Have I left an Oil-slick somewhere?

[Myros]

I have owned my 94 C280 for 45,000 of its 90,000 miles, and quite frankly, I put more oil on my salad than I do in the engine.
Until last week, total top-up over three years was 250cc. Last week however, I noticed the level was well down. I ended up putting in a litre to get back to the normal top red marker on the dipstick .
This vanishing trick took place over four days of mixed city/highway/mountain pass driving of about 1000 miles at all sorts of speeds.
No noises or leaks or smoke or anything else to worry me. I've done another 600 miles or so since the top up and no noticeable losses.
Have I been hoaxed by aliens, or is there something frightening about to happen ?

 

[43622]

Hi Myros,

I too have a c class (250d 1995) which I have olnly topped up about a cup full in the last 15 months ! (apart from regular services). I cant think why in the last 1k miles you needed so much oil.....if I were you I would have a good look in the engine bay just to eliminate the idea of any lind of leak.

Secondly just stick a 'gallon' tub of oil in the boot just in case something happens whilst your out....it might be one of those waiting games !

keep us posted !

andy

 

[Spike]

Hi speed/revving driving for long periods of time will increase your oil consumption.

1litre over 1000 miles is a little on the high side mind but not unheard of.

 

[Myros]

Oil-Slick?

Andy, many thanks for the promptness. I have a teeny-tiny seep at the top of the timing chain casing, which has accounted for the 250cc used over the last three years. My mechanic rightly thinks it's not worth attacking as it costs me about 10 pence a year. I always take two litres of fully-synthetic on my travels, but that is the volume required from bottom to top on the C280 dipstick. I was abroad last week, and couldn't have carried the 7.5 ltrs it takes from empty. I usually check the oil before every long journey, but missed a couple of days when in the mountains as I wasn't levelly parked. Good job I checked later. I am now in fully paranoiaic mode and am checking the dipstick after every stop. I am sure the oil was missing though.

 

[Myros]

Oil-Slick?

Spike, thank you too. I don't think I was thrashing it, although the mountains did need a bit more 3d and 4th than is usual. Fuel consumption was ok, better than normal in the UK. I cruise in the UK for long distances at the same kind of speeds ,70-80 ish, but the German leg of the journey, where the highest speeds of 90-100 were achieved, didn't show any increased oil use. It did get very hot on a steep hill in Lyon in long traffic jam. I'm wondering whether that made it vent some oil somewhere, or burn it off the cylinder walls or something due to crankshaft splashing. Maybe I should just take some "quiet life" pills and relax.

 

[teky]

just relax m8 its normal when you punnish your engine this way, heat = evaporation with cheap petrol based oil use synthetic

 

[Myros]

Oil-Slick?

Thank you too Teky. I always use synth or semi-synth, and it stays kitchen-clean from service to service. I can only think that some strange combination of heat (28C and higher for a fortnight) as well as steep long roads and foreign road signs coupled with general holiday enjoyment conspired to rob me of some oil. I'll certainly keep an eye on it until the next service.