2000 ML with 249,000 miles--using oil (!)
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
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2004 clk
2000 ML with 249,000 miles--using oil (!)
Greetings all and thanks in advance for your feedback.
I purchased my 2000 ML 320 new. It has had Mobil 1 since new and the oil has been changed every 5-10k miles (except when it was new and the dealer limited my "included with purchase" free oil changes to every 25,000 miles).
This is my wife's daily driver, and she still loves it, but it has always used oil. No noticeable blue smoke, and no leaks, but I have had to add a quart every 3,000 miles or so for the last couple of years/50,000 miles or so.
Recently, it seems to be using a quart more like every 500-1,000 miles. I am concerned that this acceleration of usage is a sign that the end is near. I'd like to keep the car if this can be fixed in a cost-effective way, but I lack the knowledge to evaluate this on my own.
What is your advice about addressing the oil usage? I don't perform any of the maintenance myself, but have a decent independent MB trained mechanic.
thanks again for your advice-
kevin
I purchased my 2000 ML 320 new. It has had Mobil 1 since new and the oil has been changed every 5-10k miles (except when it was new and the dealer limited my "included with purchase" free oil changes to every 25,000 miles).
This is my wife's daily driver, and she still loves it, but it has always used oil. No noticeable blue smoke, and no leaks, but I have had to add a quart every 3,000 miles or so for the last couple of years/50,000 miles or so.
Recently, it seems to be using a quart more like every 500-1,000 miles. I am concerned that this acceleration of usage is a sign that the end is near. I'd like to keep the car if this can be fixed in a cost-effective way, but I lack the knowledge to evaluate this on my own.
What is your advice about addressing the oil usage? I don't perform any of the maintenance myself, but have a decent independent MB trained mechanic.
thanks again for your advice-
kevin
Last edited by kcearls; Aug 27, 2012 at 01:01 PM. Reason: omission
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
07 S600 Designo, 03 SL500, 1959 220S
you wasted a lot of money getting it changed every 5000 miles when it only needs to be changed every 10,000 miles. I use to have an older Mercedes that used a lot of oil also, it's definitely cheaper to keep putting oil in it then try to get the problem repaired. I would either just live with it or sell it
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 282
Likes: 5
From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
Mine used to leak a small amount of oil at the front of the engine. An MB service advisor recommended replacement of the seals around the oil filter housing and oil cooler. That fixed it. These seals are made of rubber and don't last forever. That was done at 8 yrs.
The main problem with the oil cooler leak is that oil drips onto the harmonic balancer and makes the rubber ring expand. It eventually works its way out and causes HB failure, which takes out several other assemblies and costs big $$ to repair.
You should open your hood, clean -> drive -> inspect, and determine if you have a leak.
The main problem with the oil cooler leak is that oil drips onto the harmonic balancer and makes the rubber ring expand. It eventually works its way out and causes HB failure, which takes out several other assemblies and costs big $$ to repair.
You should open your hood, clean -> drive -> inspect, and determine if you have a leak.
