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So had my W222 S350d Diesel serviced two weeks ago, oil change clearly listed on the work list as expected.
After 430 miles since the service I checked the oil level today, Oil appears to very black would expect it to be more of a gold colour after only 430 miles, level looks low too.
The oil colour and level looks very similar to that prior to dropping in on the day of the service, now I suspect the oil was never changed.
I've attached a few photos, any comments much appreciated.
Thinking ill get an oil analysis done as it on my mind now.
Orange markings is light reflection from my camera flash
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
I have owned several diesels. Due to oil coolers and oil lines there is still a lot of residual oil in the system and diesel oil doesn't always show golden like a gas motor. It gets contaminated with the old nasty oil quick. BUT each car is different. If you have changed it prior and it showed golden after the change I would be suspect. I have also seen the oil change scam many times. Although unforgivable...they don't care, it's about money for them. I would do the analysis but while waiting for results I would question them. I had an issue with MB curbing my rim. They claimed it was like that and I stated it absolutely wasn't. Turned out they were able to follow my car on camera from the drop off area to the service bay and had it on camera as he turned into the bay hit the lift arms with my rim!! After questioning and why, ask if they can prove it with a camera.
Its this nonsense why I still change my own fluids, thank God for my lift as it makes it easy.
Didnt want to go back to them just yet as Im not 100% sure if it was changed... hence the reason Im thinking about doing the Oil Analysis to confirm.
If they have forgotten to do the oil change not sure I trust they did the remainder of the service properly , oil filter or brake fluid change etc.
Letting me out to drive another 12 months on this oil is unforgivable in my book especially when im paying premium service prices.
Not sure about the Oil color, but the Brake Fluid should be clear in the MC. That will not start to change color for about a year, especially if they did a flush. I do my own flush every 2 years with the Motive Kit.
I need to get a motive kit, I had the brake fluid flush done on mine and I know they didnt have the wheel key.. made me wonder too.
It can be done without removing the wheels, however you would for sure see signs that they were at each wheel. Its a tight location to get to the bleeder valves. Its sad, that's why I like to do most maintenance myself, I actually enjoy doing it. I would say 7 out of 10 times, they damage something else or leave a piece of trim loose, missing clip etc.... Most if any do not treat your vehicle as if its there own. Its always good to find the tech that's doing the work and give him a tip before he / she starts the work. Not a solution, but it helps. Quite a few times, I send a 6' hero to the shop for the techs, they usually come out and thank me, then they get to know me and my vehicles.
Thanks for all the replies, I ran the engine for 5 mins to warm up the oil and extracted 50mls or so via the dipstick.
Photo below of the exact oil Im told was used during the service new from the bottle and from the engine after 450 miles.
So Im sending a sample of for the following test:
£39.99 Silver Analysis Package – Engine
Spectrochemical scan to detect Wear and additive metals, Viscosity @ 40 C, Soot Contamination (TIM), Glycol , Water, Dirt and TBN (Total Base Number) –
Ideal for checking if the oil needs changing
I need to get a motive kit, I had the brake fluid flush done on mine and I know they didnt have the wheel key.. made me wonder too.
Its actually a snap with the kit. I flush all my vehicles every 2 years or if I notice the fluid start to get darker. On average it takes about 45 min from start to finish. What some people do is use Blue Fluid, then the next flush use the Clear Fluid. Easy way to tell you got everything. The only thing I did not do or try is using the software to let the car purge the Anti Lock Brakes. I you don't own a Quick jack, you can use those black ramps from AutoZone. I drive about 6" up on the front ramps, then place 2 under the rear. Then drive up on all 4. Now you can scoot around under to check for leaks, Oil Change ect… Just remember to keep the car in the raised position and when backing off, stop as soon as the rear wheels hit the ground, otherwise your ramps will get stuck.
Thanks for all the replies, I ran the engine for 5 mins to warm up the oil and extracted 50mls or so via the dipstick.
Photo below of the exact oil Im told was used during the service new from the bottle and from the engine after 450 miles.
So Im sending a sample of for the following test:
£39.99 Silver Analysis Package – Engine
Spectrochemical scan to detect Wear and additive metals, Viscosity @ 40 C, Soot Contamination (TIM), Glycol , Water, Dirt and TBN (Total Base Number) –
Ideal for checking if the oil needs changing.
Walmart has the Cheapest Mobile 1 Syn for your car and free delivery.
I know with Diesels it gets dirty very quick, but no way in my opinion that dirty. Why risk the chance. Just do it your self knowing it was done 100% and find another dealer. Even if the oil is still OK from the test, you will still be putting way too many miles on it if you follow the DIC and wait to change again. If it were me, I would not go beyond 1 year anyway. But Diesels are different.
I know they are not MB engines ,but my Kubota and JCB Perkins diesels oil is Black again shortly after I Change them , but I change the oil so there is no doubt when it was done
That is a really SH%^&Y thing to have to wonder about.....I hope they did change it for your sake......but damn, that will be one interesting excuse if they didn't. I could imagine what they'd say, "oh people make mistakes" or "accidents happen".
Hope this works out for the positive.
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
I know when I had a diesel the oil would look terrible black in short order from when I changed it. Interesting when you do drain the old you dont want any of it on your hands. It literally stains your hands for a while even after washing................
Based on your photos, you are definitely doing the right thing in getting it analyzed. If it is that dark after only 450 miles, I can't comprehend how nasty it would be after 5000 miles. I will definitely be checking this thread daily to see what you find out.
I need to send my oil sample from Ireland to the UK for analysis so it may take a few days, but once I have the results I'll come back here with an update.
I've dipped my finger in the oil for a few minutes and it wipes clean without leaving any staining, it feels very smooth also but at this stage I wouldnt be happy until Ive had it analysed.
For the last 15 years I've always serviced my other cars myself this is the first time Ive sent a car into a MB dealer for a service (as its within the warranty period) so maybe its just paranoia
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
Originally Posted by sclass350d
I need to send my oil sample from Ireland to the UK for analysis so it may take a few days, but once I have the results I'll come back here with an update.
I've dipped my finger in the oil for a few minutes and it wipes clean without leaving any staining, it feels very smooth also but at this stage I wouldnt be happy until Ive had it analysed.
For the last 15 years I've always serviced my other cars myself this is the first time Ive sent a car into a MB dealer for a service (as its within the warranty period) so maybe its just paranoia
Like I said earlier diesel oil is nasty. On some of my diesels after an oil change I did, they would show cleaner for about a week then go black. But I had one truck that would go black and nasty in a day. Either way they last, but maintenance is the key. Doubling your oil change interval by being scammed will definitely shorten it's life. I would be concerned too. Did you asked the dealer for any proof explaining your thoughts??
We have had VW diesels for years and we had several issues with the dealer. Twice they put the wrong spec oil in, once we proved the oil change wasn't done with an analysis. That car would show clean for a week and it was nasty black the day we picked it up, so I did an analysis that day.
Between the correct oil, (not some bulk cheap oil put in every car) and the right filter, to them actually NOT doing it, I do all of our oil changes on all our cars. We haven't had an oil related engine problem in 20 years. I am thankful for having a garage and a lift as I am getting older to make it easy. I am aware how inconvenient and difficult this can be for many.
A couple of years ago I had an injury and had to get an oil change on one of my cars with a dry sump. ( a very different oil change) I brought my oil and filter to the shop, explained each part of the procedure and watched it being done. The response from the tech was "wow, cool, I never did one of these before"!!!!! I taught him. Not one thought of opening a book or looking up a procedure? I have read of countless nightmare oil change stories which have lead to me to doing it or if need be instructing and watching.
Got the oil analysis report back today (see attached) , looks like they did indeed change the oil so that puts my mind at ease now.
Total Base No starting point at 6 mgKOH/g so a reading of 5.3 after 450 miles does appear to be consistent with a recent oil change added factor of a low insoluble matter (TIM) is further proof so I'm told.
Rather than waiting the full 15,000 miles for the next oil change ill be changing the oil myself with Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 @ 7,500 miles/ 6 months via the dip stick extractor method, or maybe doing all oil changes myself leaving my dealer to do the other service items.
Last edited by sclass350d; May 15, 2019 at 08:00 AM.
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
Thanks for the update. My old GMC Duramax pickup went black in a day. If I wasn't doing the oil change I would have questioned it myself! Diesels are great and do last forever, but oil changes and filters are the key to it. 15k is a ridiculous interval. Do an analysis at 7500 with the Mobil 1 ESP and you will know a good number. I will bet 7-9K. Good luck
Last edited by seamus2154; May 15, 2019 at 10:23 PM.
Got the oil analysis report back today (see attached) , looks like they did indeed change the oil so that puts my mind at ease now.
Total Base No starting point at 6 mgKOH/g so a reading of 5.3 after 450 miles does appear to be consistent with a recent oil change added factor of a low insoluble matter (TIM) is further proof so I'm told.
Rather than waiting the full 15,000 miles for the next oil change ill be changing the oil myself with Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 @ 7,500 miles/ 6 months via the dip stick extractor method, or maybe doing all oil changes myself leaving my dealer to do the other service items.
I do the same on my S350d.
Oil does indeed.go black straight away!
I have had one Mercedes Dealer use Mobil Super 5w30 Semi Synthetic and another use Mobil 1 5w30.
I use Castrol 5w30 LL and a Bosch filter for my mid point oil and filter change.
No way I would leave the oil in a DPF equipped diesel for 15k with the amount of urban running I do.
I know this is an old post but I have had many diesels and done my own servicing .On my XJ when I replaced the oil it was black almost immediately so I don’t think you need to worry .
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
Agree. the only time you will see clean oil in a diesel is when its brand new before it gets contaminated. Diesels are the hardest to tell if the oil has been changed for this reason. There is so much residual oil in the system from oil coolers and oil lines it immediatly goes black. Need to see it done to know or do an oil analysis.
Ya, no way to tell if it was changed by looking at the stick with diesels, theres a lot of soot in the old oil that gets mixed in immediately with the new oil. I drove a VW TDI for years and that was the case. Best way to tell is see if you can wait for the car when it's changed and watch them drain it. That's what I try and do, tell them to pull it into the bay with a window if they have one.
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