Thanks for the data. Stuff is sort of brown and muddy looking. I am guessing PO did not drive it to hot or long much. He also may have believed the marketing, and gone with book intervals. That may mean I have to flush the transmission and engine to clear the snot out and start kind of new.
clay On Jul 22, 2013, at 3:47 AM, Larry T wrote: > 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 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>> 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 >>>> >>> _______________________________________ >>> 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 >> > > _______________________________________ > http://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 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
