idle where it drops down to between 2 and 3 bars (as it always has.)
Anyone know off hand a) where is the pickup position in the oil pan, and b) is it common for the oil pumps to become problematic after 150k or so ?
Kevin
