Mike F

Hi guys. I have been lurking for a while and have used the search function extensively but I cannot find the answer to this. Since the 2004 E500 does not have a dipstick, how do I use an oil extraction method to cahnge the oil? If I remove the filter first, does this give unobstucted access to the bottom of the engine and the oil pan? I also read that there is an access in the rear of the engine that MB techs can use to check the oil level using a dipstick. Is this true and if yes where is it and could someone post a pic. [URL=http://business.baylor.edu/Richard_Easley//autofaqs/getoil.htm] This is the link I followed , but the car in the demo actually has a dipstick. Sorry if this has been posted before, but I just can't seem to find this answer. TIA

Randy B

There is a dipstick type tube toward the rear of the motor next to the firewalll. You will see one for tranny and one that is not marked with a cap. That is the old tube.

Mike F

Thanks for the reply. Just one other question. Do you guys use plastic tubing down the dipsick hole or copper tubing as is mentioned on the last method of changing oil on the post I referred to in my initial post?

Randy B

Not sure, I use plastic, that came with the syphon.

nyca

I don't think this is exactly the setup, because the car in this article has a dipstick. but at least this shows the use of the topsider, and mentions how to flare the end of the siphon tube. as the other poster said, just be sure you don't drain the transmission!

http://www.mercedesshop.com/diy_oil_change2.htm

usafvet

picture from mblearning

Randy B

USAFVET,
Do you have the link to the that site. Mine has gone dead.

Thanks,
Randy

onpaws

last i checked, they restricted access. any way around it?

michael10128

yeah, if anyone has a non restricted link to the learning site, let me know.

usafvet

my link is dead too. http://www.mbusalearning.com/w211ele...ound/index.htm doesn't work. the main menu is at http://www.mbusalearning.com but like what others have said it's restricted. only wish i was able to download videos before they closed access.

Mike F

In the picture I only see one tube. That's the one I found at the rear of my car-the one with a tabbed cap on it. The cap is only about 2-3" long, so I assume that is for oil and not to check tranny fluid. I will drain only a little out to be sure before I do the whole drain process. Thanks for your input!

Adobe

Here are instructions for draining oil from an M113 engine using the Topsider extraction device. It even comes with pictures. Although it shows the dipstick, later versions should have the dipstick tube in the same location...I assume.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/diy_oil_change2.htm

JimPurdy

My understanding is that the tube closest to the firewall goes to the transmission and the one under the aircleaner leads to the oil sump.

Mike F

I guess I'll have to take the air cleaner off then and take a look. Either way I'll only drain a little out at first just to make sure I've got the right one. Wouldn't want to end up posting on this board under stupidest things you've ever done : "well I once drained out all my tranny fluid thinking it was oil and then tried to add another 8 qts of oil through the correct oil fill site. The car smoked like hell and the tranny seized up on my first ride!!"

norb

Plus, MB actually designs their engines to be "drained" from the top, why do you think they bothered putting the filter on top.

I think in Germany this is how their equivelant "Jiffy Lube"s change oil.

Dzul

MikeF,

I am in the same boat as you, my '04 W211 has no dipstick and only one dipstick like tube near the firewall, passenger side of the car.

Is this the oil or transmission dipstick tube?

vettdvr

WARNING. There IS a tranny tube and oil tube on the back. The oil tube will have a round cap and is closer to the passenger side. The tranny will have about a retangle shaped cap with a small tap about 1/4" wide,3/16". Don't break the tap. This is the seal on the transmission.

You really don't need this tube to change oil.

I do as conventional,, pull the plug, drain, and refill through the filter housing when changing the filter.

vettdvr

Sign me up for dumb things. I drained the tranny and added 4qts of $100 MB fluid to the engine. Started the engine up,, would not move. Realized the error,, added another $100 of fluid to the tranny,, then bought $50 of oil and $25 filter to drain and refill the engine. So you aren't alone.

Imagine if MB had the wisdome to put a LABEL on these as EVERY OTHER car maker does.

vettdvr

You haven't looked down far enough to see the other tranny tube. It will be located under the manifold air intake about 6" below it. The oil tube will be higher and to the right of the vehicle.

Dzul

Vette,

Thanks for your quick response! I'll have to take a closer look.

Dzul

Vette,

Thanks again, your post made it clear and I got the oil changed successfully.