Sudden oil consumption !!!
Discussion
Got a 2004 SL55 AMG with 47k miles and had it exactly a year.
lt has never used a drop of oil in that time, but driving to work today a warning suddenly flashed up saying "Oil level low, visit workshop".
The handbook said it would be either low oil or a sensor malfunction. When l followed the instructions it said "oil level low, add 2.0 litres" which l've now done and everything is reading fine.
However, why should it suddenly need 2 litres of oil? Also, it could have said add 0.5 litre or 1 litre or 1.5 litres so why if it has started to use a bit of oil would it be 2.0 litres unless it was sudden consumption?
Then l had a horrible thought that it might be a sensor and not actually used any oil but because it hasn't got a dipstick l couldn't check and now l may have overfilled it?
Any thoughts?
lt has never used a drop of oil in that time, but driving to work today a warning suddenly flashed up saying "Oil level low, visit workshop".
The handbook said it would be either low oil or a sensor malfunction. When l followed the instructions it said "oil level low, add 2.0 litres" which l've now done and everything is reading fine.
However, why should it suddenly need 2 litres of oil? Also, it could have said add 0.5 litre or 1 litre or 1.5 litres so why if it has started to use a bit of oil would it be 2.0 litres unless it was sudden consumption?
Then l had a horrible thought that it might be a sensor and not actually used any oil but because it hasn't got a dipstick l couldn't check and now l may have overfilled it?
Any thoughts?
The warning light on my m113-equipped car does not come on until the oil level is very low (i.e. add 2 litres low). So unless you are in the habit of checking the oil level (electronically if you have not got a dipstick), you will not have noticed the falling level.
If you are concerned about the sensor, why not add 3/4 of a litre to a litre and see whether the electronic oil level changes at all (i.e. goes to 'OK' or 'add 1 litre'). Obviously you'll have to leave it 5 minutes to settle in the sump before checking.
My car just started using oil overnight: its oil consumption went from none at all to 1 litre every 5,000miles without any transition. However, mine was at an higher mileage than yours.
All you can do is keep an eye on it. It is difficult to identify any leaks because of the shroud under the engine.
If you are concerned about the sensor, why not add 3/4 of a litre to a litre and see whether the electronic oil level changes at all (i.e. goes to 'OK' or 'add 1 litre'). Obviously you'll have to leave it 5 minutes to settle in the sump before checking.
My car just started using oil overnight: its oil consumption went from none at all to 1 litre every 5,000miles without any transition. However, mine was at an higher mileage than yours.
All you can do is keep an eye on it. It is difficult to identify any leaks because of the shroud under the engine.
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