430 Engine Oil Consumption
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
430 Engine Oil Consumption
Hello Friends,
I happened to meet a guy who bought an ML430 through E-Bay. He mentioned that his 430 engine had been using a lot of oil, was subject to a factory recall, and was replaced at no charge by M-B (I don't know the model year or mileage).
I was also told by a service manager at a local dealer that the 430 owner was responsible to closely monitor, and document, his/her oil consumption before M-B would become involved and possibly replace the engine.
I bought a 1998 E430 with 117k and it now has 123k miles. How often should I be checking the oil level? I had a B service performed at 120k, before the FSS prompted me, because I have an incomplete service history on the car. In my limited 9 months and 6k use of this auto, I have never seen a warning light that the oil level was low, or dirty for that matter.
Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Musikmann
I happened to meet a guy who bought an ML430 through E-Bay. He mentioned that his 430 engine had been using a lot of oil, was subject to a factory recall, and was replaced at no charge by M-B (I don't know the model year or mileage).
I was also told by a service manager at a local dealer that the 430 owner was responsible to closely monitor, and document, his/her oil consumption before M-B would become involved and possibly replace the engine.
I bought a 1998 E430 with 117k and it now has 123k miles. How often should I be checking the oil level? I had a B service performed at 120k, before the FSS prompted me, because I have an incomplete service history on the car. In my limited 9 months and 6k use of this auto, I have never seen a warning light that the oil level was low, or dirty for that matter.
Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Musikmann
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Manassas, VA, USA
2011 VW cc, 2004 ML350
I have a 2001 ML430. Mine has 67,000 miles on it. I check the oil via the computer every fill up. Never had it say anything about being low. Every time I check the dipstick just from my natural distrust of the computer, it's right in the same place. I also check what I drain out at changes. So far so good: 9 quarts come out, 9 go back in. You say his was using 'a lot' of oil. How much? And how many miles does he have on it? I never received any notice of a recall for that, maybe it doesn't apply to my model year. I guess that's one of the dangers of purchasing a car via ebay or the like. You have no idea how it's been treated.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Thank you Paul
Originally Posted by PaulX608
I have a 2001 ML430. Mine has 67,000 miles on it. I check the oil via the computer every fill up. Never had it say anything about being low. Every time I check the dipstick just from my natural distrust of the computer, it's right in the same place. I also check what I drain out at changes. So far so good: 9 quarts come out, 9 go back in. You say his was using 'a lot' of oil. How much? And how many miles does he have on it? I never received any notice of a recall for that, maybe it doesn't apply to my model year. I guess that's one of the dangers of purchasing a car via ebay or the like. You have no idea how it's been treated.
Thanks for the reply. The guy I met was a chance encounter at a local gas station. I approached him because I noticed he was driving an ML430 and being a new M-B observer, his was the first I had seen that wasn't a 350 or a 500 (plus I was curious about out common engine displacement). He volunteered the info I posted on here, and although he did say that he lives locally, I doubt that I'll ever see him again. Lastly, I agree with your final point 100%. I don't care HOW good a deal it might seem to be, I'd never buy an expensive automobile without first knowing the owner, having a reliable service history at hand, or trusting the M-B dealer with whom I am transacting business.
Regards,
Musikmann
