C240 Oil Change

[Dave Austen]

Please can anybody tell me if the Oil can be changed by removing a drain plug in the sump, or does it have to be sucked out via the dipstick tube.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Andy]

Hi Dave,

You can change the oil from the sump plug as normal. Remove the covers and hey presto a sump plug.

It is interesting to note that there are rumours that MB may be doing away with sump plugs.

Why do they need them when all there dealers suck out the oil. Or should do if they have all the equipment MB recommend for there workshops.

After all look how many deutsch marks or euros you can save by not having sump plugs.


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com


PS. I hasn't happened yet. But I have no doubt will promote a response from this forum!!!

 

[Dave Austen]

Andy

Many thanks for your advise and quick resonse.

kind Regards

Dave

 

[kerryaston]

Interestly that you say that all dealers suck out the oil via the dipstick.

No doubt it is easier than draining via the sump plug but why does the dealer always charge for a new sump washer - if they are not touching the sump nut?

 

[fuzzer]

Id rather pay a quid for a sump washer rather than come out one morning to find £50 of mobil 1 running down my driveway.

 

[PeterKK]

I have not problem in paying for a sump washer when the oil has been drained by the sump plug.

but as Andy says all dealers suck the oil out of the dipstick (if they have got the equipment recommended by MB), so never need to remove the sump plug - and hence no washer is needed?

Is there any advantage of draining via the sump plug (remove more oil?)
Which way does Andy do it? Andy usually knows best.....

 

[Tony Browne]

Dave.... Its much better to drain the oil via the sump bung rather than by
suction because the suction method can leave carbon deposits behind
and other engine debris.

 

[Andy]

Hi All

Thanks Peter for the vote of confidence. But there is a wealth of information and knowledgeable people on here. And differing ideas. Which all go to make an interesting forum.

Tony I am not sure I would agree with you. I have done tests where. Drained the sump via the dipstick tube. Then checked the sump. Minimal oil came out. As long as the engine is very hot. Then the sucker pulls everything out quickly & efficiently.

On the early 200230e's 123 & 124,201. They suffered more from sludging to due lack of oil changes. When you changed the oil from the drain plug. You still had to do it again 500miles later as there was still debris in there. Engines mainly with the paper filter.s But the catridge engines still suffered. The only way to get everything out was to remove the sump pan. And steam clean it out. You would find a fine sludge in there.


Any every body to there own. But it is less hassle to pull the oil from out the dipstick tube. It should be cheaper for you at the local stealership to. If you just want an oil service.

As why the charge for a sump bung. The parts are probably still charging it out. The mechanics just continue to collect them. Stacked to the roof in their tool boxes. But HEYYYY who's worried about 13p plus the vat!!!


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com


PS. I have found the draining of the sump of auto boxes very good with the sucker as well. You still have to get underneath to remove the sump pan to get at the filter and drain the torque converter. But it still saves a little mess.

 

[NormanB]

Topsider

Andy

Do you have official Merc kit for drawing the oil up and/or do you know UK source of one suitable for miserly DIYers like meself!

NormanB

 

[Andy]

Hi Norman,

Some of the boys looking at your reply may well be able to advise you better than I. The kit is available from most oil drainer stockist to the trade. I know there is a DIY version. Some of the contributors have spoken about them.

I have no doubt you will be inundated with info.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[mikeruse]

Being Fat & Fifty and somewhat hamfisted it was a Godsend to find oil sucking out machines on some petrol station forecourts in Germany when I lived there a few years ago.
It took about twenty minutes to empty, change the filter and refill.
I've only ever seen them in Germany: has anybody seen them elsewhere?

Mike

 

[simon]

Sucking v draining is much tortured & discussed subject,especially in the old USA forums with mile long threads, taking aspects into microscopic detail.My interpretation was that sucking won the case,especially when ease & simplicity for DIY operators was included.Widespread use of DIY vacuum extractors exists over there. Similar suction devices are available here in UK(Threads on these exist in our forum archives) mainly in Marine Chandlers where a range of simple to sophisticated items may be obtained. it is not easy to drain a marine diesel by grubbing around in the bilges.

Ernest Sidesman

 

[Guy]

I've only ever seen them in Germany: has anybody seen them elsewhere?

Most of the larger French and Spanish motorway service stations have oil change bays.

You can have it done over lunch while shouting at the kids for not eating the foreign food.

Very therapeutic.

 

[Tony Browne]

Hi Andy, i take your point, but im old fashioned and still would rather drain that ****** black stuff...... :roll: