On the UK version (CDI) you actually get a warning ( in wording stating "oil level low") on the display & this is what I thought you were refering to ,Guenter, when you said on the main information display. Not an just an illuminated symbol which IMOH is not that good as an informatory message when as Bill states the B has the capability to display the problem in English Text.
You must have been extreemly lucky with your cars as I stopped mine almost immediately after the oil light and warning sound came on. I filled up with oil but the 'ends' (crank main bearings) had still gone.
On the UK version (CDI) you actually get a warning ( in wording stating "oil level low") on the display & this is what I thought you were refering to ,Guenter, when you said on the main information display. Not an just an illuminated symbol which IMOH is not that good as an informatory message when as Bill states the B has the capability to display the problem in English Text.
You must have been extreemly lucky with your cars as I stopped mine almost immediately after the oil light and warning sound came on. I filled up with oil but the 'ends' (crank main bearings) had still gone.
Our canadian B200 gas in that respect is not that different from the UK's diesel.... I also pointed out that words to the effect that oil is low came on the screen 'along' with the oil can.... I was too lazy to go and get the manual. nevertheless, here it is - see pag 321 in the Canadian 2006 manual:
1) when about 1 litre low the oil can symbol AND the words "Change Engine Oil Visit Workshop" are displayed.
2) if oil drops further the oil can symbol AND the words "Engine Oil Pressure, Stop, Engine Off" are displayed.
re actually running extremely low on oil, I can't understand your engine seizing 'that' quickly, maybe it was in bad shape already. After all, the surfaces are coated with oil and it will take a bit of time (a minute or so at least I would hazard) for it to burn off from overheating. I remember that great advert from Moly-lube where they run the engine for many, many (5 or more) minutes before it seizes. I ran my 2 cycle lawnmower last summer on pure gas by accident until it 'literally' seized - couldn't turn the engine. I let it cool off, poured out the gas, squirted in some oil into the cylinder, added the proper gas/oil mix and it's still running great. I did sell my 190E about a year later, compression was tested by the buyer and it was good. My 240D was bought about 3 years later by a guy running a taxi and he used it for another few years as a taxi before the car was totaled from a rear end collision. but, yes, maybe I was lucky... but I truly don't think so. Engines are tougher than you give them crdeit for.
Mike, I didn't say the B200 had an oil level sensor that displayed or could obtain 'continuous' oil level readouts. the sensor simply registers 'low' and 'extremely low' oil conditions. Heck my '89 300E has a low oil level sensor and a light in the dash illuminates
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cheers, guenter
started with: Ghia Type 1, TR4A, Beetle, Ghia Type 3, Westy, Mazda323, 240D, 190E.
I would not expect engine compression to suffer from an oil starvation event (at least until the pistons seize in the bores), but the bearing sufaces were all probably damaged to some extent. Maybe the engine went 300,000 km, but it might have gone 500,000 before
quote " 1) when about 1 litre low the oil can symbol AND the words "Change Engine Oil Visit Workshop" are displayed." unquote
Well thats certainly a misleading statement from M/B to require an egine oil change when in fact you just need to top up with a litre of oil. Sounds like a crafty way to get extra money out of you.
That is certainly not the message you get on the UK CDI display when the oil goes low.
Re my Audi the pistons did not actually sieze the low oil level just knocked the 'ends' out and it happened at speed on a motorway so it was a bit of distance before I was able to stop safely (but within a mile)
BTW that Audi (80 coupe) was one of the best motors I have owned for reliability along with a VW Passat that I owned previously which shared many engine & body parts. I would be very tempted to buy an Audi equivalent of the B class if they ever made one.
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