DIY C230K sedan oil change W203

[Taiwanese]

I have learned so much from this forum and many of you replied to my question. Here is my contribution to the forum. This is not a big deal or hard to do. But I thought I share it with everyone. My 2003 C230 sedan was the last year of free maintenance from MB. This is the first time I have to pay someone or do it myself. After researching and reading this forum, I decided to do it myself. Parts needed: 6 quarts of Mobil 1 0W40 $6.19 + tax each from Autozone MB filter from dealer $17.50 + tax 27mm socket $6.99 + tax from Autozone Mityvac oil extractor from Amazon.com $50.99 no tax Tools I have 1/2" male to 3/8" female drive adapter 3/8" drive universal joint 4" extension 3/8" drive ratchet Mityvac P/N: 07400 It comes with 3 different size tubes. I use the medium one. Here is the dip stick hole to extract oil from. Here is the oil filter. 27mm only comes in 1/2" drive. I have a converter from 1/2" male to 3/8" female so I can use my 3/8" extension and 3/8" drive ratchet. The 27mm socket I have is too tall. In order to take out the oil filter housing, I had to loosen it first. Unscrew the housing by hand. I am going to cut the 27mm socket shorter so I can use it to loosen all the way. Dirty filter. Just pull out the old oil filter then insert the new one. Don't forget to replace 3 O-Rings. New oil filter in. Hand tighten first then use the 27mm socket to tighten a little more. Don't over tighten. The oil filter housing is made of plastic. This Mityvac is designed for 7.3 liter (about 7 quarts). My car is 5.8 quarts. At first I was not sure when it's done extracting all the oil. But later I heard slashing sound then I gave it a few more pumps to make sure I got all the oil out. I repeat this a few times. I pour 5.5 quarts of Mobil 1. Waited about 5 minutes then use my dash to check oil level. It shows level OK. I started the engine. Shut off. Waited 5 minutes. Make sure no leak. Check oil level again. OK, done. Pour dirty oil back to Mobil 1 jars then take them to Autozone for recycle. Total time: 45 minutes (30 minutes next time) Total cost: about $55 for oil and oil filter Mityvac and 27mm socket can be used in the future. Will I do it again? Sure, it's so easy. -------------- 2007.11.07 By the way, MB recommends every 1 year or 10,000 miles for service. I had 9,000 miles on it. The oil was dirty and black. I would change it every 5,000 miles in the future.

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[rlee02135]

great DIY, very helpful!

[amdeutsch]

Thank you for your time and effort to put this together. We will add it to the DIY sticky.

[drexappeal]

Brings a tear to my eye...at the same time, you're not exactly a noob cuz you've been signed up for longer than me even. Either way, to you for this DIY.

M271 FTW!

[splinter]

Excellent post, Taiwanese. I’ve always believed that tools invariably pay for themselves.

The satisfaction of having successfully completed the task is worth far more. Great job!

[nlpamg]

Originally Posted by amdeutsch

Thank you for your time and effort to put this together. We will add it to the DIY sticky.

Thanks Taiwanese! I really appreciate this!

[KIRA]

i hate you... made it sooo easy...

made me wanna spend my money and do it right now..

[c230K415]

I think I really overtightened my oil filter when I changed my oil this weekend. =(

[slammer111]

OMG you're a lifesaver. There were many threads out there but nobody had put together such a clear concise one for the M271 1.8L. Thank you SO much!

[Taiwanese]

Thank you.

Thank you.

I always do my own oil change when I was younger.

When I was doing my research, I had to gather information from different places. For example, easier if you use oil extractor, location of oil filter housing etc.

W203 covers so many years and different engines. I could not find one specific thread about this M271 1.8 liter supercharged engine. So the least I can do is to share it. Even if you don't do it, it's fun to see. I believe in a picture is worth a thousand words.

Side note:
At first I got this Shurflo drill pump Mfr # 3010-000 from Boatersworld.com

It arrived DOA. Via live chat, BoatersWorld told me no need to sent it back just toss it. I ordered C.E. Smith Oil Changer Mfr # Z70000. I only had to pay the difference and no shipping.

The tube on the C.E. Smith Oil Changer was too large to stick into C230's oil stick hole. I had to return it.
BoatersWorld has good service. I will use them in the future.

I later found this Mityvac from Amazon.com. It worked great.

[slammer111]

Can you please post the Part #s and how many of what you need?

[Taiwanese]

M271 1.8 liter supercharged engine
C230 sedan

oil filter MB# A 271 180 00 09
Mobil 1 oil: 0W40 6 quarts
Mityvac oil extractor

If you don't have any tools, then you need to buy the following:
27mm socket (or you can buy this tool from MB, I think it's $26)
1/2" drive universal joint
1/2" drive ratchet
1/2" extension 4" long

If you have some tools in 3/8" drive, then you just need:
27mm socket (only in 1/2" drive)
1/2" male to 3/8" female

use your own:
3/8" universal joint
3/8" ratchet
3/8" extension 4" long

[T.O_c240]

What happened to the little drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan?? Dont tell me there isnt one? And why is the oil filter on the top of the engine?? Christ i gotta check under the hood more often :S

[Taiwanese]

I think you can still drain the oil from under neath. But these is plastic cover you have to remove.

Dealer is doing the same way. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

By the way, MB recommends every 1 year or 10,000 miles for service. I had 9,000 miles on it. The oil was dirty and black. I would change it every 5,000 miles in the future.

[Moviela]

Nice pictures. Great job. I just carry the Mityvac into the store to dump the old oil. No need to make a mess in my garage transferring it back to bottles.

Oil that is dirty and black is not necessarily worn out. It is only when there is not enough of the "additive package" left in the crankcase that the oil should be changed. The only way to know is to send your used oil for analysis. It only costs about $20.

It will be easier to remove the oil if you first drive the car until it is fully warmed up, then suck the oil out.

A can of engine cleaner from Lubro-Moly can be used to clean your crankcase if you are concerned about sludge. This produt also makes it easier to get all the oil out as it makes it thin and runny.

http://www.performanceproducts4benz....ly+Motor+Clean

[Taiwanese]

I thought about bring in the Mityvac for used oil recycling. But I will have to put it on the floor, it's kind of skinny and tall. I don't want it to tip over when I turn. Pouring used oil back into Mobil 1 bottles is easy. I removed the suction adapter and it pours right out.



Now that I changed my own oil, how do I reset my dash message "Service B in 1800 miles"?

[wingless]

Jugs that had held anti-freeze are useful for used oil transportation.

[daddy-o]

Thanks for the tutorial. This was the cleanest easiest oil change ever, even with the 3 O rings!

BTW: I could only find a 1 1/16" socket at the parts place. It worked though. Here's the difference: 27mm=1.06299"; 1 1/16"=1.0625" Maybe it was snug, maybe it was just because it was plastic. Gotta have the extension though.

Your answer:
In my 2003 C-Class Sports Coupe Operator's Manual "USA Edition A 2003" I found the instructions in the index under Service: Service indicator (226) Clearing (226,227)

Resetting is actually what you want, pp227.

Here's the short version:
In the event...service not carried out by MB Center...
>Switch ignition on (don't crank it though, like checking your oil)
>Press the ^ or down on the steering wheel until FSS appears
>Press the reset knob for about 4 seconds
[displays a reset question](let go of the button)
>To confirm hold the reset button again for about 4 seconds
[displays new reset interval]

[Taiwanese]

Originally Posted by daddy-o

Your answer:
In my 2003 C-Class Sports Coupe Operator's Manual "USA Edition A 2003" I found the instructions in the index under Service: Service indicator (226) Clearing (226,227)

Resetting is actually what you want, pp227.

Here's the short version:
In the event...service not carried out by MB Center...
>Switch ignition on (don't crank it though, like checking your oil)
>Press the ^ or down on the steering wheel until FSS appears
>Press the reset knob for about 4 seconds
[displays a reset question](let go of the button)
>To confirm hold the reset button again for about 4 seconds
[displays new reset interval]

I tried that but it did not work.
Here is what I did:
Turn key to position 1 (first click after insert the key).
I change the dash to display "Service B in xxxx miles".
Push reset and hold it.
While holding it, the display goes back to total mileage of the car screen.

[aznmode]

Thanks Taiwanese for the great write up. I have a question regarding the pump. There's a pump with the external pump design I found online. Just wondering if this one is a more durable or better one compared to the one you bought. Below is the link.

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=8587

[aznmode]

I just answered my own question.

http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_fee.asp

07201 Fluid Evacuator Plus
At the push of a button, this versatile unit changes from vacuum to pressure for evacuating or dispensing fluids. This functionality makes it ideal for draining tanks or reservoirs then pumping the used fluid back out for easy disposal. Multiple units work great, simply evacuate used fluids with one unit, and then quickly refill with new fluid from a second. For superior mobility, the 07201 utilizes a manual pump, so compressed air or electricity is not required. Accessories are included for draining engine oil or transmission fluid directly through the dipstick tubes.

[Taiwanese]

Originally Posted by aznmode

Thanks Taiwanese for the great write up. I have a question regarding the pump. There's a pump with the external pump design I found online. Just wondering if this one is a more durable or better one compared to the one you bought. Below is the link.

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=8587

I think this is similar to the one I have except mine is pump and container as one unit.

It really does not matter what you use as soon as it can extract oil out of the engine.



Note:
The tube that comes with my oil extractor is a little short. As you can see from the picture, I had the oil extractor close to the fender and put it on a box.
The tube is 7mm OD. I will buy a 10 feet tube for next oil change so I don't need a box underneath it.

[Taiwanese]

Originally Posted by aznmode

I just answered my own question.

http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_fee.asp

07201 Fluid Evacuator Plus
At the push of a button, this versatile unit changes from vacuum to pressure for evacuating or dispensing fluids. This functionality makes it ideal for draining tanks or reservoirs then pumping the used fluid back out for easy disposal. Multiple units work great, simply evacuate used fluids with one unit, and then quickly refill with new fluid from a second. For superior mobility, the 07201 utilizes a manual pump, so compressed air or electricity is not required. Accessories are included for draining engine oil or transmission fluid directly through the dipstick tubes.

On the one I bought, there is a sprout on the top to drain back into to bottles nicely. No spill.

So you really don't need this feature unless you do several cars in a row.

Either one will be OK. Just buy from a place that you feel comfortable.

[aznmode]

Originally Posted by Taiwanese

On the one I bought, there is a sprout on the top to drain back into to bottles nicely. No spill.

So you really don't need this feature unless you do several cars in a row.

Either one will be OK. Just buy from a place that you feel comfortable.

You're probably right that I don't need this extra feature. I will get the one you have. Thanks again!!!

[mike82y]

Originally Posted by Taiwanese

I tried that but it did not work.
Here is what I did:
Turn key to position 1 (first click after insert the key).
I change the dash to display "Service B in xxxx miles".
Push reset and hold it.
While holding it, the display goes back to total mileage of the car screen.

did you try the following method?
turn your key to position 1
change the screen to show the current milage
press reset 3 times, (fast)
"beep"
turn your key to position 2
..............................................

oops sorry.. I just ran to the car and check again..
you can only reset the service with this method on w211.. not w203



mike