Blue Benz

I heard that 203 C-classes have no dipstick, that you just check the oil level with the computer in the dash. But there is no dipstick?

awiner

There actually is a Dip Stick tube. It has a plastic cap on it and there is no dipstick inserted from the factory. Mercedes wants C Class owners to check the oil level from their onbard computer. I know that there is a "Shop Dipstick" that the service Dept. uses however. You may be able to purchase one.

MB-BOB

awiner, I think I heard that the no dipstick thing applies to all new MBs with the FSS system, not just the Cs, right?

Sounds weird, I agree, Blue Benz, but the computerized system works just as well as a manual dipstick. I also hear the dipstick tube is there to provide entry for the syphon system that drains the oil. Otherwise, maybe there's no reason for the tube, either.

MarkL

Except, you can't tell when the oil is less than a full quart low. I'd like the computer to tell me that it's 1/2 quart low, so I can add oil at that point.

Fred

For some reason my C230K Coupe was delivered with the "shop dipstick" in place of the plug. I use it all the time to check the oil level. I have not had to add any oil in about 6500 miles of use. I also sometimes check the onboard computer and it always registers ok-which it should if no oil is needed. However, I agree that it is better to have a real dipstick to check oil level drops of less than a quart. If your dealer will sell you the dipstick it is definitely a good backup to the onboard computer.

My M-class with FSS also has a dipstick.

Lynn

My current Coupe has a dipstick as did the previous one.

awiner

Bob, not quite. My 01 CL55 has a covnetional dip stick as well as the onboard oil monitoring/level checking system.

Strange... Seems Mercedes couldn't figure out what they really wanted to do with dip sticks. I would imagine that all new Mercedes models will eventually loose the dip stick. The CL600 V12 does not have a dipstick however....

mbtech208

I don't know what you guys are saying about your 203s having oil dipsticks, but I can assure you they are not the shop dipsticks. Every 203 I have seen has had the cap on the dipstick tube. The shop dipstick is long, and to measure the oil level with it, it has to be inserted until it bottoms out in the oil pan. Even fully inserted, the remainder of the dipstick sticks out of the tube by a good 6 inches. And it doesn't read like a traditional dipstick either. The shop dipstick is marked in millimeters. The proper range on a C-class is from 148-168 millimeters on the dipstick.

MB-BOB

Since many of you really do have dipsticks, I just ran out to my C320, hoping to miraculously find one. But, no dipstick, just a stub.

I know, I know... story of my life!

mbtech208

Bob, you're hilarious! Say, don't you have a daughter about my age? I'm 20. She available?

young

mb-bob, read mbtech's sig line!!! on the other hand, you're not losing a daughter, you're gaining free maintenance for the car!!!

mbtech208

My signature line is a quote from another member. It's not from my mouth or mind, I just found it highly amusing

MB-BOB

mbtech208...

I have two daughters, one 17 and the other 22. But it looks to me that you already have "a drunk-stoned-naked-teenager to rub you up and down..." (Couldn't pass that one up!)

BTW, I really enjoy your technical posts! I've been singing your praises all day.

MB-BOB

Damn, you guys type fast!

Blue Benz

I wish that there would be a dipstick along with the onboard oil monitoring/level checking system.
in the 203. I asked because I was wondering, what if someone with a 203 wants to change their own oil using a top side oil changer? Well it's nice to know that at least there is a dipstick tube so people can use the top side oil changer.

mbtech208

Be careful!!! This has happened to about 3 of the techs at our dealer (including me, I'll admit). I hooked up the oil sucker to a black '01 C240, sucked all the oil out, put 8 quarts in, and sent the car out on its way. The car came back 10 minutes later spewing blue smoke like nothing I've seen this side of a '76 Chevy Vega. What happened was the little O-ring on the end of the dipstick cap came off when I pulled the cap off, and lodged into the tube. The oil sucker wasn't able to suck a single drop of oil because of this blockage. I put the 8 quarts in, which meant there was now 16 quarts of Mobil 1 sitting in the crankcase. The drive from my stall to the service drive wasn't long enough to get the excess oil sucked into the PCV valve. But as soon as the customer took her car and started driving it, instant smoke-screen. She brought the car back, and I tried to insert the shop dipstick. It wouldn't fit because of the o-ring stuck in there. Imagine my embarassment. I drained the oil, and put another 8 quarts of clean oil in. Then I took the car around the block to blow all the excess oil out of the engine. I've never seen this much blue smoke come out of a car, I couldn't see the street behind me when I throttled it. Everything was fine in the end, but that was the first time I did an oil change on a 203 without checking the oil level, and obviously it will be the last time. You just take it for granted after doing so many oil changes a week that 8 quarts is perfect, I don't need to bother with the shop dipstick. And the first time I tried it, it bit me. A humbling experience, but others can learn from my mistake.

Blue Benz

But how come you couldn't tell it wasn't sucking up oil, isn't the plastic part that sucks up the oil clear and visible, wouldn't you know if oil was be sucked up or not?
Also, is there a special way to remove the dipstick cap so th O-ring doesn't fall in there?

Lynn

Mbtech, sticking out of my dipstick tube is a black plastic loop. When I pull this loop, I find it has a flange which rests on the top of the tube. From the flange it is about 1.5" to the beginning of a stiff steel cable. In this piece, there is a rubber o-ring held in place by two shoulders molded into the plastic. The cable is about 20.75" long. At the bottom end of the cable is a red plastic piece which is about 2.25" long. Near the top it is labeled "max". Near the bottom it is labeled "min". Between these labels the plastic is marked at 1mm intervals. The previous C-coupe I had for 75 days was also equipped this way. If this isn't a dipstick, I would sure like to know what it is and what it does.

mbtech208

Blue Benz, our oil suction devices are mounted to the wall, with the main reservoir a room in the back of the shop. When the oil is sucked out, it goes through a black non-transparent hose, up through pipes in the ceiling, to the main tank. There is no way to tell if it's sucking up oil or not. It was my mistake for not checking the oil level. The best way to remove the cap is to twist it and pull up at the same time, praying the o-ring stays on.
Lynn, indeed that does sound like a standard Mercedes-Benz oil dipstick. I have never seen this before on a 203, and I'd almost think your dealer is popping the caps off and installing regular dipsticks into these cars. Could you maybe take a picture of the dipstick in your car?

Lynn

Mbtech, I don't have a digital camera or a scanner, but I'll see what I can do.

young

do these help? the dipstick came from the lower right... you can see the loop - it sort of twists out.

btw, its 1AM and you have me looking at dipsticks... i think i have truly entered the realm of car geekdom

awiner

No time like the present (XMAS) to ask for a digital camera for Xmas....

Fred

What Lynn described is exactly how my dipstick (at least what I thought was a dipstick) looks. I been using it even since I got my C Coupe. Should we not be using it to check the oil level?

Lynn

young's pic is exactly what I have.

mbtech208

You know what? I'm sorry, I completely forgot that the C230 Kompressor has a 111-series 4-cylinder. Total brain-fart. You're obviously right, the C230 has a dipstick. The C240, C320, and C32 (all 112-series V6s) DON'T have dipsticks. The SLK has the same engine as your C230, and I know that car has a dipstick. Sorry about that, chalk one up for you guys.