Last night, I changed the oil in my '85 500SL for the first time since I bought it. I have a few concerns.
First, this was the first time I have changed oil with a canister style oil filter. After all was done, and the car was running, I realised I had forgotten to fill the canister up with oil prior to putting it back on the car. I lubed up the new rubber gasket, and put it on with 18 ft/lb of torque, but that's it. Is this something I should be worried about. Does the canister need to be filled with fresh oil prior to going back on the car? After a good drive, I saw no leaks.
Second. The filter came with 2 washers. The copper one for the drain plug, and another steel one that I could not figure out where to put. I thought it was for the long bolt going into the canister, but I couldn't get the bolt and spring off the canister. I also didn't see an old steel washer on/around the canister. Any ideas? Once again, I saw no leaks.
Lastly, the manual said that the car requires 8 liters. My calculations put this at ~8.45 quarts. The thing took 9 whole quarts and the dipstick showed it about half a centimeter below the max mark after a good 15 minute drive.
The experience overall was pretty good, but it is always interesting to change oil for the first time on a car you have never had experience with.
Also, after the oil has warmed up, the pressure hovers at 2 when idle and immediatly kicks to 3 when gas is given. That appears to be fine, but prior to the oil change, the needle would hover around 1.5 when idle. Any ideas?
Mercedes filters usually come with different washers and/or gaskets for different models. I usually use the same type washer that I took off. The spring should slide off of the bolt fairly easily, and suspect your extra washer is for the bolt. As long as it isn't leaking, I wouldn't worry about it.
Filling the canister with oil is probably a wise thing to reduce the time the engine goes without oil, but again, I wouldn't worry that you didn't. As long as the oil pressure comes up within a few seconds, no harm done. There is still enough oil on the engine parts to run that long without oil pressure.
Does the 8 liters include the oil filter capacity? Some manuals give you with and without the filter being changed. Fill 'er up the full mark on the dipstick and you're set.
Your pressure readings of 2 and 3 sound right. Don't know why it increased unless you used a heavier weight oil. Was the filter plugged bad?
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