C250TD - Engine oil - What do other TD owners use?

[Anonymous]

*Apologies for raising yet another oil related question*

My C250TD has just been serviced by a MB dealer who tell me the engine oil used/recommended is a Castrol 10w/30 semi-synthetic.  

In the past I've tended to use Mobil 1 (inc. the diesel derivative) on most things involving turbo-charging, without any problems.  However, the dealer insists that M'1 is far to thin for the 5 pot motor.  On the other hand, I've come across at least two dealers who recommend Mobils' finest.

Anyhow, the problem is I can't seem to locate a semi-synth 10/30 oil, let alone one manufactured by Castrol (or suitable for a TD).

Can any of the turbo-diesel owners advise what grade/make of oil they use ?  

Any recommendations for alternatives to the elusive Castrol 10/30 appreciated.

 

[Andy]

C250TD - Engine oil

Hi Dave

Yep you hit on a highly contentious issue.
But MB know recommend Mobil 1, you can also get a diesel direvitive of it now as well. I use Mobil Super S which is a true semi synthetic. 50/50. But have Mobil 1 on site if any body wants it. We are actually doing a promotion for the stuff.
Hope this helps.

Carry on with what your happiest with.

Regards
Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Thanks for that Andy.  It's always re-assuring to get the thumbs-up from the professionals.  It seems even the dealerships can't agree on which oil to use.

I'd be happy to stick with this semi-synth but I've been unable to find the stuff.   Might have to go for the (Diesel) Mobil 1 afterall.

Shame the other diesel owners out there haven't responded!

 

[Matt Crooke]

C250TD - Engine oil

Sorry to be a tagger here, only im doing the oil and filter on the 190 this weekend. Anyone know the best option for the oil?

 

[Koolvin]

C250TD - Engine oil

Quote: from Matt Crooke on 12:21 pm on May 9, 2002
Sorry to be a tagger here, only im doing the oil and filter on the 190 this weekend. Anyone know the best option for the oil?

if you have been using Dino oil stick to it , dont change to a synthetic now. Castrol do a Dino/synthetic mix.

(Edited by Koolvin at 1:59 pm on May 9, 2002)

 

[Matt Crooke]

C250TD - Engine oil

Will do, thanks for that.

 

[DaveT]

C250TD - Engine oil

Sorry for delay, dave. I've put Millers XFD in my c250 TD auto and it seems to suit it fine- bit expensive, but so was the car....
Love the motor; the 5-cylinder growl grows on you and 38-ish mpg is fair enough in my book.
Still wondering whether to get the transmission fluid changed (60k syndrome).

DaveT (1996 C250 TD- aquamarine)

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Thanks Mr T.

I've heard Millers mentioned before but haven't actually come across it.  Is it a 5w40 grade oil and is it available in general motor factors, or more specialist outlets ?  

The cost isn't really an issue as I don't mind spending more for the additional protection and smoothness it should provide.

I agree with you about the engine tone under acceleration.  It always reminds me of one of those expensive power launches and their powerful marine diesels.  My wife still comments on how cool it sounds when I drive away in the mornings (on the odd occasion I get to use it :sad.  

I think the most we've got out of ours is about 40mpg but that was on a long relaxed motorway run at about 70 with cruise on.  It's no slouch either.  Once it's moving [auto box is always in W] the in-gear acceleration is tremendous - the Diesel Car test I have lists it's 30-50 and 50-70mph times at 3.5 & 5.6 seconds respectively (that's for the estate).

Thanks again for the info.

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Thanks Mr T.

I've heard Millers mentioned before but haven't actually come across it.  Is it a 5w40 grade oil and is it available in general motor factors, or more specialist outlets ?  

The cost isn't really an issue as I don't mind spending more for the additional protection and smoothness it should provide.

I agree with you about the engine tone under acceleration.  It always reminds me of one of those expensive power launches and their powerful marine diesels.  My wife still comments on how cool it sounds when I drive away in the mornings (on the odd occasion I get to use it :sad.  

I think the most we've got out of ours is about 40mpg but that was on a long relaxed motorway run at about 70 with cruise on.  It's no slouch either.  Once it's moving [auto box is always in W] the in-gear acceleration is tremendous - the Diesel Car test I have lists it's 30-50 and 50-70mph times at 3.5 & 5.6 seconds respectively (that's for the estate).

Thanks again for the info.

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Millers is good oil and a lot cheaper than Mobil1.  These engines should run a 10W 40 spec as specified.  The 40 will give the hot engine film strength while the 10 W gives cold start viscosity.  I am currently using Millers XFD 5W 40.  This will give good protection and has MB approval, and Millers are waiting confirmation fro VW 505.5 approval.  I have noticed the service counter is counting slightly more slowly with this oil fill than the dealers mineral oil fill, strangely as I am driving more town miles pro-rata.
To all owners of 5 speed auto cars I recommend changing the AT fluid at 60K.  MB recommend 100k, but you will probably encounter problems with the valve body before if you dont change.

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Thanks Dieselman.

I'm going to check out the Millers stuff.  Their website "www.millersoils.co.uk" has the facility to list local stockests via you postcode.  There a couple in the area so I'll give them a go.

The autobox issue is a definate concern.   The motor has done 32K so far, but I think we'll definately get the auto fluid changed between now and 60K.

 

[Andy]

C250TD - Engine oil

Hi all,

I agree with Dieselman, with regards to the gearbox oil change. Although its by no  means conclusive that you will have valve body problems. Nor is conclusive that the failure of the valve body is due to the lack of oil changes.

Although there has been much discussion on this forum. In reality especially in my workshop, (where we are seeing high volumes of higher millage cars) . Only a very small percentage have any g\box related problems at all.

So what I am trying to say, is although there is a problem at times with these electronic boxes (please note that its not only MB with this problem), its by no means neccessary to get paranoid about it.

Personally as I have said before I would change it. Especially if it was my vehicle. But I can't start telling my customers to get it changed when the oil is £70.00 alone. Nobody as far as I am aware besides MB manufacturers the oil. Or is aloud to supply outside of MB. I talked with the Mobil rep, extensively on this subject. And considering the box has been with us some time. Very little is known about the oil.

What I will say, is that fitting the wrong oil, is tantamount, to wrecking the box anyway. So for the mean time. MB has got us by the Short & Curlies.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

PS. If anybody knows different and has written evidence to support their argument I for one would be willing to take a look!

 

[Matt Crooke]

C250TD - Engine oil

EEK!!! i was going to change the box oil in mine tomorrow......hopefully being an antique mine will be a bit cheaper.

 

[Hopin]

C250TD - Engine oil

Re Dave>> I run a C250 D -straight,no Turbo. I always use Halfords fully Synthetic.No Probs.( for the last four years)

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Andy

The AT fluid is manufactured by Sh*ll
I believe and I have heard of people using Febi oil.
In my book the £70 odd quid for the MB oil and filter was expensive, but is cheap maintenance compared to a box rebuild.

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Hopin:  that's pretty re-assuring given that the only major difference is the turbo.  What concerned me most was the stealership guy's statement that synthetics (e.g. Mobil1) were too thin for the 5 pot diesel.  

At least now I have a couple of recommended options to choose from....both of which seem cheaper than M1.

It's also nice to know we have plenty of diesel owners on board - I look forward to meeting some of you at the next GTG.

 

[Andy]

C250TD - Engine oil

Hi all,

Matt, no problem with your vehicle. Dextron II, don't forget to change the torque converter oil as well.

Dieselman. Again I have to agree, £70.00 is cheap against a box rebuild. But trying to convince people its better to insure against a problem rather than fix it later. Wellllll Its an up hill strugle.

Don't forget if you want to use Mobil 1 for your diesel cars they now have a  10/40 or 15/40 fully synthetic its one of the two I can't remember. Probably just as expensive. But its there if you want it.

I will try and check out the Sh*ll
angle on the box fluid. But it wouldn't suprise me if MB have locked them into a deal where nobody else can have it. The Big Boys can do that can't they?

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Andy

I don't know how this stacks up with your findings but I once read that every pound spent on servicing prevents ten pounds on repairs.  Unfortunately this was aimed at DIY but probably holds good and should give your customers something to think about.

 

[Anonymous]

C250TD - Engine oil

Andy

I don't know how this stacks up with your findings but I once read that every pound spent on servicing prevents ten pounds on repairs.  Unfortunately this was aimed at DIY but probably holds good and should give your customers something to think about.

 

[Andy]

C250TD - Engine oil

Dieselman.

I have a vehicle in at the moment. E280, customer tried to replace the front distributor housing seal. Fairl easy job.Couple of hours work. Too cut a long story short. The vehicle was recovered to me. Would only turn over about 30degrees both way then lock up. Removed the cyl head. To find every inlet valve (4valves per cyl) head sitting nicely on the piston crown. Two of the inlet valve seats had be cracked serverly where the stem of the valve had penetrated the seat then rammed itself into the cyl head.  All inlet guides cracked.

The moral of the story? Well you tell me. All I know, is a good technician makes the job look easy!!!!!!!!

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com