Oil Consumption concerns
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2009 E350 4Matic Sport sedan
Oil Consumption concerns
My beloved '09 E 350 (131,000 miles), and diligently maintained, has started to exhibit unusual engine oil consumption. ( I always use M1 10/30W synthetic oil.) At 125,000 miles as I scheduled an oil change, I checked the oil level and it was down 2 quarts (Yikes!). Recently, as I prepared to schedule another oil change (at 130,000 miles), it was again down 2 Qts, plus there was some brown & reddish oil residue on the dip stick (double yikes!). I added two qts. and the oil level rose to the "safe" range. There are no apparent leakages of any fluids.
Is this oil consumption typical? What's causing the sudden brown and reddish residue? (I intend to get the used oil analysed.)
How "tolerant" are the 350 engines about low oil levels? With an 8.5 qt. oil capacity, I would think (hope) that a temporary drop of 2 qts. wouldn't be too dangerous..)
Thanks in advance for all responses. We love our E 350 and intend to keep it for awhile.
relinuca
Is this oil consumption typical? What's causing the sudden brown and reddish residue? (I intend to get the used oil analysed.)
How "tolerant" are the 350 engines about low oil levels? With an 8.5 qt. oil capacity, I would think (hope) that a temporary drop of 2 qts. wouldn't be too dangerous..)
Thanks in advance for all responses. We love our E 350 and intend to keep it for awhile.
relinuca
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E
Switch to M1 0-40 first off like all owners. Why are you using 10-30? Is that even approved weight?
there shouldn’t be any residue either so that’s very concerning. check for oil in coolant reservoir.
there shouldn’t be any residue either so that’s very concerning. check for oil in coolant reservoir.
Last edited by ps2cho; Mar 1, 2020 at 11:02 PM.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Yeah, you're using the wrong oil. It's supposed to be an MB 229.5 oil. There is no Mobil 1 10w30 oil that meets that spec. Use Mobil 1 0w40 as mentioned earlier. That's what many of us here use and it's an approved oil with the MB 229.5 spec on the back of the bottle.
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html
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fleet
something is off. these cars do not use 10w30 otherwise I would be cheapin out and running $1.50 a quart farm and fleet oil.
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0w40 should theoretically be thinner at start up than any 10w30, so unless you’re in Antarctica and the engine never gets to operating temperature I don’t see why anyone would ever need 10w30.
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fleet
i did a quick google for 09 e350 oil type , and sure enough it says 10w30 on reference chart lol
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
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From: USA
2006 E320 CDI
My beloved '09 E 350 (131,000 miles), and diligently maintained, has started to exhibit unusual engine oil consumption. ( I always use M1 10/30W synthetic oil.) At 125,000 miles as I scheduled an oil change, I checked the oil level and it was down 2 quarts (Yikes!). Recently, as I prepared to schedule another oil change (at 130,000 miles), it was again down 2 Qts, plus there was some brown & reddish oil residue on the dip stick (double yikes!). I added two qts. and the oil level rose to the "safe" range. There are no apparent leakages of any fluids.
Is this oil consumption typical? What's causing the sudden brown and reddish residue? (I intend to get the used oil analysed.)
How "tolerant" are the 350 engines about low oil levels? With an 8.5 qt. oil capacity, I would think (hope) that a temporary drop of 2 qts. wouldn't be too dangerous..)
Thanks in advance for all responses. We love our E 350 and intend to keep it for awhile.
relinuca
Is this oil consumption typical? What's causing the sudden brown and reddish residue? (I intend to get the used oil analysed.)
How "tolerant" are the 350 engines about low oil levels? With an 8.5 qt. oil capacity, I would think (hope) that a temporary drop of 2 qts. wouldn't be too dangerous..)
Thanks in advance for all responses. We love our E 350 and intend to keep it for awhile.
relinuca
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From: DFW, Texas
2007 S65 AMG (W221)
Let's don't confuse the Topic starter and everyone 
Here is the list of MB approved and tested oil pertaining to 229.51 specs.
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...229.51_en.html
NOTE: 229.51 oil specs is actually for diesel engines. Not sure that is actually the case.
2q oil drop should trigger the "check level" message. If it is a short term situation it should not be dangerous.
I would personally send the oil sample for analysis and go from there. About Mobil-1 oil 0W-40: the oil consumption will not get any better with this oil grade. Try 5W-40. Given your ODO reading you could even try 10W-40.
IMO oil brand is a matter of personal preference, you can use any approved oil (try the link above).
Here is the list of MB approved and tested oil pertaining to 229.51 specs.
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...229.51_en.html
NOTE: 229.51 oil specs is actually for diesel engines. Not sure that is actually the case.
2q oil drop should trigger the "check level" message. If it is a short term situation it should not be dangerous.
I would personally send the oil sample for analysis and go from there. About Mobil-1 oil 0W-40: the oil consumption will not get any better with this oil grade. Try 5W-40. Given your ODO reading you could even try 10W-40.
IMO oil brand is a matter of personal preference, you can use any approved oil (try the link above).
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'71 Pinto
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2009 E350 4Matic Sport sedan
The Blackstone analysis came back showing no anomalies! Virtually all averages were within correct ranges! The only item that I feel I should keep an eye on is oil consumption....two quarts within 4.4K miles still seems too high. I'll keep my eyes on this.
relinuca
relinuca
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2021 E-350 Loaded
Since I love oil threads LOL:
The OP obviously had no issues up to now so something beside oil viscosity is wrong.
That being said, ensure your crankcase ventilator valve or pcv is operating correctly and then try a heavier oil at the top of the scale to diagnose for bearing wear.
If the consumption goes down with thicker oil your bearings or seals are failing.
Valves or piston rings will lead to smoke out of the exhaust.
Compression test may be in order.
Best of luck.
The OP obviously had no issues up to now so something beside oil viscosity is wrong.
That being said, ensure your crankcase ventilator valve or pcv is operating correctly and then try a heavier oil at the top of the scale to diagnose for bearing wear.
If the consumption goes down with thicker oil your bearings or seals are failing.
Valves or piston rings will lead to smoke out of the exhaust.
Compression test may be in order.
Best of luck.
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GLC300
Thanks guys. I will go with MB recommendations, spec 229.5, Mobil 1, 0W - 40 European formula. I do not trust Jiffy Lube, some of my friends had nothing but troubles after Jiffy Lube service.
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slk280
I have a exact problem like Relinuca. My car is 07 350 with 90k miles. I changed oil regularly (Mobile1 0-40w); I also checked oil level regularly between oil changed.... and everything seemed to be perfect. Couple weeks ago, while driving on freeway, the message indicated "check oil level at next ...etc...". Once home, I checked the dip stick and it was empty?! I took the opportunity to do the oil change, and seemed like it lost 2 quarts also!!. There is no oil leak anywhere, no abnormal smoke..etc.... this really got me worry, the car only have 90k miles, and run normal!!
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'71 Pinto
MBUSA considers consumption of up to 2000 miles/quart within spec. Since no leaks were detected I would suggest an oil consumption test in addition, inspect cylinders with bore scope to determine condition of cylinder walls.
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C320
I have a exact problem like Relinuca. My car is 07 350 with 90k miles. I changed oil regularly (Mobile1 0-40w); I also checked oil level regularly between oil changed.... and everything seemed to be perfect. Couple weeks ago, while driving on freeway, the message indicated "check oil level at next ...etc...". Once home, I checked the dip stick and it was empty?! I took the opportunity to do the oil change, and seemed like it lost 2 quarts also!!. There is no oil leak anywhere, no abnormal smoke..etc.... this really got me worry, the car only have 90k miles, and run normal!!
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slk280
The car is 90K miles, even if I find something wrong with the pistons and rings... doubt I will do anything about it. If the engine totally break down, I will swap it with another used engine. Just surprised it happened suddenly out of the blue for a well maintained car.
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slk280
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slk280
Great ideal, I have changed the plugs and cap at back, but never changed the separator itself. Im going to change these for safety purpose. The question is if these leak/fail, can they consumed that much oil?? 2 quarts for 8000 miles??
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Get the cover also. Yes, the oil separator is not supposed to allow oil into the intake only fumes. You should also replace the breather cover too, that typically goes and check the 3 plugs in the back.
