topgun129

Hi,

First off, I'm new here so I'd like to start by introducing myself.

I'm a die-hard Mercedes fan and drive a 98 e320 Wagon. I've loved MB since being a kid and always will!

So here's the little issue:

I was poking around my engine and opened the engine oil cap and noticed a lot of a liquidy goop the color of mustard (more like grey poupon ) attached to the oil filter cap. I've never seen anything like this before.

Any ideas what it is or what it could mean?

Also I've always used Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic Oil 5w-30 on this car if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

uberwgn

That would be the wrong oil for the car, of course, as it does NOT meet the MBz spec for your car. However, that's not what's causing you to see the oil/water emulsion.

RobertG

My guess is condensation, not running your engine long enough for moisture to evaporate (short distance driving)

Hirnbeiss

Common issue with the M113. 3 Things you can due to minimize it:
1. replace the thermostat if it's old. New ones do a better job of keeping normal temp above 80C.
2. Drive long enough to warm up the engine thoroughly
3. Keep the little PCV vent holes in the top rear of the valve cover free of sludge. You can pull off the hose and stick a pin through the hole in the center.
(4. Move to Florida)

usaims

Florida is good living for Mercedes. You can wash your car all year round, it's flat here, no hills or mountains. Never run the heater and out of all the MBs I see on the road, I don't see rust or damages from salt being thrown on the road to melt the snow/ice.

usaims
West Palm Beach, Florida

topgun129

good suggestions and I will take them into mind.

another question: what is the right oil for this car if not 5w-30 mobil 1 synthetic?

lkchris

You require an oil that meets Mercedes specification.

That's Mobil 1 0W-40

mistertonyn

Just drive it hard and take it on long freeway speed to burn it off.
You need to switch the oil grade as recommended by other members.

uberwgn

We have this same formation on our '02 wagon when the weather is extremely cold. In the warmer weather it disappears entirely. It's not a result of short trips, our car sees a 35 mile highway commute 4 or 5 days a week - - most of it on the highway.

It's essentially impossible for me to determine if the accumulation is localized in the filler cap area or beyond that (you can't really see the top of the engine thru the filler cap). However, the UOAs are exceptional for this particular engine, I don't really worry about the condition and there's nothing unusual when the oil is drained.

topgun129

thank you all for your input. seems like it isn't to big of a problem. but the next oil change is due in 2k miles so i'm switching over to 0w-40.

also i wish i could move to florida! i live in the north midwest and it is april and it is still cold out!!!

uberwgn

I changed the oil in the wagon this weekend. As soon as the weather warms up, there is NO evidence of the oil/water mix, none. Everything looked quite good at this 9500 mile interval.

railspreader

i had the same thing on,my e320 benz.i was imform that it was condensation.
and now i take a nice ride in the am.just me and the benz,that work for me,now that i have retired
from the work force.will try and keep it,moving.benz are made to run.railspreader