W211 e320cdi oil change

[TedMartin]

Hi all,
How difficult, or easy, is it to change the engine oil on this model? Is there a how to? I've searched and cannot find one.

Regards
Ted

 

[corned]

It's not necessarily difficult, but it could be in certain circumstances.

The obvious difficulty to start off with is the fact that there is no dipstick. Even the franchised dealers have trouble filling to the required point (search on here for references to overfill warning messages).

The other point is that I don't know for certain if they have a drain plug or not. I believe most dealers suck the oil out (where from I know not), but if you go the drain plug route you will need to remove the engine compartment undertrays. I think there is still a dipstick tube into the sump, so that's probably where it gets sucked out from.

The oil filter itself is under the engine cover at the front right under a black plastic 16-sided moulding which looks a bit like an inverted cannister-type oil filter. The cover will almost certainly be very awkward to remove, but there are removal tools (like a big spanner) available from a wide range of sources.

 

[TedMartin]

Thanks for your quick response. I'm also not sure whether there is a drain plug or not. Will have to remove the undertrays and have a look. I know all about the oil filter! I had to take it off to replace the thermostat and it was a job and a'half, to put it nicely! Anyway thanks for your interest and will post the results of my findings.

Regards.
Ted

 

[corned]

Good luck with it! Hope it goes well.

One thing I would suggest would be when refilling with fresh oil, leave at least a litre short of what the book says. Then run the engine up to temp and use the dashboard cluster oil level system to top up as necessary. It will tell you "add 1 litre" or "add 0.5 litre" if it deems it necessary.

Much easier to keep filling a little at a time, than to have to go and drain some out if the car decides there is too much in! And don't forget to get the oil warm first, as the levels are measured when the oil has 'expanded' a little.