Mercedes Engine Oil Dipstick

[Racerboy2003]

Having looked for a dipstick for my 2003 SL55 I found it doesn't have one!!! Enquired at Mercedes and the list price is about £190!!!!!!

I'm in the US at present and have found a place that does a "replica" which works out about £35 with postage.
Here's the detail:

Dipstick is equivalent to MB Tool #120 589 07 21 00.
C230 with M271 engine
C240, C320, C32 AMG, CLK320, E320, SLK320, SLK32 AMG with M112 engine
C55 AMG, CLK500, CLK55 AMG, E500, E55k AMG, CLS500, CLS55k AMG, S430, S500, S55 AMG, S55k AMG, CL500 , CL55 AMG, CL55k AMG, SLK55 AMG, SL500, SL55k AMG with M113 engine
S600, CL600 with M137 V-12 engine
E320 CDi Diesel with M648 engine

It seems to be a standard part which just measures from the bottom of the sump (It's graduated in mm going up) an looks the same as the MB part (from the pictures I've managed to get).

Anyone heard of these copies and are they any good?

Malc

 

[BlackC55]

Yes I have.

The copies are fine but why do you want one? Do you have the mm measurements? (I can get them if you want) The difference between the max and min in that dipstick is HUGE. I have never needed to use one and reliably use the cluster to check oil levels.

 

[Racerboy2003]

Thanks BlackC55

The reason I want one is that I intend changing the oil myself between the A&B services as the car will only do about 3000 a year and I would prefer to run the oil level towards the max level, rather than the min. Also it will give me a better idea on oil consumption.

As far as I can see the level should be between 137-168mm and I agree 1.25" is a huge difference.

Lastly, and I think it's a refection of my age, I don't trust this electronic stuff on its own - It took me about 3 years to trust a Sat Nav!!!

Malc

 

[BlackC55]

If you runt it too near the max level you will get HIGH oil warnings flashing up. Halfway up the dipstick is ideal on cars that run 8L+ of Mobil One. Mob 1 seems to expand more than other oils. 8+L of oil is alot to expand.

Don't forget you have two engine sump bungs on your car.

 

[jefrs]

Electronic stuff new-fangled?

- first car I had with an electronic oil level meter, was a 1955 Rover "75".

 

[Racerboy2003]

Ah, but when you were brought up on points, carbs and regular decokes, you knew where you were and you could "see" if something was broken. Last year my S type jag told be the ABS, Traction, DSC and Park Brake were faulty and went into limp mode, all because the battery was "iffy". It's a bit like when a woman says there is nothing wrong (no offense ladies) and I have to guess what it is!!!

Malc

 

[Druk]

It's a bit like when a woman says there is nothing wrong (no offense ladies) and I have to guess what it is!!!

Malc

That problem well pre-dates points and carbs though.

 

[st4]

That problem well pre-dates points and carbs though.

I always thought it was a "characteristic"

 

[rg58]

Yes I have.

The copies are fine but why do you want one? Do you have the mm measurements? (I can get them if you want) The difference between the max and min in that dipstick is HUGE. I have never needed to use one and reliably use the cluster to check oil levels.

Hi,
I've just purchased a 2007 CL203 220CDI with the OM646 engine. Do you have the min and max oil readings for this car please?

 

[grober]

With a copy dipstick I recommend you use your own calibration. If you are happy with the current oil level- [hot or cold? - you just need to be consistent as to when you measure it?] . Mark that oil level on the stick-- that's your primary reference -- drain off a litre or two depending on your engine sump capacity -- does the engine level warning light illuminate on ignition switch on ? measure on the dip stick again that's your minimum. etc etc

The mistake many owners and quite a few garages make is to drain the oil- look up the engine oil capacity and promptly refill with that amount! That invariably will overfill the sump as it neglects the considerable volume of oil left in the engine oil ways.

 

[rg58]

Graeme,
I think that is what has happened. Coming back from buying the car last week, my wife had the level warning flash up for about half a mile on the motorway about 80 miles after starting. She can't remember if it said low or high. Since then, we've left it at home in the garage trying to get answers about a dipstick as I couldn't get a reading on the digital display. However, after taking it to a garage this morning (who were unable to help but did at least try), the display did show oil level ok so I assume it only reads it when up to temperature. The "hidden" menu however, still fails to show OL or oil level so perhaps my model doesn't have that facility. I also tried using a diy dipstick made from a welding rod but was not exactly successful in trying to see where the oil came up to.
I did initially ask my local main dealer in Peterborough to check the level but they refused unless I booked it in officially for the work in a weeks time! (won't be using them then!) Can only assume they're not interested in the "lower end of the market". Conversely, MB UK Customer Services have been absolutely first class in answering some other queries I've had about the car and I am waiting to see if they can give me a definitive figure for the dipstick reading. If not, I shall definitely take your advice. In the meantime, I am trying to source a suitable dipstick. Rather than one of these very expensive universal ones scaled in mm, I don't suppose anyone would know if any dipstick from the other versions of the OM646 engines that incorporate a permanent dipstick would be ok?
Thanks.

 

[grober]

NEVER TRIED THIS MYSELF?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1725039-post4.html

The proper MB should not be expensive
http://mercedes-benz-teile.info/vie...=62Z&model=646821&spmno=0&group=01&subgrp=045
part no A 646 010 14 72

http://www.original-genuine-spare-parts.com/a/mercedes-benz/A64601_/A6460101472-oelmessstab.htm

 

[rg58]

Thanks Graeme. That is exactly the process I tried but doesn't work on my car. I'll try the part numbers you gave me but there are none available on that site at present. Maybe ebay.

 

[219]

With a copy dipstick I recommend you use your own calibration. If you are happy with the current oil level- [hot or cold? - you just need to be consistent as to when you measure it?] . Mark that oil level on the stick-- that's your primary reference -- drain off a litre or two depending on your engine sump capacity -- does the engine level warning light illuminate on ignition switch on ? measure on the dip stick again that's your minimum. etc etc

The mistake many owners and quite a few garages make is to drain the oil- look up the engine oil capacity and promptly refill with that amount! That invariably will overfill the sump as it neglects the considerable volume of oil left in the engine oil ways.

That strikes me as odd since I have always drained my oil ( or more recently recovered it with my suction pump ) and replaced the filter before filling with the quantity indicated in the owners handbooks for oil change with filter , then found the level to be spot on the maximum mark on the dipstick . Been doing that for decades now , never with any issues .

 

[rg58]

Derek,
It might be odd if you change the oil yourself - not if you use a garage!
A few years ago, I used a reputable local independent to service our Jaguar prior to going on holiday to the South of France. The day of leaving for Folkstone, I went to check the oil and could not find the dipstick! A frantic trip back to the garage was met with the response "Couldn't be us mate as we don't remove the dipstick for oil changes - just drain it and put back in what the book says". Needless to say, I never trusted them to work on any of our cars again.
Luckily, the Jaguar is an X-Type that many people put down as a Mondeo/Transit in disguise. I was able to quickly get hold of a Transit dipstick, went down to the local Jaguar Dealer in Peterborough (who I never even use to service the car) who kindly checked that it was of the correct length for the Jag, discovered that it had been grossly overfilled, and (totally free of charge), removed the excess and sent me safely on our way to the Channel Tunnel that night.
Moral of that story, never trust garages with even simple jobs such as an oil and filter change without checking it yourself afterwards.

 

[219]

The above story is a good example of why I try to do everything myself and , so far , have only one specialist garage I woukd implicitly trust with any of my cars ; other places I use reluctantly and with a healthy distrust .