Help - Oil change
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
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2010 E550 4matic
Help - Oil change
Hey guy's I have a pretty embarrassing story and need any help and advice that can be given, I changed my oil without changing the filter and also forgot to reset the service smh. Drove maybe 20 miles or less. The next day after driving maybe 5 miles or so the check oil at next refueling message appeared(please bear with me). Pulled over to check the oil and the level seemed as if there was no oil, mind you I added 8.7 qts after draining the old oil(I did not use oil pump, I let drain from the oil plug). Removed the oil cap and it was a little smoke rising . I then remembered that I had not reset the service so at that time I did so. After driving another 5 miles or so I once again pull over to check levels. All seems fine as it's showing that it is 80% full. Once I returned home after driving roughly 30 miles, and letting the car sit for hours I again check the levels and all good. Now my issue is I now have the tool to remove the filter and want desperately to change it. My curiosity is in regards to any issues with oils pressure being effected seeing that I did this process all jacked up. I haven't driven since because I would hate to cause damage to the engine by driving while it's something wrong that won't be know until it's too late. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. This is my 4th E-Class a 2001 E430 (2) 2003 E320's and now 2010 E550. Very nice and reliable strong cars and I have had few issues and done most repairs myself. For whatever reason I was having one of those extremely off days and jacked up my oil change smh.
Super Member
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From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
Changing the filter at this point should not affect anything. Make sure you change all the o-rings and use care to not over-torque the cap or strip the threads
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Very odd that you check oil level and dip stick shows no oil in the engine but then 5 miles later level is good. I know if you check oil level with the car's nose down in an incline the level is lower as oil flows to the front of the pan but to show no oil would take a very severe incline but I don't know at what kind of incline you stopped to check the oil level and I don't know how a 4Matic oil pan reacts to the fact how level the car is when dip stick is used.
For the oil filter I also comment that it has nothing to do with the oil level in the engine. If filter was an issue you would get oil pressure warning.
For the oil filter I also comment that it has nothing to do with the oil level in the engine. If filter was an issue you would get oil pressure warning.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
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2010 E550 4matic
I agree the empty dry oil stick was a lilttle alarming but I was on a rather even surface. I though it may have and something to t do with me not resetting the service and the engine not releasing the oil maybe idk but sure enough it's been fine since as far as levels go. This is what initially what brought me here(the oil showing empty then after resetting the service showing normal level) because now I'm thinking it's more technical and changing the filter now might cause something else to go wonky. Thanks for the help, I hope I'm just paranoid...going to go ahead and change out the filter - should I do the service setting again after changing it? That was the other burning question. Am I just overthinking??
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
I was thinking a clogged oil filter could be backing up the oil from getting back to the oil pan but even then, I don't know where nearly 8.7 quarts of oil can hide
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You may want to consider the extraction method of oil change with your Mercedes. That is the most common method and preferred by dealer techs. Less to go wrong and no jacking and climbing around underneath. Just recently a member here had to replace his oil pan due to a botched underside oil drain that cracked the pan. It’s a huge labor job on a 4 Matic.
Im still confused with your situation of no oil showing up on your dipstick, but whatever.
Im still confused with your situation of no oil showing up on your dipstick, but whatever.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
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2010 E550 4matic
Ok I think the verdict is in and I am just freaking out. I had your theory about the filter clogging up something but like you said 8.7qts would be a stretch. So bizarre.....will update in a few days but for now I am going to change it out. Thank you guys for all the help and advice!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2010 E550 4matic
You may want to consider the extraction method of oil change with your Mercedes. That is the most common method and preferred by dealer techs. Less to go wrong and no jacking and climbing around underneath. Just recently a member here had to replace his oil pan due to a botched underside oil drain that cracked the pan. It’s a huge labor job on a 4 Matic.
Im still confused with your situation of no oil showing up on your dipstick, but whatever.
Im still confused with your situation of no oil showing up on your dipstick, but whatever.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Checking oil level on those engines gets tricker with new technology.
MB installs orings to seal dipstick cap on the tube, what with cooling down engine creates vacuum, making false reading. So when I want precise reading, I pull the dipstick about 2 cm up the tube and leave it overnight or for longer stay. and then in the morning I push the dipstick down and pull it for proper reading.
When FSS can't have effect on oil level, don't ignore oil level warnings. MB quit installing oil pressure sensors on several engines, so low oil level might be only warning you ever get before engine blows.
MB installs orings to seal dipstick cap on the tube, what with cooling down engine creates vacuum, making false reading. So when I want precise reading, I pull the dipstick about 2 cm up the tube and leave it overnight or for longer stay. and then in the morning I push the dipstick down and pull it for proper reading.
When FSS can't have effect on oil level, don't ignore oil level warnings. MB quit installing oil pressure sensors on several engines, so low oil level might be only warning you ever get before engine blows.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
It's a little mysterious. Maybe the oil was so clear because it was fresh that you thought it was empty or you couldn't see it in sunlight. I always check oil with a paper towel so you can see exactly where the oil level is on the dipstick.
I hope the old filter is the right one. I think there were some problems when people used the wrong filter on the newer engines.
I hope the old filter is the right one. I think there were some problems when people used the wrong filter on the newer engines.
