S550 Excessive Oil Consumption
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
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2008 S550
S550 Excessive Oil Consumption
My S550 with 10k on the clock has been burning excessive amounts of oil. After the oil light came on for the third time in 10k miles MB put it thru a series of procedures including a precise oil consumption measurement process where the oil was drained and new oil weigh prior to refill. Then after 2500 miles the oil removed and reweight. The findings were the car was consuming 1 quart per 1475 miles. The technician advised he would review with MB HQ as the acceptable consumption standard was 1 qt per 3000 miles. The dealer called back two days later to say that this is not an "unusual" problem and that the car could take over 15k miles to set the rings. They went further to advise that ....get this...600 miles per quart was acceptable for this engine.
As you can imagine, I hit the roof....clearly putting in a qt of oil every 600 miles is crazy. Especially in the new "green" world and especially considering that this is supposed to be MBs flagship model.
When I asked if a consumption rate of 600/quart would allow me to pass our state's (CT) emission requirements they had no response.
The dealer has indicated they are on our side and will fight for us...interesting! Almost humorous as before I drove off the dealer (Carrige House, New London) handed me two quarts of oil to keep in the trunk
Has any one else had this problem. Would appreciate your advise.
SteveF
As you can imagine, I hit the roof....clearly putting in a qt of oil every 600 miles is crazy. Especially in the new "green" world and especially considering that this is supposed to be MBs flagship model.
When I asked if a consumption rate of 600/quart would allow me to pass our state's (CT) emission requirements they had no response.
The dealer has indicated they are on our side and will fight for us...interesting! Almost humorous as before I drove off the dealer (Carrige House, New London) handed me two quarts of oil to keep in the trunk
Has any one else had this problem. Would appreciate your advise.
SteveF
Last edited by sjflett; Feb 4, 2009 at 04:28 PM. Reason: added thought
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
My S550 with 10k on the clock has been burning excessive amounts of oil. After the oil light came on for the third time in 10k miles MB put it thru a series of procedures including a precise oil consumption measurement process where the oil was drained and new oil weigh prior to refill. Then after 2500 miles the oil removed and reweight. The findings were the car was consuming 1 quart per 1475 miles. The technician advised he would review with MB HQ as the acceptable consumption standard was 1 qt per 3000 miles. The dealer called back two days later to say that this is not an "unusual" problem and that the car could take over 15k miles to set the rings. They went further to advise that ....get this...600 miles per quart was acceptable for this engine.
As you can imagine, I hit the roof....clearly putting in a qt of oil every 600 miles is crazy. Especially in the new "green" world and especially considering that this is supposed to be MBs flagship model.
When I asked if a consumption rate of 600/quart would allow me to pass our state's (CT) emission requirements they had no response.
The dealer has indicated they are on our side and will fight for us...interesting! Almost humorous as before I drove off the dealer (Carrige House, New London) handed me two quarts of oil to keep in the trunk
Has any one else had this problem. Would appreciate your advise.
SteveF
As you can imagine, I hit the roof....clearly putting in a qt of oil every 600 miles is crazy. Especially in the new "green" world and especially considering that this is supposed to be MBs flagship model.
When I asked if a consumption rate of 600/quart would allow me to pass our state's (CT) emission requirements they had no response.
The dealer has indicated they are on our side and will fight for us...interesting! Almost humorous as before I drove off the dealer (Carrige House, New London) handed me two quarts of oil to keep in the trunk
Has any one else had this problem. Would appreciate your advise.
SteveF
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 861
Likes: 3
From: Fairfield county, CT.
2004 Ran SRT-10,2007 S550,2016 E400c
On the engine in your s550 (273) there is a tsb for engine break in. Its a long procedure
and what is happing is if you drive no agresivly your piston rings might not be seating.
ask the dealer if you need the bulliten num i can get it for you
and what is happing is if you drive no agresivly your piston rings might not be seating.
ask the dealer if you need the bulliten num i can get it for you
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From: plainfield,nj usa
none
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I also heard that this engine has a long break in procedure, but the opinion of most people is that it is extremely reliable, and so that consumption to drop to almost nothing (no oil required between changes).
Out of curiosity, what kind of oil did they use/give you? I hope it was 229.5, and not 229.51
Out of curiosity, what kind of oil did they use/give you? I hope it was 229.5, and not 229.51
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Thread Starter
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2008 S550
Thanks for your replies. Is 600 miles / quart an acceptable consumption rate. Seems high as it means I need to carry two / three quarts with me every time I drive to Toronto from CT which I do every few months (elderly parents). As for oil, they are using 229.51.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
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2008 S550
S550 Oil Consumption
Would appreciate understanding if this is a widely experienced problem with this engine series. Thanks
S Flett
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 87
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From: Vallejo, CA USA
15 MB Sprinter, 14 MB S550, 08 Smart Fortwo, 04 Dodge Sprinter, 87 MB 190E 2.3-16
I agree that's alot of oil. Never ever unless you are constantly downshifting for engine braking from high RPMs.
My 2007 S550 has approximately 94000 miles and idles 6 to 8 hours 4 days a week and doesn't consume any oil whatsoever between the 15000 mile oil change intervals.
Every Mercedes I owned same maintenance routine and extreme use conditions same results well into the 200k to 400k mileage range and still going.
I do also agree of the other reply in regards to break-in and seating of rings. You must drive vehicle hard every so often. I also believe once the vehicle hits 1000 miles change oil and start varying the load and RPM. That's how the Mercedes of the past used to be. Also drive in a lower gear if necessary. 2500 miles hits change oil again and follow what works for you.
Take the car back and demand a resolution.
My 2007 S550 has approximately 94000 miles and idles 6 to 8 hours 4 days a week and doesn't consume any oil whatsoever between the 15000 mile oil change intervals.
Every Mercedes I owned same maintenance routine and extreme use conditions same results well into the 200k to 400k mileage range and still going.
I do also agree of the other reply in regards to break-in and seating of rings. You must drive vehicle hard every so often. I also believe once the vehicle hits 1000 miles change oil and start varying the load and RPM. That's how the Mercedes of the past used to be. Also drive in a lower gear if necessary. 2500 miles hits change oil again and follow what works for you.
Take the car back and demand a resolution.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8
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2008 S550
Just an quick update on the oil burn issue on my S550. We are now at 40,000miles and the car is continuing to average 1700 miles per quart. The car oil burn has been monitored by MB with weighting and refilling oil every time the oil light comes on, (approximately 10 times since new). MB has insisted that this rate of consumption (1700m/qt) is well within their consumption specs and that they will not do anything. The dealer indicated they would stop weighing the oil and only agreed to continue monitoring when I threatened to move my business to a different dealer. Would appreciate any advice anyone has as to what next steps I should take.
Thanks to the community for your input.
Thanks to the community for your input.
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I have to say that 1 quart per 1,700 miles on a modern car sounds crazy. MB have some nerve to have a "spec" like that.
Even my 1979 450SEL 6.9 with 150kmiles consumes less than that, and that includes its prolific leaks!
Since you are so close to the end of the warranty I would pursue as many dealers as possible to find one who will fight harder for you.
I have 8,000+ on my 2010 S550 and no sign of any oil consumption. My previous car - 2004 E500 - never consumed a drop up to 80k, and I would check it frequently, especially as it got old.
Even my 1979 450SEL 6.9 with 150kmiles consumes less than that, and that includes its prolific leaks!
Since you are so close to the end of the warranty I would pursue as many dealers as possible to find one who will fight harder for you.
I have 8,000+ on my 2010 S550 and no sign of any oil consumption. My previous car - 2004 E500 - never consumed a drop up to 80k, and I would check it frequently, especially as it got old.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111
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From: Stn Mtn Georgia
2005 S500
I think that the dealer is stalling so that 1) you go elsewhere and it will not be his problem anymore, 2) the warranty will run out and then tell you to pay for engine repairs out of pocket. It is sometimes frustrating when you go to a dealer who is suppose to help and they act as though they don't want to see you show up at the dealership.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
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From: Naples, FL
S550 4matic, ML350
I'm getting a "check oil level" warning and about a 600 mile / 1 quart leak... Just over the phone my service advisor said it is likely a leak in the valve guides or something similar... Said this was warranty and to bring the car in. Seemed to say this was a known issue... we shall see!
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
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From: Naples, FL
S550 4matic, ML350
UPDATE---- I DONT seem to have a leak. My bad... I checked the level again after rest, level surface, it was at "max"... What I DO think I have is a bad sensor that is giving me the warning...
I think the first time I checked it was about 2500 mi away from another oil change. After topping it off with two quarts, 1200 mi later I was getting the warning and got freaked out it had gone through the oil... It hadn't. Right at max, now. I'm still going to bring it in to check the sensor...
Sometimes like med students reading medical books and thinking they are sick with everything, I read these message boards and think my car is sick.
I think the first time I checked it was about 2500 mi away from another oil change. After topping it off with two quarts, 1200 mi later I was getting the warning and got freaked out it had gone through the oil... It hadn't. Right at max, now. I'm still going to bring it in to check the sensor...
Sometimes like med students reading medical books and thinking they are sick with everything, I read these message boards and think my car is sick.
