Quart every 500 miles no smoke, no leak
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
1999 ML430
Quart every 500 miles no smoke, no leak
As the title states, im having to add a quart of oil every 500 miles. On a highway road trip it may be a little worse than that. I replaced the expansion cover at the timing case because my ML was marking its territory horribly (oil drops on the ground each morning). The Oil Cooler seals were also replaced. I thought this would take care of the consumption issue because the visable leaking stopped, but the oil consumption did not!
The vehicle does not smoke at all, it leaves no drops of oil on the ground. If it was being burned it should look like a fog machine at this point i would imagine.
Where is my oil going?
The vehicle does not smoke at all, it leaves no drops of oil on the ground. If it was being burned it should look like a fog machine at this point i would imagine.
Where is my oil going?
Last edited by LMA1973; Jan 13, 2015 at 09:07 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Loss of oil doesn't necessarily mean it is being burned. You should take off the left side valve cover and take a peek. It could be all caked up. Also check the drain ports in the head and see if they are clogged.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
1999 ML430
I had to take it in for check engine light last summer and they put a new EGR Valve in because it was clogged and he said my Secondary Air Injection was clogged but it was borderline on the reading and got the light to go out. I diodnt know that being clogged would cause the oil consumption. He wanted like $4,000 or something ridiculous to pull the head off and clean the ports.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
1999 ML430
Id love to but im noth mechanically adept. Im can change sark plugs and minor maintenance but pulling off the valave cover is delving into a dark area for me. I'll have an Indy look at it i guess.
Thanks for pointing me in the right difrection though. Was looking for sources of a possible leak and this sounds very plausible.
Thanks for pointing me in the right difrection though. Was looking for sources of a possible leak and this sounds very plausible.
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Joined: Dec 2021
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w164 w163
As the title states, im having to add a quart of oil every 500 miles. On a highway road trip it may be a little worse than that. I replaced the expansion cover at the timing case because my ML was marking its territory horribly (oil drops on the ground each morning). The Oil Cooler seals were also replaced. I thought this would take care of the consumption issue because the visable leaking stopped, but the oil consumption did not!
The vehicle does not smoke at all, it leaves no drops of oil on the ground. If it was being burned it should look like a fog machine at this point i would imagine.
Where is my oil going?
The vehicle does not smoke at all, it leaves no drops of oil on the ground. If it was being burned it should look like a fog machine at this point i would imagine.
Where is my oil going?
