My 2008 GL320 is in the shop now and they also said that the seal for the oil separator wasn't fully seated or something. I have around 2500 miles on the car. The oil spilled all over the engine compartment and engine.

 

Just added my 2nd quart, I have about 7k on the car after 2 months.

Question. I got my oil at the dealer they gave me mobile 1 5w-40. The mb website reccomends 0w-40? what should I be putting in my 08 320 cdi? Is there much of a difference?

 

Sorry, I can't remember the viscosity but 5W-40 sounds correct. The oil has to be Mobil 1 ESP Formula "M". There are 3 approved oils in the spec, but only one is available in the US.

 

my light came on to check oil level at next refueling AGAIN..the truck has 12200 miles and its been 3100 miles since the last oil change and it took about half a quart, last time between oil changes it was about 2800 miles and it took a full quart..my question is, is the engine still getting broken in?? does diesel take more time to break in than gas?...Thanks in advance..

 

Someone posted here somewhere that it could take up to 60K miles for the rings to fully seat. It looks like your consumption has dropped by 1/2. However, it may always use a little oil and this is not uncommon, nor is it a sign of an inferior product. Diesels have a much higher tendency to do so. In fact, I have only owned one out of 7 that did not. The others ranged from 1/2 qt to 1 gal between oil changes. My 93 F-250 with a 7.3L naturally asperated diesel used 2-3 qts / 5000 miles from the day it was new until I sold it with 256K miles.

 

What year is your GL. As I started this thread I was concerned about the oil level warning that keep on bugging every 2-300 miles. After couple of trips to the dealership the SA explained to me that for the oil level warning to come on the oil level should be below the minimum line on the dipstick. If it is between the min. & max. level it should be ok. He also told me that there will be a TSB? in which MB will be changing the oil level sensor with an updated part. I am waiting a call from the dealership with regards to this. I always check my oil level and it seems that it stays between min and max level. Had it serviced at 10000 miles and currently have 14,200 miles on it and have not added any oil.

 

On our 2008 GL320 I added a qt of oil when the message "to add oil at the next refueling" occurred somewhere around 6,000 miles. Was not concerned at the time, but became alarmed when the same message again occurred around 8,000 miles.

Service technician at the dealer indicated that an "injection motor" (????) was leaking oil and must be replaced. None in the States so now the GL is at the dealer awaiting a new part from Germany.

 

We again had "check oil level at next refill" message come on. Oil level was fine, took the car to dealer for service A and had him check it out.. As per dealer, MB is aware of the problem and it is a faulty oil level sensor design which gives these nuisance alarms.. MB engineering is working on the solution stay tuned we might get another recall.

 

I've had my '08 GL 320 CDI for a week now. When I picked up the vehicle oil was on the top dipstick mark. Now at ODO reading of 930 miles oil is down about 1/2 way on the dipstick just between full and low. Will keep everyone updated on progress. Current MPG at approx 22 mpg for city/hwy combined.

 

I have my 2008 gl 320 since October 13 ,2007. I was on my way up to killington VT. the car had about 2,200. the oil light went on. I call the dealership and said that I need to use 0 40 mobile 1 syn oil... I added about 3/4 quarts of oil.. I though it was strange. now the check oil light went on at 4500 miles and had to add 3/4 quarts of oil.. I call the dealership and have an appointment today to check it out... the advisor was saying something about the enegine needing to break in.... that BS a new car should not be burning oil that fast.... with my 300 SD 1992 it was a big recall and the enegine was replace and it took 3 month form mother Germeny for the new motor... I had 3 new ML 320 and ML 350 and never had to add oil to them...
so let see what happen today.. the mpg is great. I am getting combine about 22.5 mpg... my son 4 loves the dvd player in the back seat... I will keep you posted thanks

 

Here is an update to my oil consumption issue...

We now have about 16K miles on the vehicle....

AND...

No more oil consumption... The last time that I added oil to it was at about 13K miles (it was about 1/2 quart low), I just checked it the other day and it has held steady at the full mark since then...

Looks like at least for my case, the piston rings just needed time to seat properly. It started with having to add about a quart per 1K miles and now it is not consuming any more oil.

 

Well I got back my Gl 320 back from the dealer... they stated that they could not do a oil comsumption test because I added oil to the car.... but I did have an oil leak on the oil pan.... nothing major just the gasket went bad and they had to change it..... mile wise I am at 4,759 or so. I guess I will have to drive it more to see what happen at 6,700 miles.... if the oil light will go on or not.... I will keep you guys and girls posted

thanks

 

I'm wondering if my one time to add oil was because of the issue with the turbo hose. I've otherwise not noticed any reduction in the oil levels in the engine (no dash indications).

 

Too bad.

If yours is like mine, it has a sticker under the hood cautioning against adding ANY QUANTITY of oil that is not MB 229.51 compliant.

0W-40 isn't

5W-40 Mobil 1 ESP is. Only available at Mercedes dealers--carry some.

 

Really? I know that I can get Elf Solaris here that is 229.51. Have to order it, but it is available.

After I get delivery, I might order up a few litres if I'm gonna be needing it.

 

It's available in the USA too, from Elf US website:

http://www.lubadmin.com//Restitution...8&Parametre1=2

Clearly MB 229.51, plus likely cheaper than the stealer.

 

I found a place just down the street from me which sells Elves... I mean Elf...

7.99 a quart... about $1.50 more than the dealer, but good to know there is another option.

http://www.polepositionusa.com/produ...e-oil-1665.cfm

 

Oh well, it was worth a try anyway...

 

Point was his dealer installed incorrect oil.

Whatever, any GL320 owner ought to be carrying some correct spare oil, as s/he isn't going to find it in an emergency.

 

No argument here, just shocked that the stealer was the only source of oil down there.

 

I agree... I now carry a couple of quarts of the Good Stuff down in the spare tire well...

BUT, and this is my personal opinion... If you are out in the middle of nowhere in a pinch you can use any CJ-4 Low-Sulpher Diesel Particulate Filter Compliant Motor Oil such as Chevron Delo 400 LE or Mobil Delvac 1300 Super or Shell Rotella T with Triple Protection.

These oils can be commonly found just about anywhere including gas stations, truck stops, Walmart among other places.

All of these CJ-4 oils are compatible with the Diesel Particulate Filter on the GL320... The only catch is that they are not synthetic, so they will not hold up to the extended oil drain interval that Mercedes has specified (10,000 miles between oil changes). If you are within 5000 miles of your next service, you can put these oils in the engine and be fine waiting until your next service, but if you are more than 5000 miles away, you will probably want to change the oil sooner to get the synthetic stuff in there. (maybe you can be convincing and get a free oil change from the dealer since you HAD to put something in there to make it back to civilization)

I had to make this choice when I was on a long trip and noticed that he oil level was below my comfort level (the bottom line on the dipstick). The choice was... Push the wrench button, and wait for Mercedes roadside assistance to come and put my vehicle on a flatbed and figure out what to do to get my wife and kids home, or put some non-synthetic oil in the engine... I think I chose wisely.

So, bottom line is, carry a few quarts of the Mobil 1 from the dealer, but if you forget, or if you are in a pinch... Use any CJ-4 oil that you can find (the CJ-4 is listed on the back of the bottle in the Circular Shaped API Label)

 

The online manual sez to throw any MB approved synthetic in in an emergency, also says that 228.51, 229.31 are OK for oil changes, but I think those are OTR low ash Diesel oils. Rotella is also the first thing that came to my mind as a good emergency option, but seems furthest from their reco'.

 

It's the only source for the correct Mobil 1, except for I think one mail order place.

 

Im thinking about trading in my Lexus LX470 for a new M or GL with the diesel motor and have a few questions.First what kind of fuel mileage can i figure on getting??? I put on about 700 hiway miles a week,my Lexus is getting around 15-16mpg.Will this diesel motor last to 100,000 miles or more?? Does it have good power range to pass when you need it?? Thanks for all your help.

 

You want to do what I already did. I had an LX470 for 8 years and 200,000+ miles.

Your LX was getting better mileage than mine, but the huge amount of miles already on it was possibly part of the equation. I would get maybe 14.7mpg on the highway if I was really careful. Averaged about 12mpg in the city.

The first thing you'll notice is the huge turbo lag off the line. You'll mash your foot down and think, "Huh? Where's the engine? These things are supposed to have all kinds of low end torque but ..." and then the sound of your neck snapping. It's at the lower speeds that you'll get your best acceleration.

Next is the mileage (of which I can only speak to the GL since I don't have an ML). I just did a round-trip on the highway with four people (two fat adults, two skinny teenagers) of about half a tank (that's about 300 miles) and averaged 24mpg-ish. It was also extremely windy, but that was uphill for 150 or so miles, and downhill for 150 or so miles, and the diesel seems to really make up for the uphill when it's on the downhill. I was only getting about 21mpg uphill and at one point downhill (for a small part of the trip) I was getting 38.8mpg.

A well-maintained engine, as evidenced by my old LX, will last as long as it can. Gas or diesel, you can easily get 100,000 miles out of a Mercedes mostly by keeping up on maintenance. That said, an out-of-warranty Mercedes (like a lot of luxury cars) can nickle-n-dime you to death if it's "iffy." And stuff will break and wear out.

As for passing, I will admit that at higher highway speeds (the limit's 75 out here) it will accelerate but there's not the whiplash acceleration you get with a gas engine. I do pass people (and I'm often surprised how fast the truck's going while passing, when it feels so smooth and slow), but the engine's out of gears at highway speeds because of the diesel's low-end torque and low RPM range. If you're looking for a real tire-burner that'll rocket you around traffic at highway speeds, look to the GL550. But if you, like me, are really looking for the added efficiency of the diesel and love the idea of Phoenix to Las Vegas, round trip, on one tank of fuel, then the diesel is just the way to go.