Geh

Hi my Granddad called me today telling me that one of his old w126, has oil in the air filter plenum chamber? I dont know to much about cars and he asked me about it, i didnt have a clue but i said id ask people on my Benz Forum Site

He has a 420SEL im not sure what year model it was though, is this something major?

When he has problems with his cars he usually takes them straight to his MB dealer, but it takes around 45mins to get to the closest one, and he wasn't sure if he needed to make a trip for this just yet or to wait till the next service?

Untertürkheim

Do you know what type of oil he is using in the car, or if he recently changed?

Geh

He always gets the car Serviced at his Mb Dealership in parramatta, Marshalls Motors so whatever oil they use.

His car is due for a service within the next 3000ks and he gets it changed every 15,000ks, so it hasn't been change recently

RogerJones

From here:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=244&

"When checking a V8, take off the top of the air filter plenum chamber and look for oil. If there's oil in there, the car needs a £12,000 new engine."

Sorry to bring the bad news..

Ausmbtech

The oil in the air filter housing is pretty normal. The crankcase breather vents to to air filter housing (that's where the oil comes from).

If there is alot of oil then is can signify a worn engine but that's pretty rare with benz V8's

I wouldn't worry about it.

Geh

Oh that is so not good, £12,000??? Thats $27,900 AUD thats three times the amount the cars worth!!!

The Cars only done 140,000k's and it needs a new engine????

My granddad is going to be devastated that was his favourite W126

Ok i have two totally different answers here should i be worrying or should i not be worrying???

Anyone else have any opinions on this matter???

Ausmbtech

Would you honestly replace and engine just because there is a bit of oil in the air filter housing without any other symptoms?

Geh

True True, ill just let my Granddad Know to take it in now just to get it checked out to be on the safe side

Untertürkheim

If he does not use synthetic oil he should consider it. When I switched my cars they all had much less or no blow-by afterwards.

harkgar

Can you take a photo of the plenum and let us all see?

Geh

Cant get any photos my Granddad lives in Sydney and i live in melbourne we just talked about it on the phone, he doesn't own a digital camera let alone know how to use the internet lol

Ive told him to take it to the Mb Dealership and ill let you know what happens