W203 Engine Oil Dipstick?
Discussion
Just recently ive had an issue with the oil measuring system on the wifes C class (W203 model) in that is has given me false readings - not enough oil, then a warning sign saying too much after adding what the dash display told me to add, then not enough 2 weeks later... Trying to avoid the cost of new oil level switch, a manual dipstick surely would be the answer to such a simple fix?!?!?!
However, looking at the engine today, there appears to be a steel tube that goes down the engine sump with a red blanking plug on the top. I am now wondering if there is a dipstick on the market to dip the oil manually - does anybody know of such a thing? I've done the Google and Ebay search but all that comes up is transmission dipsticks....
However, looking at the engine today, there appears to be a steel tube that goes down the engine sump with a red blanking plug on the top. I am now wondering if there is a dipstick on the market to dip the oil manually - does anybody know of such a thing? I've done the Google and Ebay search but all that comes up is transmission dipsticks....
Bizarre, my W203 was a C180k, 2006 model, definitely had a dipstick!
The steel tube with blanking cap sounds like it's designed to hold a dipstick, try threading a piece of wire down to see if you hit oil! If so, you could prob get a dipstick from a breakers or even MB parts dept for not too much £ surely?
I'm still shocked that MB make engines with no dipstick, what a stupid idea.
The steel tube with blanking cap sounds like it's designed to hold a dipstick, try threading a piece of wire down to see if you hit oil! If so, you could prob get a dipstick from a breakers or even MB parts dept for not too much £ surely?
I'm still shocked that MB make engines with no dipstick, what a stupid idea.
The tube with a blanking plug is for a MB workshop dipstick this gives exact oil measurements in mm, its a special tool and is used for a number of different engines so is too long to actually keep in the tube.
The instrument cluster measure should work sufficiently but i would suggest to everyone when it says add 1l of oil add 0.5 and re-check, allways and 0.5l less than it says to avoid overfilling.
The instrument cluster measure should work sufficiently but i would suggest to everyone when it says add 1l of oil add 0.5 and re-check, allways and 0.5l less than it says to avoid overfilling.
Its probably worth just popping into your nearest Mercedes dealer or specialist who should both have a master dipstick & get them to check your engine oil level for peace of mind. If the reading doesn't agree with what your cluster says then you've probably got a faulty oil level sensor. It's not uncommon for these to play up.
Back and thank you for tips.... At long last and after loads of searching, i finally managed to locate an MB workshop dipstick - hopefully now, i can measure the oil with assurances that the oil level is correct with added bonus of seeing what the oil actually looks like between services as on my other cars... Basic stuff but invaluable i'd say!?!?!
You did well getting the dipstick - apparently many dealers won't sell them to the public as they're considered to be workshop tools.
What model and year is it? There's a "trick" on my 2005 C270CDi to get the cluster display to show the level in litres (although obviously its accuracy depends on whatever is being used to make the measurement!).
Whatever you do, don't overfill it - they really don't like that and there's a couple of litres between min and max so it's not critical to keep it topped up.
What model and year is it? There's a "trick" on my 2005 C270CDi to get the cluster display to show the level in litres (although obviously its accuracy depends on whatever is being used to make the measurement!).
Whatever you do, don't overfill it - they really don't like that and there's a couple of litres between min and max so it's not critical to keep it topped up.
The dipsticks are out there if you're prepared to trawl the net... I got mine from the states for $45 (£30), which in mind is the most reliable and cheapest option to check a basic job compared to having the oil level switch replaced at £300... It'll do nicely while this car sits on my drive....
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