Not off topic at all! If I understand your description of the gunk
around the filler cap it sounds like it may be condensation which is
normally forced to evaporate when the engine is driven long enough to
get fully warmed up and stay warmed up for several miles. If the
sludge is kind of grayish and the consistency of jello it may be
condensation. If not, never mind. ;-) But in any case, sludge should
not be forming on a engine receiving regular oil changes. Perhaps the
PO failed to change the oil at regular intervals? I'm not familiar
with the sensors MB uses to tell owners when to change their oil but if
it goes more than 9000 miles or so I'd get antsy and change it
anyway. We've done a number of TBN tests of various oils and the
Total Base Number starts to be depleted after around 9000 miles. I
know, some people go more miles than that without apparent problems but
that's what the lab numbers say. Of course, different oils, weights, sub
brands, and other factors contribute to different TBNs and their
depletion rate. Total Base Number is a measure of the oils ability to
neutralize the acids that are created by the combustion process.
So it's a difference between black gooey stuff and a creamy grayish
stuff. If it's black and gooey IMO oil changes have been neglected.
If it's grayish and creamy, it's not being fully warmed up.....
Condensation is a common problem for people who start their car,
drive a couple of miles to work/school or whatever and shut it down.
I don't know what your driving habits are (or more likely the
PO's) but if an engine is going to be started, it needs to be driven
until it is warm, then maintain that heat for a while - this will force
evaporate any moisture that condenses overnight. If the thermostat is
not working properly the engine can fail to reach operating temp - my 91
300D was like this when we bought it and it never got above 160F - but
this was winter in Va.
LarryT
91 300D
The Oil Analysis Co.
youroil.net
On 7/21/2013 3:35 PM, clay wrote:
A little off topic
The w220 is one of the new, long period lubrication engines. Previous cars got
regular oil swaps between 3-6k miles. They probably got driven a bit more as
well. I never noticed sludge, except on Gump after the cam tower broke and I
stopped driving it. A few month later the sludge covered the cam lobes.
I got the S430 with 104k miles and around 800 miles until it wanted an A
service. Drove it for 1200 miles before the oil change. Before the trip (SEA
to DEN in 20 hours) I removed the filler cap and found some thick sludge like
crap. I thought the trip would thin it out. Service B is in 8k miles. I
think the shop used a Shell full synth.
Should I use a SeaFoam or other cleaner in 3k and change the oil? Will that
cut through the sludge?
clay
2002 s430 - Victor, a Stately & well tailored chap
1974 450sl - Frosch - Two tone green
1972 220D - Gump - She was green, simple and ran
1995 E300D - Gave her life to save me against a Dame in a SUV
POS 1987 SDL - Beware Nigerian Scammers
On Jul 20, 2013, at 5:11 PM, Larry T wrote:
I'll send you a kit -- are you still at the same address? Please keep the
crankcase attached to the engine til you can run it about 3 or 4 minutes so the
fuel can circulate andany contamination can be suspended in the oil. Leaving
the case on with the oil in it allows the engine to start and also keeps the
oil as is until you get the kit and can put a few ounces directly from the
crankcase to the provided bottle. Using any other container can contaminate
the sample and it may be a waste of time/money. I'll put the kit in the mail
Monday - IIRC you live pretty close to me - should have the kit Wed or Thurs I
think.
How's that sound? I'll send you a invoice later next week and you can send a
Paypal payment or call/email me with a credit card. A single Kits are a
$21.95 plus shipping. 3 Kit Packs are a little cheaper.... more are cheaper
still... I hate to bring up payment as I know what kind of expense you will
face if you intend to keep that MB!
I'm having trouble finding your last invoice or analysis report -what is your
full name please?
Take care --
Larry 91 300D
On 7/19/2013 10:27 PM, WILTON wrote:
'Thought I sent this to the list yesterday; 'turns out I sent it to myself. I
guess that's why I got no responses today. ;<)
I'm thinking the extra "stuff" in my SDL oil pan is fuel (well, most,
anyway). 'Sniffed and felt it several days ago when I discovered the
shockingly extra volume of "oil" and again yesterday; 'can't detect fuel
smell, but sure looks and feels like fuel - oil appears very diluted. Extra
quantity of oil appearing at exactly same time as missing significant
quantity of coolant certainly made me jump on coolant, but lack of "foam"
and cafe au lait appearance seems to point away from coolant somewhat,
though I did see a few bubbles. BTW, overflow tank was under excessive
(yes, excessive) pressure when I removed cap the day I found it empty. What
about firmness of upper rad hose?
Isn't the IP the only place where oil and fuel are in close proximity?
Somebody 'splain their separation (or lack thereof) in the IP.
BTW, car starts with just touch of starter and idles nicely. Coupla days
ago, after the missing coolant incident, it started instantly but ran
roughly and haltingly for few seconds then smoothed out.
'Gonna remove the diluted oil and put some new oil in so I can drive it a
bit.
Larry, whatdya need for oil analysis?
I'm still leaning toward letting 'er go; y'all prepare your bids. ;<)
BTW, tranny rebuilt 4 or 5 years ago; cruise and climate controls work nicely -
blows ICE COLD, no rust. :<)
Wilton
----- Original Message ----- From: "WILTON" <wilt...@nc.rr.com>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] '91 350SDL bad news
If I "give up," it hasn't been so easily and quickly; 'been nursing this car for 17 ears - since timing chain
broke at 89 kmi and I learned about the rod-bender 350's. To "give up" or to "go quietly" is very
uncharacteristic of me, but sometimes ya need to "fold 'em," to. ;<)
Wilton
----- Original Message ----- From: "Randy Bennell" <rbenn...@bennell.ca>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] '91 350SDL bad news
On 18/07/2013 9:51 AM, Alex Chamberlain wrote:
On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 7:29 AM, Curt Raymond <curtlud...@yahoo.com> wrote:
I feel its a shame to not fix this car...
I thought Rich and Max _were_ going to fix it, hence the offer of $500
+ trailer? IIRC Rich has a replacement engine already lined up ready
to go, or ready to donate its head if that's all that's needed.
Alex
BUT, we are trying to persuade Wilton not to give up easily and dispose of a
beautiful car for $500 (evn if someone else on the list)
Randy
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To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
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_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com
To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com
To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
_______________________________________
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To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
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