Morde5

OK, this is my 4th diesel in the US - 2 VW TDIs and 2 MB 1996 and 2005. I am a gearhead and absolutely **** about my cars. I usually run them over 200K miles and do most of the work myself, including timing belt and chain changes, front end overhauls, brakes etc.
The questions:

1. OIL - I change every 7000 miles. It may be overkill but... that's life. I work with computers and don't trust them. Do you know what is the reason for using Mobil1 0W-40 (beside the marketing agreement between MB and Mobil)? I have had a great experince with M1 synthetic Delvac diesel oil. Has anybody tried it? There is nothing special about the CDI engine except the common rail - just another cast iron inline 6.

2. When you measure oil level with the dipstick tool what is the correct measurment in milimeters on the stick? The stupid computer told me "Oil levet too low - add 1 quart" I did! Now it says "Oil level too high - drain some." I will save the expletives and would appreciate if someone knows the dipstick answer. Mine shows 140 mm.

3. Time for ATF change. I usually do it around 60K. What ATF do you use? Do you change just the AT or torque converter too? Does the torque converter have the drain plug as before? Or you just take it to a place for hydrolic pump full flush?

4. What brake fluid you use? Time to change mine.

5. How long to change the poly-v belt? I know the fan assembly has to go down. On my BMW 5 series was the same and it was pretty straight forward. How about the CDI? Is it painful?

TIA

Silly_me

I bought oil from the dealer, he handed me M1 5w30, it was the stuff that didn't say it was MB 229.5 certified.... so who knows? I think 0W40 is the only current 229.5 M1 approved only stuff now? The CDI doesn't have particulate filters so I don't know how much it matters.

06e320cdi

If you do most of the work yourself, it would be worth 2 things, one is a membership to MBCA, you get good discounts at MB dealers for parts and service. Other is the Service DVD for the W211, it contains a wealth of knowledge.

anewbie

Is there a part # for the DVD? What's the best place for mail order? Thanks!

06e320cdi

I got mine through MBUSA. Interestingly enough, the DVD for the w211 was cheaper than the one for my w210. If you have windows 7, you will have use VIRTUAL XP Mode in order for it to work. If you go over to MBCA forums there is a link to the STAR magazine. I have been lpurchasing most of my items from either mercedespartspeople.com or bmwmercedes.com they give 25% discount on parts for MBCA members

lkchris

"What oil do you use" is NOT a question for a Mercedes forum.

Mercedes specifies the oils to use, and the motor oil MUST meet MB229.5 specification (229.51 is OK) Delvac doesn't--just ask Mobil.

Same with transmission--it's a Mercedes only fluid and PepBoys doesn't have it.

As for your 7K mile oil changes--sorry to hear you're so hard on your cars. Leaving it in longer is better for them.
http://papers.sae.org/2007-01-4133/

Guess being "****" should surely include being informed.

Morde5

I got the DVD. This is one of the first things I do when I buy a new car. Is somebody aware of hard copy service manual like the Bentley ones? They are more convenient - one can copy the necessary pages and make notes on them. Having laptop beside while working is not always convenient.

Morde5

Thanks. The dealer offered the same to me. I didn't buy because their price was exorbitant - I could buy cheaper. I have driven my diesels with M1 0-30, M1 0-40, M1 5-30, M1 Delvac1 (diesel oil) and Shell RotellaT synthetic (diesel oil)
Several years ago I had a long conversation with tech. support engineer from Mobil who was very knowledgeable and helpful. He confirmed that the new synthetics are so advanced that they exceed the diesel engine requirements and diesels can be driven with any of these oils with viscosity depending on climate conditions of course.
I am just curious to understand what dictates the MB recommendations for diesels. Gas engines are obvious - E55 AMG high revving 500 HP engine surely has different lubrication needs but the oil burners...??? Go figure.

Morde5

Kent,

Finally!
Thank you for your definitive answer to my questions! Thank you for letting me know what IS and what is NOT a question allowed for post in this forum!
The article you quote is correct. Synthetics maintain their lubrication qualities for many miles. Still, I don't drive fleet vehicle but my own. I drive in very heavy traffic every day with lots of idling and stop and go. The price difference in changing oil often is negligible versus engine repairs and wear.
After 25 years working as engineer and building factories in five countries on four continents, I would definitely strive to achieve your level of confidence and knowledge!
Thank you again! Reading your posts is always a pleasure!

Morde5

I am definitely considering joining MBCA. The only reason I have not done it yet is that beside regular maintenance the car has not given me any troubles (Thanks God!) so I keep procrastinating.
By the way does anybody know how to check the firmware version on my COMMAND system? There was a post on the forum but it doesn't seem to work for me. Am I doing something wrong? The posts about the new firmware are pretty positive and I would like to try it!

stickygreen

Ran M1 0w40 in ours for the first 100k, then switched to the 229.51-spec M1 ESP Formula M 5w40 and gained a little MPG. Engine has purred since day one, and now has almost 140k without ANY leaks, drips, or consumption. OCI was 7500mi with the 0w40, and is now 10k mi with the ESP 5w40.

Honestly, I would say that with 7500mi intervals, any quality 0w40 or 5w40 should work fine. Delvac 1 5w40, M1 5w40 TDT, Rotella Syn are all good choices. However, all 3 of our MB's have always (and will always) run Mobil 1 because of it's track record in our cars. Even my ~250k e320 with m104 engine (which is prone to head gasket leaks) is running perfectly without ever having been opened.

Morde5

Yesterday finally changed diff. fluid and oil. Diff. fluid from my MB dealer 2 1 liter bottles @ $25 per bottle. Oil from Wall-Mart Mobil 1 0-40 (will probably switch to 5-30 next change) $6.30 per quart. Mann filter from the web - $14 (dealer asks $28 for same - insane). Labor - $40 for 30 min at my independent mechanic. Nice guy - I like him because he is very careful and lets me in the shop so I can chat with him and poke around. Usually do that stuff myself but working in 100 degrees was not very exciting prospect.
Oil level on the dipstick tool - 135 mm. 140 mm. is the top limit. Over that you are overfilling. Computer is happy and keeps its mouth shut. New diff. fluid made the car running even smoother.

stickygreen

Do not switch to a 5w30 oil unless it at least meets ACEA A3/B3/B4 long drain & high HTHS specs. A normal 5w30 has too low of an HTHS for these engines, which require an oil with >3.5 HTHS.

There are some thick 30wt oils that will work well - M1 5w30 ESP, German Castrol aka Syntec 0w30, and maybe even M1's 10w30 "high mileage" formula, but I would personally stick with a 0w40 or 5w40 for your engine.

Morde5

Raj,

Thanks! After reading your post and doing some research I will probably stick with M1 0-40. Here is interesting read

http://www.atiel.org/members/pdf_files/ACEA%20Stow.pdf

It is from Ford - London but addresses diesel engines in general. It is interesting that the dealers push for these engines M1 5-30 ESP. It seems that 0-40 is the better choice. Hmmm....

DubVBenz

I'm using Pentosin 229.51 spec oil in my bluetec. Pentosin is an approved MB synthetic.

stickygreen

ESP has low sulfated ash, which 0w40 does not, and is therefore unsuitable for the newer DPF/Bluetec vehicles. The ESP 5w30 is supposed to be the only M1 low SAPS automobile formula that is approved against several manufacturer specs. We are now using the ESP 5w40 FOrmula M in the CDI, which is only approved against 229.51 and it seems to be working at least as well as the 0w40 did previously.

The ESP 5w30 and ESP 5w40 FOrmula M would also work very well in your motor, as they both have an HTHS >3.5 and meet 229.51.

Do a google search for Lubrizol's page on different manufacturer specs, and it clearly shows what the different specifications address.

bookman888

So much confusion over correct engine oil ...and so many people swearing by one or another on old diesels without particle filters.. Don't trust the dealers, either. Mercedes Massapequa on Long Island was recommending M1 Formula M 5W40 for diesels but not the "ESP" version. Non-ESP does NOT meet MB Spec of 229.51 but is fine for gassers using 229.5. The buggers don't want to carry 2 kinds of Mobil 1 but their non-ESP does not meet MB's own spec!

There are other 5W40 synthetic oils available besides Mobil 1 that are acceptable to MB.Here's the only link that matters on the subject from MB's Extranet assuming the manufacturer's engineers know it better than anyone else...
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.51_en.html

If you have a modern MB diesel 2007 and up with particulate filters, with or without an Adblue tank , MB is finally clear that the engine oil must meet 229.51 standard e.g. low ash, low-sulfur at the correct range of 5W40.

For USA market, here are some short-listed, generally available 5W40 oils that meet 229.51 approved by MB whatever their marketing deals w/ Mobil! There are other approved oils in the 5W30 and 0W40 ranges.

1. Mobil 1 "ESP" Formula M 5W40 ($8/Quart at Pep Boys)
2. Valvoline Synpower 5W40 HST
3. Shell Helix HX7 5W40 (on a separate MB accepted listing)
4. Agip Formula Prestige 5W40
5. Castrol Edge 5W40 A3/B4
6. Castrol Edge 5W40 Turbo-diesel
7. Gulf formula ULE 5W40

Hope it helps.

TheGreatOne45

they dont even use M1 for oil changes, i picked my car up yesterday from mb massapequa after an a service. i asked and specified that i only wanted M1 oil used but they used valvoline synpower and synpower is written on my receipt

bookman888

Interesting. I went over to MB Massapequa to pick-up various filters (combo, fuel & auto transmission) for 40,000 mile service that I plan to do with my own mechanic. Massapequa actually sold me 12 quarts of M1 5W40 M Formula (non-ESP) @ $7/each. When I realized that the non-ESP M1 was the wrong oil for my Bluetec diesel, I returned it and found the correct M1 ESP 5W40 oil at Pep Boys in Bay Shore for $8/quart. For your gas engine E350, either non-ESP M1 or Syntec is perfectly appropriate but not for diesels which was the point of my post. Thanks for the info, I'll continue to avoid the misinformed, outrageously priced dealers for all but warranty service.

SEC1939

I am using Fuchs Titan GT1 Pro Flex 5-30w meets MB 229.51 spec.This is a German oil mfr. I have a 05 CDI. Keep in mind the bottles are 1 Liter not a quart so be careful not to over fill.

I was using a Total oil formerly Elf. Also good stuff