Where is my oil going?

[nickh]

W124 230e now 107500 miles. service coming up at 108000

Every time I change the oil & filter i put my 5litres in and always within the next 3000 miles
I need to add another litre as its all gone somewhere and i start getting tapping when initially starting engine). There are no leaks - no smoke when driving and starting up. The plugs are clean..

I always put decent 10/40 oil - Castrol GTX magnatec, even tried mobil1 (its alittle expensive to keep using this) as well as Genuine filter

the service history is faultless so I my assumtion its the valve stem oil seals? any ideas?

I would like to know can i do this without removing the head?

 

[Spike]

This is normal behavior and well within tolerance.

MB say it is acceptable up to about 1 Ltr per 1k miles.

 

[Myros]

oiliness

they all seem to use a bit in varying amounts. A litre in 3,000 isn't that bad, depending on who you refer to. It would make me worry because mine doesn't seem to use that much in a year and 15,000. If it's the valve guides, there will be a tell-tale puff of smoke from the exhaust on overrun. Get someone to follow you to check this. If it's rings, it will smoke on acceleration and while under load. Try using a semi-synthetic oil, it should work better and be less prone to evaporation/heat losses. Try the search function. A lot of people helped me when mine used a litre in four days ( see "have I left an oil slick somewhere). Also see the MB Oil charges thread, which has some info on the price of oil.
Good luck

 

[mlc]

Your oil usage is well within MB guidelines.

When I bought my 72 350SL I was amused to see that the handbook suggests that oil consumption of less than a pint per 250 miles is tolerable. Then we bought an SLK and the handbook suggest something not much better!

I think that MB must use the "old" route of allowing a little oil to pass the rings to give upper cylinder lubrication. This means that cyliner wear will be reduced and the engine will last longer, but it does mean a little oil usage. Having driven Fords for many years I find this process of adding oil strange, my Mondeo doesnt need topping up between services, but can I expect the engine to last 250K, unlikely!

Mark.

 

[nickh]

ok thanks folks. Sounds like nothing to worry about..
Just need to find myself someone who can supply the synthetic oils at a respectable price?