Shavings in oil...opinions welcome
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Windy Texas Panhandle
2001 E320 4Matic sedan
Shavings in oil...opinions welcome
Hi all,
I have a 1983 380 SEL. The car has 85,981 miles on it and I have owned it a little over a year. It was purchased from the original owners brother and has been garaged all its life. The car is in near mint condition inside and out and has books and records.
Changing the oil a few weeks ago I found lots of very small metal shavings. I sent a sample to Blackstone labs and am hoping they can help me find the source, or point me in the right direction.
I have tried to see the timing chain with a dental mirror but have not been able to see the chain. I assume it has a single-row t-chain, no evidence of it being changed in the records.
So...What do I do? The car runs great, no odd sounds. If I do the double-row chain I may still have a crap motor if the shavings have done any damage...and the shavings may not be coming from the t-chain components....
A used motor might be found for 1500 plus 1000 to install it, a rebuild may cost 4500....
If its only a chain job and the shavings are too small and soft to ruin the motor then thats what I want to do.
What would you do? What would you check? I am going to pull the valve covers off for a look, and do a compression test....what else?
I am a cowboy and do not have alot of extra cash but will spend whatever it takes to put it back on the road.
Appreciate your help...and no, I'm not driving it until its fixed.
I have a 1983 380 SEL. The car has 85,981 miles on it and I have owned it a little over a year. It was purchased from the original owners brother and has been garaged all its life. The car is in near mint condition inside and out and has books and records.
Changing the oil a few weeks ago I found lots of very small metal shavings. I sent a sample to Blackstone labs and am hoping they can help me find the source, or point me in the right direction.
I have tried to see the timing chain with a dental mirror but have not been able to see the chain. I assume it has a single-row t-chain, no evidence of it being changed in the records.
So...What do I do? The car runs great, no odd sounds. If I do the double-row chain I may still have a crap motor if the shavings have done any damage...and the shavings may not be coming from the t-chain components....
A used motor might be found for 1500 plus 1000 to install it, a rebuild may cost 4500....
If its only a chain job and the shavings are too small and soft to ruin the motor then thats what I want to do.
What would you do? What would you check? I am going to pull the valve covers off for a look, and do a compression test....what else?
I am a cowboy and do not have alot of extra cash but will spend whatever it takes to put it back on the road.
Appreciate your help...and no, I'm not driving it until its fixed.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Windy Texas Panhandle
2001 E320 4Matic sedan
Thanks for your responses...
The shavings are not magnetic. I will get a magnetic plug though, thanks GRAFH.
The oil analysis showed high levels of aluminum and silica. I live on a dirt road and that may be where the high silica content is coming from, I will replace my air filter and check the intake for leaks (filter housing lid gasket etc...).
My plan is to tear it down and do a double-row conversion.
Hopefully I will find the source of shavings in the old guide rails, perhaps the plastic broke off and the chain is chewing up the rail....make sense?
If I do find the problem, I will then order the chain, sprockets tensioner and rails. If I do not find the source I guess I'll have to tear it down further until I find it. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
I am looking forward to doing the work myself and have a decent shop and tools.
Any suggestions are appreciated. I will probably start in a few weeks, and yes, I plan on running Mobil 1.
The oil analysis showed high levels of aluminum and silica. I live on a dirt road and that may be where the high silica content is coming from, I will replace my air filter and check the intake for leaks (filter housing lid gasket etc...).
My plan is to tear it down and do a double-row conversion.
Hopefully I will find the source of shavings in the old guide rails, perhaps the plastic broke off and the chain is chewing up the rail....make sense?
If I do find the problem, I will then order the chain, sprockets tensioner and rails. If I do not find the source I guess I'll have to tear it down further until I find it. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
I am looking forward to doing the work myself and have a decent shop and tools.
Any suggestions are appreciated. I will probably start in a few weeks, and yes, I plan on running Mobil 1.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
Also, good call on running synthetic oil. Mobil 1 is very good stuff, although I am becoming more concerned with the newer oil ratings requiring less anti-wear additive.
This makes me partial to Pentosin 5w-40: http://www.pentosin.com/shop_produkt...7&pid=667&vid=
It is still synthetic and MB 229.3 rated, but SL instead of SM so it should still be full of anti-wear additives, and amazon sells it with free shipping and no tax, so it works out to about the same price as Mobil 1
http://www.amazon.com/Pentosin-Perfo...1044330&sr=1-1
Don't worry about the pictures looking different, I have bought it from amazon, it is the correct product.
This makes me partial to Pentosin 5w-40: http://www.pentosin.com/shop_produkt...7&pid=667&vid=
It is still synthetic and MB 229.3 rated, but SL instead of SM so it should still be full of anti-wear additives, and amazon sells it with free shipping and no tax, so it works out to about the same price as Mobil 1
http://www.amazon.com/Pentosin-Perfo...1044330&sr=1-1
Don't worry about the pictures looking different, I have bought it from amazon, it is the correct product.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
