E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Low Oil Warning

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Old Oct 3, 2007 | 01:44 PM
  #1  
Richard / E320's Avatar
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2001 E320
Low Oil Warning

I have a 2001 E320 with approximately 3,600 miles on it. The last oil change was a year and a half ago, and has been driven 700 miles since then. The Low Oil warning display has come on five or six times now in the last two weeks. I've checked the oil repeatedly, and initially even took it in to be checked at Mercedes service. All checks have shown that the oil level is at the proper level and the oil looks good... not dirty in the slightest. The tech said he didn't see the need to change the oil and the computer tells me the next service is still 9900 miles away.

At one point I put in a small amount of oil but a few days later the warning came up again. No leaks, oil level is exactly correct... any ideas why the warning?

Thank you,
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Old Oct 3, 2007 | 01:56 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
That few miles

I would change the oil and filter anyway and check the level when done.You are not doing the engine or the other systems any good by not driving the car.Matter of fact you are doing harm.Moisture is one of the biggest enemy's to a car that sees little use.It collects in the engine, the exhaust and other systems.Lack of use alone can cause the oil level sensor to get lazy,change the oil,fleece filter,mobil 1 0w40and go drive it weekly at least and long enough to come to temp at hway speed.The engine will love you for it.
Also run the a/c to keep the seals and gasket and parts lubricated.
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Old Oct 3, 2007 | 02:03 PM
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Richard / E320's Avatar
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Originally Posted by ohlord
I would change the oil and filter anyway and check the level when done.You are not doing the engine or the other systems any good by not driving the car.Matter of fact you are doing harm.Moisture is one of the biggest enemy's to a car that sees little use.It collects in the engine, the exhaust and other systems.Lack of use alone can cause the oil level sensor to get lazy,change the oil,fleece filter,mobil 1 0w40and go drive it weekly at least and long enough to come to temp at hway speed.The engine will love you for it.
Also run the a/c to keep the seals and gasket and parts lubricated.
I am going to take it in for an oil change; I didn't realize that time-wise, the last oil change was so long ago. The vehicle is driven daily...
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Old Oct 3, 2007 | 02:15 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Long enough

to heat it up?At least 30 minutes a week at hway speed to burn off the condensation that accumulates in the engine and muffler and cat converter.That same moisture from incomplete drive cycles plus the fuel that leeches into the oil past even the best rings in an engine are part of the reason to change the oil yearly even in a collector car of great value that hardly sees the light of day.
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Old Oct 4, 2007 | 03:54 AM
  #5  
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190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
When the engine oil sludges up then it starts to play havok with the oil level sender. I'd be changing the oil, and then again in another 6 months.

Not driving the car or very little use can do more damage than driving it heaps.
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Old Oct 4, 2007 | 06:57 AM
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omg Richard, you still don't drive that thing,
by now I could have bet you'd have at least 4,000 miles on it


it's a good idea to change oil every 6 months if you don't aquire miles.
also of course Stabil in your fuel or Seafoam
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Old Oct 4, 2007 | 09:09 AM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by Eurosport
omg Richard, you still don't drive that thing,
by now I could have bet you'd have at least 4,000 miles on it
LOL, I like it!

Most engine mfrs will recommend an annual oil change when adequate miles aren't accumulated.

Richard, just have that blasted oil level sensor in the pan swapped out for a new one when during the oil change (when the pan is empty )...it's no big deal. IIRC, the part is around $60 and there are two 10mm bolts holding the lil' bugger in place. Access is very good. The sensors are a problem and known to fail.
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Old Sep 19, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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'08 CL600 with 152k km; '01 E430 4Matic with 433k km; '17 Porsche Cayenne with 130k km
Oil sensor replacement

I'm looking to have this done, however, I really don't want to have the dealership do it. What is it that I need to purchase and what is the protocol to perform this procedure?
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Old Sep 19, 2008 | 04:13 PM
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From: COSTA MESA
99' E320 4MATIC ESTATE / 92' 190E 2.6
Sorry, I don't have that answer however, the sensor on my 99' 4matic wagon went out and it took three tries by the dealer i bought it from to correct the small oil leak that wouldn't stop after replacement. the upside of the three trips back to the dealer i bought the car from was...

A. They fixed the issue free of charge

B. This is the best part.Our loaner car on and off for about a week was an 01' e55. What a rocket!

Too bad we cant get the wagon version of the e55 here in the states. I would love to find at least the seat back tray that they have on the euro e55 wagons. Even just one for my daughter on road trips.
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Old Sep 19, 2008 | 05:34 PM
  #10  
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
order

part,drain oil,suction method,pull sensor ,replace.
done
fill oil
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 03:43 PM
  #11  
Richard / E320's Avatar
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From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
Originally Posted by ohlord
part,drain oil,suction method,pull sensor ,replace.
done
fill oil
Old thread, but still getting error messages after a fresh oil and filter change. Vehicle now has approximately 5,300 miles on it. I had been getting error messages stating oil high, oil low (though oil level was exactly correct on dip-stick) and Per. Serv. On Time, then showing 9,800 miles to next service. (B).

Changed oil and so far, only getting Per. Serv. On Time, which the owners manual states means that a proper oil level check cannot be performed (inside garage, level).

I scanned through the Performance Products catalog but didn't see a sensor; what's the specific part name I'm looking to replace? I'm not even sure what it might look like; found this on AutohausAZ. Is this it?

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...&cid=20@Engine Parts, Seals %26 Gaskets&gid=5700@Oil Level Sender

Thank you,

Last edited by Richard / E320; Feb 24, 2010 at 03:51 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 06:33 PM
  #12  
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98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Richard -

Have a load test done on your battery. Not driving much is also very hard on batteries. Two of the symptoms I had as my battery was failing were 'low oil level' and 'bad oil level sensor'. Both completely disappeared when I put in a new battery.

Your link is broken. Here is link to the sensor:
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...Level%20Sender

Job requires removing lower half of oil pan. Install new sensor -- two bolts. Then 'building' a new gasket out of sealant and re-attaching oil pan. No hard but might be tricky for first timers.

Good luck.

Last edited by RichardM98; Feb 24, 2010 at 06:37 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 06:35 PM
  #13  
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98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Originally Posted by Richard / E320
Changed oil and so far, only getting Per. Serv. On Time, which the owners manual states means that a proper oil level check cannot be performed (inside garage, level).
Thank you,
The electronic 'test' of oil level requires a 5 min wait after turning off engine for the oil to completely drain to the pan. If you try to check before that, it'll say wait longer.
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 06:40 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by SLOPESTAR
B. This is the best part.Our loaner car on and off for about a week was an 01' e55. What a rocket!

Too bad we cant get the wagon version of the e55 here in the states.
You can special order a E63 wagon. Much better.
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 07:21 PM
  #15  
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This thread might help:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/...l-problem.html
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 01:35 PM
  #16  
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Mercedes E320 1997
Dear Richard, Hope u be fine and Enjoying.
If u love ur car must change engine oil on time, its not an expensive job. I usually change oil & filter after every 3 months. The man at service center often say that u r mad to change oil so frequently, but this little effort can save me from big loss.

Dear, can u tell me how to check oil level from dash i.e "electronic level check". I have 1997 E320. I got all the manuals but they r in German. Plz email me as I do not use forum very frequently.My email is momeen80@gmail.com.

Thanks
Regards,
Momeen Khan
Saudi Arabia

Last edited by Mony78; Oct 18, 2010 at 01:38 PM. Reason: forget something to write
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 01:57 PM
  #17  
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98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Turn the key to position 2
Wait for message "Display Oil Level"
Press 'O' button twice.
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