More CLK niggles

[craigdm]

I've just treated the car to a top up of oil, as requested by the computer,
but now when I try to measure the oil level I get a error message saying that messuring is not possible ... Any idea what's going on here.

Also, I was a bit alarmed to see the dreaded milky gunk when I removed the oil cap.....is there any issues with HG failure on the 3.2 CLK Engine ???

 

[jberks]

I've just treated the car to a top up of oil, as requested by the computer,
but now when I try to measure the oil level I get a error message saying that messuring is not possible ... Any idea what's going on here.

Also, I was a bit alarmed to see the dreaded milky gunk when I removed the oil cap.....is there any issues with HG failure on the 3.2 CLK Engine ???

It sometimes takes a while before it will let you check. Assuming you haven't already, leave it switched off, parked on a flat surface for 10 mins and try again (without starting the engine - just flick on the ignition).

On the 'milky gunk'. I found some on my E240. From what I can tell, this is quite normal and caused by normal moisture. The head gaskets are pretty good normally so unless it's using water or there is oil in the coolant, steam out the exhaust or other symptoms, you should be ok.

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

I've just treated the car to a top up of oil, as requested by the computer,
but now when I try to measure the oil level I get a error message saying that messuring is not possible ... Any idea what's going on here.

Also, I was a bit alarmed to see the dreaded milky gunk when I removed the oil cap.....is there any issues with HG failure on the 3.2 CLK Engine ???

I think the computer likes the oil to be at operating temp then left to stand for a few minutes before it will check the oil level, well, I am quite sure that is how it works on my merc van.

If you have just bought the car it could be that the valeters were a bit over keen with the steamer while doing the engine bay and some water has been blown around the filler cap which a few short runs would then turn into condensation at the cap. Clean the cap and monitor the situation for a while after some decent length runs.

 

[Ultymate]

Some of the electronic dipsticks can take an hour+ before you get a reading after running:-?

 

[television]

Mine does,I hate it,

"Bring back the dip stick"


Malcolm

 

[Ultymate]

The local dealers here in N.Wales have actually come up with good old fashioned dipsticks for some of the models just for their own workshop use apparently

 

[nismo786]

My CLK 320 also has this milky gunk on the oil cap, I don't know if it is normal or not because it's my first Merc. It doesn't use up any water or heat up.

Even after cleaning the cap, i still get this residue after a little while, but not on the dip stick. So i think it is quite normal to have this milky residue unless it is the head gasket waiting to blow!!

Cheers

Nismo

 

[craigdm]

Note to self : Don't panic immediately when things don't work.

The oil level check worked fine once I got home from work, now I just need to worry about the gunk on the oil cap. I seems like there's a few people here with the same problem, and I do only travel about 4 miles to work every day, so perhaps I need to take it out for a decent blast. I'll check the water for any signs of oil at the weekend before I get too worried...

Is the HG a known failure item on this engine ???, or is it a very rare occurance ??... I've don't changed a HG in about 15 years, and I don't think I'd be tackling the job any time soon, thsoe days are long gone

 

[television]

The point here is that you must get condensation on anything that has been out in the cold and you bring it into the warm, the same goes for the engines and this has always been the case. Warm air rises and condenses in the cap, and yes it will always be worse on cars that do short journeys. When the car is used on motorways the constant splash from the rockers keep it cleaner or wash it off where it is disolved into the oil. Also on short journeys the engine seldom reaches the true running temperture that dries the system out.

If you are not using water, why worry, with modern engines and tighter build tolerances, head gaskit replacement in genral is becomming a thing of the past.

Malcolm