amstel78

I got an error message on my dashboard today after adding 1QT of oil that states I need to remove excess engine oil. Dyno mode oil meter reads 10.3 QTS. Engine capacity according to the book says 11. I siphoned some oil out and dyno mode reading now shows 9.9 quarts but I still get an oil overfilled reading.

Bad sensor?

Btw, at what level is the "add oil" message supposed to come on? When I took delivery of this car, there was only about 8 qts of oil in it according to the dyno mode readout but I didn't get any warning indicators.

God I wished there was a proper dipstick for this car...

cmpcpro

You really need to get the dipstick to test it correctly.. it doesn't stay in the motor you only use it when checking.

cmpcpro

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162199714489

amstel78

Hey Chris, I have a dipstick for the transmission; just don't know where it should be for engine oil. Someone told me once but I'll have to search for it again.

Point being is, there's something not right here. Car should take 11 quarts of fluid. ECU is telling me it's overfilled past 9.5 QTS. My first thought is the sensor, but I still don't know enough to make that determination.

cmpcpro

You want to get the engine dip stick you can't use the tranny one.. I understand what your saying but I don't even use that system.. they are ten years old now I'm sure the sensors are all baked with oil.. I don't trust it one bit and I've heard countless stories like yours of them being totally off.. the dipstick is exact and you don't run any risk overfilling your engine and causing damage.

E42AMG???

Engine capacity is 11 I guarantee if you drain it you will fall well short of 11.
11 is capacity of the dry engine brand new before all the little valleys and crevices fill with oil, not to mention the oil cooler and filter housing.

amstel78

That's the exact same tool I have, except it's for the transmission. Same end piece and everything.

I've searched high and low for a proper dipstick for the Mercedes V12 engine, and haven't been able to find anything that would work.

VinnyT

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...ad=47433948732

amstel78

Sweet. Thanks Vinny!

MooksM275

Your sensor is fine. 9.5 is the max fill on this engine as far as dyno mode goes. Dyno mode reads what is in the pan (the sensor only reads this of course). The total capacity is increased as the oil cooler takes a large amount etc. I checked the dyno mode by draining all oil and filling quart by quart to get a reading. This reading checks out. Our cars have an "oil reserve" of 2 quarts. If you read the owners manual, there are 3 warnings for oil level-1 quart, 1.5 quarts, and 2 quarts. The system will only have warning not to drive when it is down more than 2 quarts. In fact, the system will only warn to add 1 quart when it is at 8.0 on dyno mode. Therefore, the system intends you to keep at 9.0 or near. (verified during oil change and slowly adding quarts to check dyno mode and warning).


The dipstick does not really work perfectly either btw. You read the level by looking at the mm on the dipstick but if you slightly put too much pressure on dipstick it will change reading. I double checked this level and everything was full at 9.0-9.5. WIS only gives MM reading for m275 600 engine but given that the 65 has no variation on design expect for increased oil cooling capacity, the mm reading is the same. (i believe 125mm)

I say that the best level to keep oil "full" is between 9.0 and 9.5-not overfill. One caveat, use dyno mode after car has sat for more than 20 minutes (preferrably longer) adn car must be on level ground. The system is very sensitive to being tilted and will change reading.

Best

amstel78

Thank you Mooks, the above is very helpful!

amstel78

BTW Mooks, if I understand correctly you're stating the sump only holds ~9.5 qts of oil. So when I drain by evacuator, I only expect to get ~9-9.5 qts of fluid out. Conversely, when refilling, only add the same amount that's come out? Does the 1 to 1.5 qts in the oil cooler not drain back into the sump?

cmpcpro

Out of curiosity why are you using the pump? I like running the motor and draining it hot so it gets all that sludge on the bottom of the pan. The extra fluid in the cooler is just fluid that can't be drained as it's in the lines and cooler but as you run the motor it gets mixed in and most is drained on the next change.. much like the tranny and having no plug on the converter.

amstel78

I only extract when the oil is warm. To answer your question, it's mostly out of convenience. I've been using an oil extractor for years on my BMW's and VW's and the extractor tends to get 99% of the old oil out of the pan. As such, it didn't make much sense to jack up the car to get the last tiny bit out.

cmpcpro

That's cool, and I may be totally wrong but I thought the fluid pouring out of the pan is what made all the junk on the bottom come out.. I thought I saw one of those car shows where they pulled a pan with gunk and said this is from sucking the oil out and not draining.. I may be wrong but that notion always stuck with me.

amstel78

Well, if you run the engine to temp and then suck out the oil, most of the gunk should still be in suspension. There really is very little the evacuator misses. I tested this once when I was changing the oil on my M3 years back. I used the topside evacuator and then jacked the car up and pulled the drain plug. Very little dribbled out. Maybe 6-10 ounces at the most. The extractor also helps to get the oil sitting at the bottom of the oil filter housing.

The only time you might run into problems with the evacuator is if there's a windage tray at the bottom of the oil pan and you can't get the extractor tube all the way to the lowest portion of the pan.