Oil Change Problem

[JerseyCLK55]

My warranty ran out and I decided to get my oil changed at a shop that I used to take my BMW to. Everything worked out great, they used Mobil 1 0W-30, topped off the fluids and reset my service light. However, about 15 minutes on my way back home, the OBC indicated that I need to reduce the amount of oil in the car. Since then, I have only taken the car out about 4 times mostly on short trips. I checked the oil level today and it still indicated "reduce oil level". Not having a dipstick SUCKS. My questions are: 1. How do I do reduce the oil level? My guess is the topsider oil drain pump? 2. How do I know how much oil to add (since the actual amount to fill will vary depending on how much actually drains out)? 3. If I continue to take the car to this shop, how do I ensure that this does not happen again? I was thinking of just getting a topsider oil drain pump and doing the oil changes myself.

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[Stiggs]

This happened to me once at the dealership when I got my oil changed. I had to drive back there and they took some out. Not sure how they did it. They couldn't figure out why it did it because they said they put the correct amount of oil in. Hmmmmm
Who knows. It hasn't happened since on my other oil changes.

[JerseyCLK55]

Thanks for the anecdote, Stiggs, I hope it won't cause any serious damage to the motor. I guess I have to get the pump to drain some of this oil out.

Does anyone know typically how many quarts of oil are added to the W209 CLK55 during an oil change?

[FastDonzi]

I would take it back to the shop that did the oil change so they can take care of it.If something major happens to your motor they are responsable.What shop did the work?

[DBLNICKL]

Originally Posted by JerseyCLK55

Thanks for the anecdote, Stiggs, I hope it won't cause any serious damage to the motor. I guess I have to get the pump to drain some of this oil out.

Does anyone know typically how many quarts of oil are added to the W209 CLK55 during an oil change?

yeah, it's supposed to take 8.5 quarts...8.5 so the stealership has to sell u that extra quart to make it 9...*******s...

[glomar83]

i just had this problem recently. the c55 and clk 55 engine are the same, right? whoever changed your oil probably only pulled out the rear drain bolt (assuming you did the old school method). there are two drain bolts on the oil pan. if you only pull one bolt, there will be about 2 quarts of oil sitting in the front part of the pan. The engine takes about 9 quarts of oil so.
9 quarts (start)
-7 quarts (if only one drain bolt was pulled)
+9 quarts (refill with new mobil 1)
=11 quarts

this happened to me. i went back to the shop and explained the situation. we basically just guesstimated draining 1.5 quarts, put the bolt back in, drop the car, check the oil gauge. pull more out, check the gauge until it says oil level ok.

there are pics of the drain bolts here (check post #18):
http://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=179080

[JerseyCLK55]

I've been using these guys nearby where I used to live for years. I went to them for basic service like oil changes, wheel swaps and alignments- RW Tire down in Hamilton, NJ. Too bad they're an hour away from where I live now.

[JerseyCLK55]

Hey thanks glomar, that is a great explanation. That drainplug situation definitely sounds like a possible scenario!

Hopefully my buddy with the topsider oil pump will be around this weekend and I can take out a couple of quarts.

BTW, how do you check the engine oil level during the oil change? I thought the engine has to run for a while and then you check it with the ignition in the on position? Is there another way to check it?

[55 ON IT]

Topsider is the way to go. MB uses that method as well.

[glomar83]

Originally Posted by JerseyCLK55

Hey thanks glomar, that is a great explanation. That drainplug situation definitely sounds like a possible scenario!

Hopefully my buddy with the topsider oil pump will be around this weekend and I can take out a couple of quarts.

BTW, how do you check the engine oil level during the oil change? I thought the engine has to run for a while and then you check it with the ignition in the on position? Is there another way to check it?

I don't think you need to run the engine to get a good reading. the car probably just measures the oil that is in the oil pan. I would assume that you would get the most accurate (if you can call our gauges accurate at all) reading if you checked it before a cold start, before the oil is sucked out of the pan and moved around the engine.
That is just my logic. I could be wrong. I would but a dipstick if they weren't so damn expensive.

[JerseyCLK55]

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the great responses. BTW, you can actually get a dipstick for this motor? Do you know where I can get it from? That would be a huge help.

[wingless]

Originally Posted by JerseyCLK55

they used Mobil 1 0W-30

Why was Mobil 1 0W-30 used? Doesn't the vehicle requires oils that meet the MB 229.5 specification, like Mobil 1 0W-40?

[wingless]

This post shows the dipstick tool.

[wingless]

One of the other requirements for the oil change is the MB fleece oil filter.

[Eurosport]

Originally Posted by wingless

One of the other requirements for the oil change is the MB fleece oil filter.

only if you go extended miles if you change your oil every 3k plain paper works just as good

[JerseyCLK55]

Thank you all for the help! What is an MB Fleece Filter? I can't believe a dipstick is the pricey. LOL.

[JLee81]

Originally Posted by JerseyCLK55

My warranty ran out and I decided to get my oil changed at a shop that I used to take my BMW to. Everything worked out great, they used Mobil 1 0W-30, topped off the fluids and reset my service light.

However, about 15 minutes on my way back home, the OBC indicated that I need to reduce the amount of oil in the car. Since then, I have only taken the car out about 4 times mostly on short trips. I checked the oil level today and it still indicated "reduce oil level". Not having a dipstick SUCKS.

My questions are:

1. How do I do reduce the oil level? My guess is the topsider oil drain pump?
2. How do I know how much oil to add (since the actual amount to fill will vary depending on how much actually drains out)?
3. If I continue to take the car to this shop, how do I ensure that this does not happen again?

I was thinking of just getting a topsider oil drain pump and doing the oil changes myself.

OMG I am thinking that your transmission is shot. You didn't purchase the extended warranty? Shoot.... Use only Mobil 0-30W or you will have to change the oil sensor soon. I had this happen as well. Went to dealer and they solved the problem for me.

[JerseyCLK55]

Aw man. But thank you for the advice JLee. OK, I guess there's a lot to do... This sucks, I don't have the warranty anymore since the car now has 54,000 miles on it. This is NFG. HELP! Does anyone know of a good independent shop out here in Northern Jersey? Otherwise, I'm gonna have to take it to the dealer! Aaargh!

[Jons95c36amg]

I was looking into a 05 C55 AMG before the C36. Under the hood I asked the salesman where is the dipstick? He didn't know either. I was like WTF! Well my C36 has a oil,tranny dipstick. Thank God.