Slightly low on oil

[sunseeker56]

Hi,
Our 2017 Sunseeker MBS only has 3,000 miles and isn't a year old. It is slightly low on oil. Is this common? Also, should we have oil change since it has been sitting over winter, and what type of oil should we use for 2017 MBS?
Thanks in advance!

[cavie]

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Hi,
Our 2017 Sunseeker MBS only has 3,000 miles and isn't a year old. It is slightly low on oil. Is this common? Also, should we have oil change since it has been sitting over winter, and what type of oil should we use for 2017 MBS?
Thanks in advance!

that information is in your owners manual. But no you don't have to drain because it was sitting during the winter.

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by cavie

that information is in your owners manual. But no you don't have to drain because it was sitting during the winter.

Thanks!

[DaveJordan]

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Hi,
Our 2017 Sunseeker MBS only has 3,000 miles and isn't a year old. It is slightly low on oil. Is this common? Also, should we have oil change since it has been sitting over winter, and what type of oil should we use for 2017 MBS?

I think it's a bit uncommon that you're low on oil...how low is it?

On the oil change interval... The Sprinter dash display will let you know when it thinks you need to change the oil. It keeps track of both time and distance - many of us run out of time before we put in the distance.

They've changed the interval a couple of times. It's at least 1 year or 10,000 miles and I think it might be as much as 2 years or 20,000 miles on your unit. It might be less.

Dave

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by DaveJordan

I think it's a bit uncommon that you're low on oil...how low is it?

On the oil change interval... The Sprinter dash display will let you know when it thinks you need to change the oil. It keeps track of both time and distance - many of us run out of time before we put in the distance.

They've changed the interval a couple of times. It's at least 1 year or 10,000 miles and I think it might be as much as 2 years or 20,000 miles on your unit. It might be less.

Dave

Thanks! It is just slightly low. I guess we will fill it to full and see if it goes down again. Wonder if there is a way to test to see if there is a problem.
Thanks

[JLeising]

Be careful! Don't just add any oil -
Mercedes requires use of their spec oil - check you owner's manual, but I suspect you need to use Mercedes Spec 229.52 compliant oil.
Our MB Sprinter warns on both low and high oil level. One time immediately after an oil change, driving in desert hot conditions, I got a dash warning. Too high an oil level! Just over the mark. I suspect the service facility filled to the full line - and the oil slightly expanded when hot - triggering the dash warning light.
I find the vehicle uses about a quart every 8000 to 10000 miles. Occasionally have to add some (typically a pint) between 10,000 mile oil changes (per owner's manual and vehicle computer for our 2012 Sprinter). When I do add oil, I target the middle of the marks on the stick - to avoid the "over full " warning.
The vehicle also does a periodic exhaust particulate filter clean cycle. As I understand it, the vehicle adds diesel fuel during this cycle to heat the particulate filter to very high temperatures to burn off any deposits- sort of like a self-cleaning oven. Some of the excess diesel apparently can get into the oil - where it should evaporate out at normal engine operating temperatures. (Supposedly biodiesel doesn't evaporate out as well, hence the B5 max restriction by Mercedes). Leaving room for the temporary dilution by diesel is another reason not to fill the oil to the max line, in my opinion.
I use the dash display (can check easily while starting the engine - see you owner's manual) and don't add oil until it tells me it is low. I carry a quart or two of the proper Mercedes spec oil with me, as it can be hard to find on the road.

FYI - my experience and thoughts -
Jim

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Thanks! It is just slightly low. I guess we will fill it to full and see if it goes down again. Wonder if there is a way to test to see if there is a problem.
Thanks

I think they were trying to get some actual reference to how low it was, so far all you've said is that it's "low." Where is the oil on the dipstick that makes you say it's low? Just saying it's low doesn't help us understand what the reading actually is.

[ard58]

Some of the excess diesel apparently can get into the oil - where it should evaporate out at normal engine operating temperatures. (Supposedly biodiesel doesn't evaporate out as well, hence the B5 max restriction by Mercedes). Leaving room for the temporary dilution by diesel is another FYI - my experience and thoughts -
Jim[/QUOTE]

Work as a diesel tech so the aftertreatment system does inject diesel to burn off the soot, but this is down stream of the engine and does not enter the crankcase. If, however, your oil level rises then have it checked for fuel dilution.
3000 miles is not many miles, still breaking in, but being in the engine for a year, must have short trips, I would have it changed.

[mlmay12]

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Hi,
Our 2017 Sunseeker MBS only has 3,000 miles and isn't a year old. It is slightly low on oil. Is this common? Also, should we have oil change since it has been sitting over winter, and what type of oil should we use for 2017 MBS?
Thanks in advance!

I have decided to change my oil every year at about 12K miles. I will let the dealer do it for the first couple changes as I have my Diesel Fuel Filter changed at one year intervals as per Maintenance Manual. My 2016 is supposed to go to 20K but I don't like to go that long. The MB Dealer puts in Mobil One ESP 0W-30 and that does meet the specs. I have never had to add oil yet but carry a quart just in case. After this year I will do all Maintenance myself.

[Rich.M]

Originally Posted by ard58

Some of the excess diesel apparently can get into the oil - where it should evaporate out at normal engine operating temperatures. (Supposedly biodiesel doesn't evaporate out as well, hence the B5 max restriction by Mercedes). Leaving room for the temporary dilution by diesel is another FYI - my experience and thoughts -
Jim

Work as a diesel tech so the aftertreatment system does inject diesel to burn off the soot, but this is down stream of the engine and does not enter the crankcase. If, however, your oil level rises then have it checked for fuel dilution.
3000 miles is not many miles, still breaking in, but being in the engine for a year, must have short trips, I would have it changed.[/QUOTE]

Sprinters do not have downstream injection, they use a late stroke injection during regeneration and can retain diesel in the crankcase, especially less volatile biodiesel.

To the op, I would be sure to use the check oil system on the dash using the procedure in the manual rather than the dipstick. These sprinters will tell you if you need oil, how much and probably allow for retained diesel after regeneration. Plus once you know the button sequence you will be able to check from in the vehicle. That said, my sprinter runs about a quart low after 10000 miles if I avoid biodiesel.

[sunseeker56]

Thanks! Yes we were checking it on dipstick. I will figure out how to use check oil system. Thanks again!

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by JLeising

Be careful! Don't just add any oil -

Mercedes requires use of their spec oil - check you owner's manual, but I suspect you need to use Mercedes Spec 229.52 compliant oil.

Our MB Sprinter warns on both low and high oil level. One time immediately after an oil change, driving in desert hot conditions, I got a dash warning. Too high an oil level! Just over the mark. I suspect the service facility filled to the full line - and the oil slightly expanded when hot - triggering the dash warning light.

I find the vehicle uses about a quart every 8000 to 10000 miles. Occasionally have to add some (typically a pint) between 10,000 mile oil changes (per owner's manual and vehicle computer for our 2012 Sprinter). When I do add oil, I target the middle of the marks on the stick - to avoid the "over full " warning.

The vehicle also does a periodic exhaust particulate filter clean cycle. As I understand it, the vehicle adds diesel fuel during this cycle to heat the particulate filter to very high temperatures to burn off any deposits- sort of like a self-cleaning oven. Some of the excess diesel apparently can get into the oil - where it should evaporate out at normal engine operating temperatures. (Supposedly biodiesel doesn't evaporate out as well, hence the B5 max restriction by Mercedes). Leaving room for the temporary dilution by diesel is another reason not to fill the oil to the max line, in my opinion.

I use the dash display (can check easily while starting the engine - see you owner's manual) and don't add oil until it tells me it is low. I carry a quart or two of the proper Mercedes spec oil with me, as it can be hard to find on the road.



FYI - my experience and thoughts -

Jim

Thanks! Good information. Going to pick up oil at Mercedes dealer tomorrow and extra for the road. We did not get any low oil warning, so maybe it is ok. Thanks again!

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by mlmay12

I have decided to change my oil every year at about 12K miles. I will let the dealer do it for the first couple changes as I have my Diesel Fuel Filter changed at one year intervals as per Maintenance Manual. My 2016 is supposed to go to 20K but I don't like to go that long. The MB Dealer puts in Mobil One ESP 0W-30 and that does meet the specs. I have never had to add oil yet but carry a quart just in case. After this year I will do all Maintenance myself.

Thanks for the info. A year interval sounds like a good plan. Yes, probably a good plan to let them do maintenance until warranty is out!

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Thanks! It is just slightly low. I guess we will fill it to full and see if it goes down again. Wonder if there is a way to test to see if there is a problem.
Thanks

After reading replies, probably need to check the dash readings before we do anything. Thanks for all the responses! Love this site and all the great help!

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by DieselDrax

I think they were trying to get some actual reference to how low it was, so far all you've said is that it's "low." Where is the oil on the dipstick that makes you say it's low? Just saying it's low doesn't help us understand what the reading actually is.

Oil level is closer to full mark, in the acceptable marked area. Thanks!

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Oil level is closer to full mark, in the acceptable marked area. Thanks!

As long as it is within the crosshatched section it is fine and is not low. There is no need to top it off until it is below the safe/crosshatched section which represents one quart.

[mlmay12]

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Thanks! Yes we were checking it on dipstick. I will figure out how to use check oil system. Thanks again!

Procedure is in Manual, be sure vehicle is very level when checking.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by JLeising

Be careful! Don't just add any oil -
Mercedes requires use of their spec oil - check you owner's manual, but I suspect you need to use Mercedes Spec 229.52 compliant oil.
Our MB Sprinter warns on both low and high oil level. One time immediately after an oil change, driving in desert hot conditions, I got a dash warning. Too high an oil level! Just over the mark. I suspect the service facility filled to the full line - and the oil slightly expanded when hot - triggering the dash warning light.
I find the vehicle uses about a quart every 8000 to 10000 miles. Occasionally have to add some (typically a pint) between 10,000 mile oil changes (per owner's manual and vehicle computer for our 2012 Sprinter). When I do add oil, I target the middle of the marks on the stick - to avoid the "over full " warning.
The vehicle also does a periodic exhaust particulate filter clean cycle. As I understand it, the vehicle adds diesel fuel during this cycle to heat the particulate filter to very high temperatures to burn off any deposits- sort of like a self-cleaning oven. Some of the excess diesel apparently can get into the oil - where it should evaporate out at normal engine operating temperatures. (Supposedly biodiesel doesn't evaporate out as well, hence the B5 max restriction by Mercedes). Leaving room for the temporary dilution by diesel is another reason not to fill the oil to the max line, in my opinion.
I use the dash display (can check easily while starting the engine - see you owner's manual) and don't add oil until it tells me it is low. I carry a quart or two of the proper Mercedes spec oil with me, as it can be hard to find on the road.

FYI - my experience and thoughts -
Jim

Jim,
The diesel that leaks past the piston rings during an active regeneration unfortunately does not evaporate. Fuel dilution is is a common problem with vehicles that regenerate by injecting fuel into the exhaust during the exhaust stroke. Interesting fact with direct injection gasoline engines is that they also have problems with gasoline dilution of the oil. I have a DI gasoline engine 2.0T Hyundai that has about 3% fuel dilution at a 5k oil change interval.

The biodiesel limitation is two fold. It can cause engine oil to polymerize if kept at extended oil change intervals and it does not burn as hot during a regeneration which can increase soot loading of the DPF.

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by DieselDrax

As long as it is within the crosshatched section it is fine and is not low. There is no need to top it off until it is below the safe/crosshatched section which represents one quart.

Thanks, this is all new to us. We were thinking it was low because it always was at the full mark when we checked in the past. Thanks!

[sunseeker56]

Thanks, it was! Good reminders!