09 ML320 BT Oil Leak Stopped but High Consumption
07-16-2022 | 11:48 PM
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From: BC
2012 W221 S63, 2016 W166 GLE350d
09 ML320 BT Oil Leak Stopped but High Consumption
(crossposted in diesel forum)
So I just inherited my parents' old 2009 W164 ML320 Bluetec and noticed some odd things. The vehicle has around 160k km on it.
1) There was an oil leak that probably began in 2014 or 2016, around that period. I don't remember the exact year but I do know it was when the ELW had already ended and their service advisor just said ignore it's not worth replacing the seals (which I agree). However, the leak stopped in about 2019 and the garage floor is completely dry with no stains.
2) The oil consumption is excessive (which seems to be the norm of OM642 engines) but the check engine oil level notification comes on every 1200-1300km or so. However, each time, the amount of oil top up required varies from 1.5 to 3.5L, is this the norm of these arounds of this age and mileage? Also, is the differing amount required for top up each time an indication that the oil level sensor is faulty?
Some things to note is that the vehicle essentially saw very little mileage from mid 2015 to 2020, probably around 8000km annually mostly as a beater for errands at that point. In the latter part of its life, it was driven much harder and at higher speeds 140km/h than before. The turbo was replaced and DPF cleaned end of last year.
Is there any reason as to why the oil leak stopped even though the dealer back then said it was from the oil cooler? Given it's an 09 and first year of the facelift, it most probably has the old seal type. Indy shop said they cant find a leak at the turbo or oil pan and suggested replacing the PCV valve but mentioned that it's not a guarantee and just a trial and error at this point. MB said the oil consumption is from the oil leak without looking again. Also, is the oil consumption normal with the age and mileage of the vehicle? Does running at higher speeds also burn more oil?
Also, on the newer OM642 engines like my W166 GLE, should it be expected to have high engine oil consumption later down the road or it's only a characteristic of the first gen Bluetec's?
I don't mind spending normal or even additional maintenance on it or topping up oil every once in a while which does get bothersome sometimes but I guess I need to figure out where to draw the line since 7k was spent to replace the turbo and clean the DPF when the dealer was offering 1650 for it on a trade in at the time (the tires cost more). Parents wanted to get rid of this back in 2014 when they replaced the suv (twice now) but I insisted on keeping it given its sentimental value as it was the vehicle where I learned how to drive. I guess at this point, I just want to figure how much is too much when servicing this vehicle as I still want to keep it but just need to figure out what's considered reasonable or logical? Is it just a fact which I should accept as is and live with it as a compromise since I decided to keep such an old vehicle?
So I just inherited my parents' old 2009 W164 ML320 Bluetec and noticed some odd things. The vehicle has around 160k km on it.
1) There was an oil leak that probably began in 2014 or 2016, around that period. I don't remember the exact year but I do know it was when the ELW had already ended and their service advisor just said ignore it's not worth replacing the seals (which I agree). However, the leak stopped in about 2019 and the garage floor is completely dry with no stains.
2) The oil consumption is excessive (which seems to be the norm of OM642 engines) but the check engine oil level notification comes on every 1200-1300km or so. However, each time, the amount of oil top up required varies from 1.5 to 3.5L, is this the norm of these arounds of this age and mileage? Also, is the differing amount required for top up each time an indication that the oil level sensor is faulty?
Some things to note is that the vehicle essentially saw very little mileage from mid 2015 to 2020, probably around 8000km annually mostly as a beater for errands at that point. In the latter part of its life, it was driven much harder and at higher speeds 140km/h than before. The turbo was replaced and DPF cleaned end of last year.
Is there any reason as to why the oil leak stopped even though the dealer back then said it was from the oil cooler? Given it's an 09 and first year of the facelift, it most probably has the old seal type. Indy shop said they cant find a leak at the turbo or oil pan and suggested replacing the PCV valve but mentioned that it's not a guarantee and just a trial and error at this point. MB said the oil consumption is from the oil leak without looking again. Also, is the oil consumption normal with the age and mileage of the vehicle? Does running at higher speeds also burn more oil?
Also, on the newer OM642 engines like my W166 GLE, should it be expected to have high engine oil consumption later down the road or it's only a characteristic of the first gen Bluetec's?
I don't mind spending normal or even additional maintenance on it or topping up oil every once in a while which does get bothersome sometimes but I guess I need to figure out where to draw the line since 7k was spent to replace the turbo and clean the DPF when the dealer was offering 1650 for it on a trade in at the time (the tires cost more). Parents wanted to get rid of this back in 2014 when they replaced the suv (twice now) but I insisted on keeping it given its sentimental value as it was the vehicle where I learned how to drive. I guess at this point, I just want to figure how much is too much when servicing this vehicle as I still want to keep it but just need to figure out what's considered reasonable or logical? Is it just a fact which I should accept as is and live with it as a compromise since I decided to keep such an old vehicle?
