Oil problem with 2000 e320
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Louisville
2000 e46
Oil problem with 2000 e320
i went to add a quart of oil and found this under the oil cap...
i pulled the dipstick and the oil just looks a little dark. I know this is a problem so the car is going into my shop this week. Any insight before i take it in?
i pulled the dipstick and the oil just looks a little dark. I know this is a problem so the car is going into my shop this week. Any insight before i take it in?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
Believe it or not, this might be "nomal" in the winter with many short trips. The M112 engine did not have the most efficient crankcase ventilation system and that oil filler neck is very long. It is caused by moisture (water) condensation.
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From: nyc
E320 2000
I hope thats not a problem because my always looks similar to that when i add oil. I think it just happens to be that way because the oil is cool and i guess thats what cool oil looks like.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
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From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
My advice is to ignore the FSS system and always change oil in the spring. After the winter, there should be a lot of moisture in the oil and that affects the lubrication and anti-corrosive quality of the oil.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
2000 E320 Sedan
Same Here
My 2000 E320 has the same thing. I have 117K miles. I am now using 5w40 Mobile1 but also had it when the recommended oil was 0W30. I have no idea what it is, but I clean it off occasionally with paper towels.
Bob
Bob
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 270
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From: Western Michigan
2003 E320 4Matic Wagon & 1997 E320
Right. Regular cleaning and frequent oil change are about the only things you can do., It is just another Mercedes design flaw.
I was even thinking about a small modification to the oil cap. Drill a hole and then install a nipple so I can attach a hose to it and let the hose vent to the ground. I have not done it yet.
I was even thinking about a small modification to the oil cap. Drill a hole and then install a nipple so I can attach a hose to it and let the hose vent to the ground. I have not done it yet.
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Actually, I think the correct oil is Mobil 1 0w-40, the 5w-40 is diesel engine oil, and 0w-30 is not approved for use in Mercedes. If I saw this on my cars I would not be happy, since it means water is getting into the oil (head gasket). Try using 0w-40 and watch your coolant level.
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Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Louisville
2000 e46
Actually, I think the correct oil is Mobil 1 0w-40, the 5w-40 is diesel engine oil, and 0w-30 is not approved for use in Mercedes. If I saw this on my cars I would not be happy, since it means water is getting into the oil (head gasket). Try using 0w-40 and watch your coolant level.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
2000 E320 Sedan
5W-40 is new reccomended oil
Actually, I think the correct oil is Mobil 1 0w-40, the 5w-40 is diesel engine oil, and 0w-30 is not approved for use in Mercedes. If I saw this on my cars I would not be happy, since it means water is getting into the oil (head gasket). Try using 0w-40 and watch your coolant level.
Bob
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
the peanut butter looking substance is normal. The best thing you can do is just wipe it out or take off the filler neck and clean it out. What causes it is condensation building up in the engine and not being completely burnt out. This usually happens on cars that don't see alot of highway time or never get driven hard atleast once in a while or when people do alot of short driving trips like if they live very close to work or the car only gets driven to the store around the corner once a week. I wouldn't worry about it, but I would suggest changing your oil and taking your car out for a spirited drive once in a while. 
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
2000 E320 Sedan
That doesnt make sense....
...........This usually happens on cars that don't see alot of highway time or never get driven hard atleast once in a while or when people do alot of short driving trips like if they live very close to work or the car only gets driven to the store around the corner once a week. I wouldn't worry about it, but I would suggest changing your oil and taking your car out for a spirited drive once in a while.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
alright.. so does the car ever see anything higher than 2500 RPMs? Eventhough it is cold up in that area, I would let the car warm up to operating temps and then go beat the **** out of it for about 10 minutes.. If you don't feel like doing this then there are a few engine oil additives and cleaners you can use to get most of the gunk out of the engine.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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I'm diving a 2000 E320 4matic 70mi round trip to work every day, put 31,000 mi on it last year, and unfortunately exceed 120 mi/hr at least twice weakly (all highway driving to work
), and yet I still get the same thing in my oil cap. BTW I switched to the new oil recommendations last oil change 3/07.
), and yet I still get the same thing in my oil cap. BTW I switched to the new oil recommendations last oil change 3/07.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 244
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From: Hunterdon County
'06 E 350 4matic wagon; '05 E 500 4matic sedan; '09 S550 4matic
I saw the same thing this winter and got worried for awhile. I only noticed it in the cold weather and I did have low oil a couple times this winter. Glad to hear it is "normal".
