229.3 or 229.31 Oil

[Taihape]

Just had E320 CDI (Euro IV) engine serviced in Grangemouth by MB Dealer car has been fillled with Mobil 1 5 W40 , all previous services and top ups have been with W30 oil which meets MB OEM 229.31 when challenged service manager assures me I have nothing to worry about.I phone MB helpline they say "no it must be 229.31 not 229.3" I re-contact service manager who suggests that the oil in the car is low ash etc I ask him to provide evidence it is MB approved and I do not get categoric answer , what I get is I'll get back to you but the technical advice from MB is not right. I queried if this was placing my Mobilo Life warranty at risk due to using non MB approved oil, no answer !
Help, am I wrong or am I just getting worried about nothing, I think I'm being fobbed off but I do feel a bit out of my depth, any advice welcome.

 

[David Nock]

Unless the engine spec is greatly different from mine I think you are getting worried about nothing. When I researched my oil for top up for my 270CDI (2004), Mobil 1 was the business (although it was 0W 40 to spec 229.3 that I bought when I look at the bottle). The whole question of what oil to use is complicated and the service books are hopeless, they should go back to giving examples as in the old days. Everyone (more or less) will need the correct oil for topping up at some stage and if you're not an oil technologist (what's the name for them) you need better info than MB provide in the book.

 

[David Nock]

Unless the engine spec is greatly different from mine I think you are getting worried about nothing. When I researched my oil for top up for my 270CDI (2004), Mobil 1 was the business (although it was 0W 40 to spec 229.3 that I bought when I look at the bottle). The whole question of what oil to use is complicated and the service books are hopeless, they should go back to giving examples as in the old days. Everyone (more or less) will need the correct oil for topping up at some stage and if you're not an oil technologist (what's the name for them) you need better info than MB provide in the book.

Got it myself, it's a tribologist? Came out me'ead!

 

[steve.link]

EURO IV Engines definitely need the 229.31 oil. The 1 on the end denotes "low ash". Ii understand its to stop contamination in the Deisel Particulate Filter. I had a 05 W211 with a EURO IV spec and I had to purchase my own oil as the MB dealer claimed they didn't stock it. There is also a 229.51 version which gives extended drain intervals.

If it was my car I would insist they change the oil for the correct type imediatly.

 

[David Nock]

EURO IV Engines definitely need the 229.31 oil. The 1 on the end denotes "low ash". Ii understand its to stop contamination in the Deisel Particulate Filter. I had a 05 W211 with a EURO IV spec and I had to purchase my own oil as the MB dealer claimed they didn't stock it. There is also a 229.51 version which gives extended drain intervals.

If it was my car I would insist they change the oil for the correct type imediatly.

Ah, I see, then my engine IS an earlier spec diesel. Sorry all and thanks for the correct information.

 

[Rory]

I had a 05 W211 with a EURO IV spec and I had to purchase my own oil as the MB dealer claimed they didn't stock it.

I find that astonishing! Many of the vehicles they service would be EuroIV - are they really putting the wrong oil in them?

There is a Mobil1 229.31 - called Mobil1 ESP (emission system protection). It's a 5W30.


The 270CDi engine (which I have too) is EuroIII - MB dropped it as it needed too much work to make it EuroIV.

 

[Taihape]

Solution, MB Dealer relented after my considerable persistance that the oil was wrong thus full oil change has now been carried out. Did the wrong oil do any lasting damage over the 300 miles it was in ?? I doubt it but I am pushing for letter of comfort from dealer to this effect that in the event of particulate filter probs etc if use of wrong oil may have been a contributory factor it will be up to MB to make good. On this topic I have still to receive a written apology and goodwill gesture ie free service or refund. If I had a poor meal or paid for another type of service which was not up to standard every effort would be made to a) remedy the problem and b)retain my custom for the future.
So far neither has happened , having paid in excess of £400 for a B service I do wonder what would have happened if I had not spotted the fact that the original oil used was wrong and what about other cars which have been treated the same way.
If MB are serious about we the customers following their lead and using approved dealerships we should be treated with a bit more respect or am I wrong.
I'll keep you posted as and when a response comes from MB.

 

[Rory]

Preseumeably they've put the wrong oil into hundreds or maybe thousands of cars.

 

[type49]

5w30 oil is for the low-ash particulate filter engine. 0w40 is Mobil 1