Check oil at next fuel stop
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,319
Likes: 1,675
S500
I had a reply ready :-) I was just reading an article in a car mag about the option on a particular BMW (X3M), it has a 3.5 k US$ option pack in the UK market, to turn off the 155mph limiter and push it to 177mph
It made me laugh - and reminded me about a McLaren F1 (the the original road car from 25 or so years ago)... rumour reached McLaren of this nutter who commuted to work in Germany and was regularly doing 330pkh (200mph) and they were going to out him as a liar, because when it comes in for its next service they can read his telemetry. But it turns out he was doing 200mph everyday on his way to and from work on public roads !!!! ( If I remember correctly one section he do about 6 mile at that speed all the time) in today's world that's a little slow - for the era it would have been be like hearing someone doing 300mph today
It made me laugh - and reminded me about a McLaren F1 (the the original road car from 25 or so years ago)... rumour reached McLaren of this nutter who commuted to work in Germany and was regularly doing 330pkh (200mph) and they were going to out him as a liar, because when it comes in for its next service they can read his telemetry. But it turns out he was doing 200mph everyday on his way to and from work on public roads !!!! ( If I remember correctly one section he do about 6 mile at that speed all the time) in today's world that's a little slow - for the era it would have been be like hearing someone doing 300mph today
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,319
Likes: 1,675
S500
so its supposed to have an o ring ? - always thought it looked like it should
oh - yes
part drawing 190, O-RING 12X2 001 A 01 999 776 45
oh - yes
part drawing 190, O-RING 12X2 001 A 01 999 776 45
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I hear you and that's a good engineering rationale. But the reality is, most Japanese and American engine designs don't guzzle oil like that, even under those conditions. So checking cold once a day/week/month/never works just fine. Are we driving cars or aircraft here?
All that said, the point is, I need to know what a normal level is on the dipstick, hot, because I will be taking a 2,500 mile trip in Feb and this car's oil consumption is completely unknown to me. Once I establish that the consumption is quite minimal, I can relax. But until then (considering I also just fixed the sensor) I really want to be able to trust the dipstick. Hence the question.
So I'll ask again: what do people see on their dipstick, hot, after 5 mins, with a KNOWN CORRECT oil quantity? O-ring or no O-ring?
All that said, the point is, I need to know what a normal level is on the dipstick, hot, because I will be taking a 2,500 mile trip in Feb and this car's oil consumption is completely unknown to me. Once I establish that the consumption is quite minimal, I can relax. But until then (considering I also just fixed the sensor) I really want to be able to trust the dipstick. Hence the question.
So I'll ask again: what do people see on their dipstick, hot, after 5 mins, with a KNOWN CORRECT oil quantity? O-ring or no O-ring?
Talking about the dip stick O-ring - in my car there is a small breather hole thru the wall of the dip stick tube right at the bottom of the wider top part so the O-ring should not have anything to do as how the dip stick reads the oil level. I think it is in place just to keep the top of the dip stick from rattling in the tube.
Last edited by Arrie; Jan 23, 2022 at 01:49 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 870
04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
There is a TSB about removing the O-ring to get a proper level. Otherwise it pushes the column of oil down the tube and gives a false low reading. I have verified this on my car. It clearly reads lower with the O-ring in place. All dipsticks have O-rings because it seals the crankcase. It is put under a slight vacuum for the PCV system and if that wasn't sealed it would be sucking in unmetered air.
Also, I finally checked it cold. Not perfectly level but it's where I park it. The level is slightly over max cold WITH the O-ring. Without the O-ring it's up to those 4 little tabs at the top of the plastic. Which is why you check it warm - it looks overfilled when cold.
Also, I finally checked it cold. Not perfectly level but it's where I park it. The level is slightly over max cold WITH the O-ring. Without the O-ring it's up to those 4 little tabs at the top of the plastic. Which is why you check it warm - it looks overfilled when cold.
Last edited by kevm14; Jan 22, 2022 at 08:34 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,319
Likes: 1,675
S500
went to the dealer about the O ring yesterday - UK Mkt no longer available !!! - only comes with a whole dipstick (crooks)
as for the level that's incredible... leave it long enough I guess it will get the right levels - but why bother, the car has a sensor on the engine that tells you its OK - yes if then topping up use the stick otherwise who cares what it thinks
most oil consumption stems for bad build or more likely from under doing the break in period
Idling any engine under 2k is bad... 1/8 throttle and 1500rpm it will never settle in and make good power and never get the rings to bed in to each bore correctly - all engine's need exercise... fully hot after 10 miles and give it everything its got every drive
As I mentioned earlier, unless you are doing 4k rpm for 2 hours or more over 130mph, 3 litres of the oil is basically doing nothing its entire life in there apart from emptying your wallet each change...
as for the level that's incredible... leave it long enough I guess it will get the right levels - but why bother, the car has a sensor on the engine that tells you its OK - yes if then topping up use the stick otherwise who cares what it thinks
most oil consumption stems for bad build or more likely from under doing the break in period
Idling any engine under 2k is bad... 1/8 throttle and 1500rpm it will never settle in and make good power and never get the rings to bed in to each bore correctly - all engine's need exercise... fully hot after 10 miles and give it everything its got every drive
As I mentioned earlier, unless you are doing 4k rpm for 2 hours or more over 130mph, 3 litres of the oil is basically doing nothing its entire life in there apart from emptying your wallet each change...
