Disconcerting news on the OM 642 engine maintenance

[Birger]

Hi,

According to various, apparently reliable, German Internet reports, the ASSYST maintenance schedule for the OM 642 engine (the V6 diesel) is a meager 15,000 kilometres (or 9,323 miles) between oil changes, which have to be performed with a MB-approved oil.

Apparently, this is to make sure that the soot microparticle filters function correctly. To me, this is not very good news, as I currently do quite near to the double between these not really cheap visits to my friendly dealership.

Also, it's har to see the ecological sense in emitting a few less soot particles when the prixe to be paid is recycling twice as much engine oil.

But of course, it helps keep the MB shops busy [:0]

Birger

[Wolfgang]

According to various, apparently reliable, German Internet reports, the ASSYST maintenance schedule for the OM 642 engine (the V6 diesel) is a meager 15,000 kilometres (or 9,323 miles) between oil changes, which have to be performed with a MB-approved oil.

Birger, from the diesel world records posted by Bard/ANSAN one can also conclude that this change interval was used. In 100,000 miles at 140 mph the oil was changed 10 times. There are now 14 of the new 229.31 oils available, which may make it easier to find one at a good price. A few months ago there were only one or two.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1208946&posts=5&fid=18

[GregW / Oregon]

Birger - 5/11/2005 4:21 PM

Hi,

According to various, apparently reliable, German Internet reports, the ASSYST maintenance schedule for the OM 642 engine (the V6 diesel) is a meager 15,000 kilometres (or 9,323 miles) between oil changes, which have to be performed with a MB-approved oil.

Apparently, this is to make sure that the soot microparticle filters function correctly. To me, this is not very good news, as I currently do quite near to the double between these not really cheap visits to my friendly dealership.

Also, it's har to see the ecological sense in emitting a few less soot particles when the prixe to be paid is recycling twice as much engine oil.

But of course, it helps keep the MB shops busy [:0]

Birger

Don't you have the option of doing your own minor maintenance? I've always done an intermediate oil change myself between the scheduled ones. In the US, as long as you keep good records, you are not obligated to go to the dealer to keep the warranty intact. Of course, you will get better service there if you do.

[jean7of9]

I heard last winter about the shorter milage recommendation between oil changes for V6 engines. The reason given to me by a senior MB Technician was frequent oil leaks and build up of sludge on some V6 engines, mainly C-Class and SLK-Class which happen to use the same engine. They even recommended to shorten to service visit to 10k Km (6.25k Miles).

[Larmire]

Thanks for the heads up! I was told be my dealer that an oil & filter change would cost upwards of $500. I said "What?". Then I looked into changing the oil and filter myself as I do for my other vehicles. I went to the NAPA store and picked up 10 Qts of SAE5W-30 and a filter for $70.00 and change. I logs all my maintenance and receipts. Why pay someone to do what you can do for yourself?

Larmire

[Mike's ML]

Larmire, this post is 6 years old.

Mike

[Larmire]

Hey Mike, you caught that too? You must have been good in math in school. But then 50 years from now when some poor soul is reading this stuff, 7 years will not seem long at all. And since when did good advice have a time limit?

Have a great day!

Larmire

[lkchris]

Ain't "good advice" using 5W-30 oil in the V6 diesel unless you've found a rare one that meets Mercedes 229.51. Anything with that not PRINTED ON THE BOTTLE is very bad.

[Mike's ML]

Originally Posted by Larmire

Hey Mike, you caught that too? You must have been good in math in school. But then 50 years from now when some poor soul is reading this stuff, 7 years will not seem long at all. And since when did good advice have a time limit?

Have a great day!

Larmire

No comment!

Mike

[millerm77]

Why do you say that? This chart shows that oil meets MB's specs. Mercedes-Benz Approved Oil Specifications