Crazy Oil Consumption?
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Massachusetts, USA
Car
Crazy Oil Consumption?
Hi! Sorry for the ridiculous problem to contribution ratio 
Anyway, the 2006 S500 is now at 89,000 miles approximately and recently there has been some crazy oil consumption. It used to be every 5000-8000 miles (probably reasonable for stop and go traffic) that one quart needed to be refilled within the last 12,000 miles, but all of sudden it's been crazy. Now the car warns it needs one to two quarts every 1000-1500 miles. The dealer has found no leaks whatsoever.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thank you very much!
Anyway, the 2006 S500 is now at 89,000 miles approximately and recently there has been some crazy oil consumption. It used to be every 5000-8000 miles (probably reasonable for stop and go traffic) that one quart needed to be refilled within the last 12,000 miles, but all of sudden it's been crazy. Now the car warns it needs one to two quarts every 1000-1500 miles. The dealer has found no leaks whatsoever.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thank you very much!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Massachusetts, USA
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
the huge cats on these cars can hide smoking quite a bit.
Have you check to make sure the sensor is not faulty?
With that kind of oil consumption, I'd do a compression and leakdown test, have a look at the plugs, etc.
fwiw, In 4.5 years, I've never added oil to my car.
Have you check to make sure the sensor is not faulty?
With that kind of oil consumption, I'd do a compression and leakdown test, have a look at the plugs, etc.
fwiw, In 4.5 years, I've never added oil to my car.
Thread Starter
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From: Massachusetts, USA
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Okay, I am suspecting that the sensor is faulty, but the fact is if it is, wouldn't overfilling the oil by now cause some damage? Also, could you explain what the compression/leakdown test is and how it's done?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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2004 CLK 500
Does your car have a dipstick? If you are overfilling it by that much all I can say is OUCH! I suspect it's actually burning the oil. I would think it would be shooting out the top after adding that much oil.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
Compression test: You remove the spark plug, insert a pressure gauge (compression tester) into the plug hole and then crank the motor a set amount of times. Record the pressure number...move on to the next cylinder. This is more basic than the leakdown and gives you a general impression of the cylinders are sealing up well, as well as if you have cam timing or head gasket issues. this is pretty quick and easy.
Leakdown: You turn the motor over until you are at compression TDC for the cylinder you are testing. You insert the tester into the plug hole with a pressure source (air compressor). Apply the compressed air into the cylinder at a set psi (typically 100psi), the % of air that leaks out of the cylinder is your leakdown figure (good is usually between 3 to 7%, but can depend on engine, build type, etc). This test also gives you the health of the cylinder, but also reveals where the leakage is, eg. Intake valves (hiss in intake), exhaust valves (hiss in exhaust), rings (hiss from oil cap).
If you only do one, I'd say leakdown is more valuable, but both are a good idea.
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From: Nebraska
2005 CLK500 cab, 2004 S600 designo mocha
Mine had a faulty sensor....yours may too? Wasn't too bad for replacing. On my S600, I had to remove the oil pan (like 10 or 12 small bolts) and the sensor was just right there. Pop the new one in, and put black gasket maker all around the oil pan (no gasket from the factory).
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Massachusetts, USA
Car
Mine had a faulty sensor....yours may too? Wasn't too bad for replacing. On my S600, I had to remove the oil pan (like 10 or 12 small bolts) and the sensor was just right there. Pop the new one in, and put black gasket maker all around the oil pan (no gasket from the factory).
Thanks everyone!
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From: Nebraska
2005 CLK500 cab, 2004 S600 designo mocha
It's so frustrating that Mercedes doesn't put a stupid dipstick in the engine and transmission. In your case, you could be causing serious damage to your engine by overfilling with oil.
I didn't realize this, but the part on azautohaus for your car is $110. Not exactly cheap for a sensor, but better than dealership prices I'm sure.
I didn't realize this, but the part on azautohaus for your car is $110. Not exactly cheap for a sensor, but better than dealership prices I'm sure.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Massachusetts, USA
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It's so frustrating that Mercedes doesn't put a stupid dipstick in the engine and transmission. In your case, you could be causing serious damage to your engine by overfilling with oil.
I didn't realize this, but the part on azautohaus for your car is $110. Not exactly cheap for a sensor, but better than dealership prices I'm sure.
I didn't realize this, but the part on azautohaus for your car is $110. Not exactly cheap for a sensor, but better than dealership prices I'm sure.
