nyclad

Hey everyone, I've been taking me 2008 ML350 to a local shop for an oil change for a few years now and with no problem. A few days ago i noticed an oil leak coming from under the truck, so being that i had an appointment with the dealer for an unrelated issue, i asked them to check the leak ... said that the drain plug was stripped and i needed to change the oil pan $$$$. does anyone know if this is true, or is there a fix ...?

sheepdog8

Sounds like whoever has been changing your oil cross threaded your drain plug (put it in crooked) and tightened it down. You'll have to get a new oil pan & drain plug. I'd try to get that shop to pay the bill...

eeferber

good luck trying to prove they did it....

sheepdog8

True

N4HHE

I agree the shop where the drain bolt was stripped should pay. But which shop stripped it? I'd say the last shop should be liable because if they didn't strip it then they should have complained about it being stripped.

As for a new pan, I disagree. Helicoil(tm) or Thread-Sert(tm) and a new drain bolt should be a perfectly good stronger than new fix.

iankayem

This is not an unheard of problem with all makes. There are repair methods available, which can avoid the need for engine removal to replace the sump.

Oversize plugs are available for common sumps such as Ford and GM, but I doubt they are available for Mercedes.

"RECOIL" thread inserts are available and will fit. The kit includes an oversize tap to make the hole larger, then a formed wire thread coil is wound in leaving a new stronger than OE thread correct size for the standard sump plug. Okay, there must be a suitable gasket washer on the plug, which I believe is standard on Mercedes.

Also Loctite make a thread repair kit. It will work to perfection but I have my doubts about the long term reliability unless you resort to suction draining in the future.

Of course I am not saying who should pay!

N4HHE

Ohhh! Come on, the Mercedes-Benz drain bolt is not so special. It doesn't even have a magnet.

Best I can tell most all Mercedes-Benz, gas and diesel, AMG and not, use 14mm diameter with 1.5mm thread pitch.

Seeing how oil wets the felt insulation around the drain plug and no magnet I gave serious consideration toward one of these: http://www.qwikvalve.com/fumoto-f-106-valve.html

Due to the nuisance of removing the plastic belly pan I thought a lot about cutting a hole in it. Ultimately purchased an oil extractor to pull it out from the top.

N_Jay

Don't they still sell those rubber oil drain plug replacements? (J/K)

MLSEXY3

its most likely the copper compression washer I drove mine home from Chicago to Detroit and dripped 3-4 quarts out the bottom in 5 hours. They crushed the copper washer at 90 degrees into the hole and tightened it. No cross thread but bad washer.
Let the dealer do the oil Its 120. Oil is 10/quart for 12 quarts. Why get hands dirty" I replace oil filter only every 2500 because, I can . It at top of front of engine.

N4HHE

Because in other parts of the country dealers want $300 to change the oil.

Your ML63 holds 10.2 quarts. The Bluetec, V6, and V8's hold 9.0 quarts.

Oil is currently $5.40/quart after rebate at
What a waste of oil filters.