Intermittent Low Oil message
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 38
From: East Idaho
2014 GL450, 2006 S500, 2003 ML350, 1996 C280 (Prev 1995 C220, 2002 CLK320, 1980 300SD Turbo)
Intermittent Low Oil message
I recently did an oil change, about two weeks ago (I use an extractor pump, and do not remove the drain plug bolt) - and after the first couple drives I got a low oil message. Thinking it was oil in the filter housing that I didn't account for, I put in another quart or so until my dipstick reading was in the upper middle.
Yesterday, I took a trip to Yellowstone which is about five hours of driving all around, some hills for a few miles but nothing crazy. About 10 miles from home, I get a low oil message and pull over to see indeed, oil is at the low/min level. No suitable oil at the service station so I just drive the rest of the way home.
Then I spent the evening watching PCV videos thinking that's probably what's going on (and I'm not sure what the part name analogue is for the M278). Then this morning I take the dipstick reading and it is totally full.
Is oil getting trapped somewhere? I'm thinking the best place to start is by uplugging that oil solenoid valve that can get stuck(the one that made Tasos cuss a bunch in his video on it).
I'm thinking to take the initiative on those two parts but any other ideas would be welcome. (P.S. this is like my eighth Benz and I've never had to worry so much about engine critical shenangans like this, absolutely ridiculous, which you know
)
Yesterday, I took a trip to Yellowstone which is about five hours of driving all around, some hills for a few miles but nothing crazy. About 10 miles from home, I get a low oil message and pull over to see indeed, oil is at the low/min level. No suitable oil at the service station so I just drive the rest of the way home.
Then I spent the evening watching PCV videos thinking that's probably what's going on (and I'm not sure what the part name analogue is for the M278). Then this morning I take the dipstick reading and it is totally full.
Is oil getting trapped somewhere? I'm thinking the best place to start is by uplugging that oil solenoid valve that can get stuck(the one that made Tasos cuss a bunch in his video on it).
I'm thinking to take the initiative on those two parts but any other ideas would be welcome. (P.S. this is like my eighth Benz and I've never had to worry so much about engine critical shenangans like this, absolutely ridiculous, which you know
)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 38
From: East Idaho
2014 GL450, 2006 S500, 2003 ML350, 1996 C280 (Prev 1995 C220, 2002 CLK320, 1980 300SD Turbo)
Wife went shopping, no "get oil at next fill up" messages. We she came back the engine felt hotter than usual (although the temp said 90 C as usual) - checked the oil and it was half full. Came back when it was a little cooler and engine oil was full.
What in sam hill am I missing here.
What in sam hill am I missing here.
Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 129
Likes: 59
From: Gresham, OR
GL450
When you are comparing readings I'd recommend being consistent for when you measure them. Compare hot vs hot, or cold vs cold, etc. I know from my experience that my oil level changes on the dipstick depending on how long it's been since the engine was shut down. I also have gotten a few "low oil" messages on my 2013 GL450 with 135k, but it's because it burns a lot of oil and I need to add a quart every 700 to 1000 miles. When I fill it while changing my oil (I also pump it out), I don't OVERfill, but I fill it to near the higher end of the acceptable range knowing that some will go into the filter and some will burn off in the next week or two.
From the owners manual:
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qts (0.8 l) of oil over
a distance of 600 miles (1000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may
be in a different location.
When checking the oil level:
Rpark the vehicle on a level surface.
Rthe engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
Rif the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement
From the owners manual:
Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qts (0.8 l) of oil over
a distance of 600 miles (1000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may
be in a different location.
When checking the oil level:
Rpark the vehicle on a level surface.
Rthe engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
Rif the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly: wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 38
From: East Idaho
2014 GL450, 2006 S500, 2003 ML350, 1996 C280 (Prev 1995 C220, 2002 CLK320, 1980 300SD Turbo)
Thank you Grimes -
Between your post at user 39039's excellent video here I think I got my answer https://mbworld.org/forums/general-m...ate-video.html
I knew ATF had temp requirements for measurement, but this is the first engine I've had that required it for oil temperature.
Between your post at user 39039's excellent video here I think I got my answer https://mbworld.org/forums/general-m...ate-video.html
I knew ATF had temp requirements for measurement, but this is the first engine I've had that required it for oil temperature.
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,761
Likes: 891
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
What engine/car?
Did you pour oil in according to the manual's stated capacity or just until the dipstick was satisfied?
What I'm getting at is: Is there sludge building up in your engine reducing the capacity of useable oil in your engine?
Did you pour oil in according to the manual's stated capacity or just until the dipstick was satisfied?
What I'm getting at is: Is there sludge building up in your engine reducing the capacity of useable oil in your engine?
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Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 846
Likes: 560
From: San Jose, CA
11 E550, 16 AMG GTS, 13 S550
They don't scavenge so a ton of oil gets stuck in the head/valve cover. I've seen this across 3 of my Mercedes already. I have an M278 too.
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Purchase Amsoil at 25% off from me
Chris Tran, Retired Alpha European Autotech Owner
Amsoil Independent Dealer #7236674
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 38
From: East Idaho
2014 GL450, 2006 S500, 2003 ML350, 1996 C280 (Prev 1995 C220, 2002 CLK320, 1980 300SD Turbo)
2014 GL450, M278 engine. I put in 8.5 quarts because I wasn't sure if I got all the oil out of the pan, and then after running it with the new filter and getting that message for the first time, I put in another quarter thinking I didn't account for the filter housing area.
The low dipstick reading was after a 70 mile drive, which included going over the Teton Pass. From what I now gather this is not uncommon on longer drives.
