[dcalien]

I have a little over 7000 miles on my 08 Sprinter. It has a 3 liter v6.

I have used two quarts of Mobil 1 synthetic so far. Is this normal?

The dealer said it should not use any, then again the dealer has not had correct info more than once so far.

Also the dealer told me when they do the first change on their Sprinters they always switch to conventional oil.

Is this a good idea? I know it is cheaper, though I want to treat this investment like I spent 45k for it.

Thanks in advance for any answers that may come my way.

[piper1]

It is not uncommon for a new engine to burn a bit of oil when new especially if it is not being worked hard.

I don't know what the factory recommends but I'd save the synthetic until you have at least 20,000 miles on it. Synthetics can slow down the break in process.

Also, what "Mobil 1" oil are you using?

If you have a new diesel the oil better have a CJ-4 rating on the label somewhere. Lots of oils say they are ok for a diesel and they are not. That could be the burn off reason.

Mobil diesel oils are Delvac 1, Mobil Turbo Diesel Truck, and Delvac 1300 (conventional).

[dcalien]

Originally Posted by piper1

It is not uncommon for a new engine to burn a bit of oil when new especially if it is not being worked hard.

I don't know what the factory recommends but I'd save the synthetic until you have at least 20,000 miles on it. Synthetics can slow down the break in process.

Also, what "Mobil 1" oil are you using?

If you have a new diesel the oil better have a CJ-4 rating on the label somewhere. Lots of oils say they are ok for a diesel and they are not. That could be the burn off reason.

Mobil diesel oils are Delvac 1, Mobil Turbo Diesel Truck, and Delvac 1300 (conventional).

Thanks for the info.

I know so little. I just bought it at Walmart, and thought Mobil 1 was Mobil 1 and did not know I needed something special for diesel.

I will get the right stuff next time.

When you say save the synthetic for 20k, are you saying to keep using synthetic, or not to use it until 20K?

It came with synthetic from the factory.

p.s. it has not worked very hard. lot of light stuff and flat ground. and I just run the speed limit or less.

[piper1]

I generally stay away from synthetics UNTIL you hit 20k.

However.....

I would do whatever Dodge (not the dealer) recommends. There will be something in your owners manual about service and it should tell you what oils are approved and the change intervals for each. Dodge can get a little funny when it comes to warranty. Just remember CJ-4, you engine and it's emission system need this rating of oil.

A heavy load will do wonders for your engine if you can get one.

[dhalltoyo]

If I am reading your post correctly, your engine used two quarts of oil after you switched over to Mobil 1.

As Piper 1 indicated, diesel engines have different requirements.

I'd suggest you immediately change the oil and filter; refilling with the correct grade of oil for your diesel. Then I would check you level at each fill up. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the level stayed constant.

PS. Going back as far as 1992, I have never had any engine that used a drop of oil at 1 mile or 100,000 miles.

[RLENT]

I would NOT switch from synthetic to conventional if Dodge (and MB who makes the motor) says to use synthetic (and they do on my '06 ...) It's false economy.

If your dealer is recommending that you do so and Dodge says not to, I'd start looking for another dealer. (Sounds kinda like mine - I only let them do certain things - 'cause I don't think they fully know what they are doing .....)

BTW, I was talking to a guy from carrier today here at the Pilot in Georgetown, KY that has a relatively new '07 with 20K on it - he says it goes thru quite a bit of oil ..... although I don't recall the exact amount.

[RLENT]

Originally Posted by dhalltoyo

If I am reading your post correctly, your engine used two quarts of oil after you switched over to Mobil 1.

Rev,

You aren't - read it again.

dcalien,

Regarding oil consumption, my 2006 Sprinter's manual says the following:

"When the engine has passed the break-in period, oil consumption may reach 0.5% of the fuel consumption recorded in actual operating circumstances. In isolated cases and in arduous operating conditions, oil consumption may increase to 1% of the fuel consumption record in actual operating conditions."

To put that in practical terms, in 100 gallons of fuel usage you might expect to use up to two or four quarts - depending on whether you were operating under "arduous" conditions or not.

BTW, the correct spec for your motor oil is likely is a Mercedes spec (mine is 228.3, 228.5, 229.3 or 229.5 - but 229.5 is the spec for the original Mobil 1 0W-40 that came as the factory fill - although in my manual they also say an API - American Petroleum Institute - spec is apparently acceptable - however in my manual they don't really specify which ones ..... they just list some oils that are approved (and also meet the MB spec)

I'd stick with the factory fill myself (.... where's that Turtle guy when ya need him .... ?)

[dcalien]

Hey thanks for the responses. Yes, I will stick with what Mercedes uses. I don't want to throw away money, however, I will do whatever is required to take care of my equipment.

[Turtle]

OK, first, the Mercedes engine is a European engine, so you've got to think European. What works for non-European diesels in North America will not be the same with a European engine. The oils are different, because the engine specs are different. Euro engines are spec'd extremely tight for engine oils. Any ol' 30W oil might work in the old pickup, but it won't work in Euro engines. Same with CI-4. Not all CI-4 oils will work in a Sprinter. The manual will have a list of Mercedes approved engine oils. Stick to the list. Always stick to the list. Among many reasons, turbo engines require oils with specific high temp and high shear strength characteristics, and non-Euro oils are not made to such tight specs, because North American oils are generally formulated to be backwards compatible, while Euro oils are generally made for a specific engine, and only that engine. American engines are built by and large to fit the oils that are already on the market, whereas in Europe they build an engine and then tell the oil companies to make an oil for it, an oil that meets certain rigid requirements.

On the bottle of oil it will list the MB Sheet number, and for the 07 Sprinters the MB Sheet is 229.51. If it doesn't say MB 229.51, don't use it.

Toss out all the "conventional wisdom" you think you know about engine oils when it comes to European engines. Things like use this or that oil until 20,000 miles, then use a different oil after that. Actually, that's not even a good idea with American engines. Each brand and oil viscosity will cause the engine to wear slightly differently. For example, Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 and Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 are both on the list of 229.51 oils, but you wouldn't want to use one of them for a while, then suddenly change to the other one. Both are the same specs, but the engine will wear slightly differently with each one. Pick an oil, preferably the one used for the initial fill, and stick with it. Forever. The initial fill for 07 and 08 Sprinters is Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40. Also, unless and until Mercedes approves an oil additive, like Lucas, don't use one. Currently there are no approved oil additives.

The 07 and 08 Sprinters are not designed for conventional (dino) oil, and there is no dino oil on the Approved List (there are for 06 and earlier models, however). If your dealer is switching to to dino oil on an 07, find a different dealer. If you call up Mobile and ask, they will tell you the only place you can get the 229.51 Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 oil is at Mercedes Benz dealers (and Sprinter dealers). Dig in the Yellow Pages for a Mobile oil distributor, or talk to a retailer that sells Mobile oil and see if you can get it there. Buying a case or two at a time should get you a decent discount.

[hondaking38]

while mine is a different engine,it being a 05 since new i used mobile 5-30 truck and suv 5 qts available at wally world for 21.97 as far as consumption 1/2 a qaurt every oil change which averaged 14,000 miles...now my buddy uses the same oil in his 07 about a qt every oil change which is now 10,000 miles with the different motor

[Zoli]

''Also, unless and until Mercedes approves an oil additive, like Lucas, don't use one. Currently there are no approved oil additives''

Recently I bought a Straight truck with MB900 engine.It has 320 000 miles.I changed the oil and I used one gallon of Lucas.What should I do now?SHould I use it again or should I use just oil?Thank you

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by hondaking38

while mine is a different engine,it being a 05 since new i used mobile 5-30 truck and suv 5 qts available at wally world for 21.97 as far as consumption 1/2 a qaurt every oil change which averaged 14,000 miles...now my buddy uses the same oil in his 07 about a qt every oil change which is now 10,000 miles with the different motor

I'm not kidding when I say that Euro and American oils are different, and if it's not on the list, don't use it. People think oil is oil is oil, but it's not. The Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 is a turbo diesel oil, and is the same as Mobile Delvac 1. (it's on the list)

The Mobile 1 Truck and SUV 5W-30 (note: there's no "diesel" in the name) is a gasoline oil and light duty diesel, and is not suited for turbo diesel engines. (it's definitely not on the list)

Your buddy with the 07 and not using a 229.51 oil... well... that engine critically requires a low ash oil, and if the oil isn't a 229.51 oil, it ain't low ash. A high ash oil in that engine not only doesn't give the metal parts a proper oil coating for protection, the ash is extremely abrasive.

The proper oil is critical for a diesel. It's even more important for a turbo diesel. And it's even more important again if it's a European engine. European turbo diesel. There ya go.

Always stick to the list. Always.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Zoli

''Also, unless and until Mercedes approves an oil additive, like Lucas, don't use one. Currently there are no approved oil additives''

Recently I bought a Straight truck with MB900 engine.It has 320 000 miles.I changed the oil and I used one gallon of Lucas.What should I do now?SHould I use it again or should I use just oil?Thank you

I dunno, you might want to check with Detroit Diesel and see what they say, but I'm pretty sure those engines are built here for American standards and are not Euro engines, and as such Lucas is probably a good thing to have in there at this point.

[greg334]

When I was down at DD I didn't get to ask about oil but I know that Lucas is not on their list of things to use. I think the one guy said it is like throwing in a gallon of tallow.

[piper1]

For the record, my final advice to him was to follow whatever Dodge recommends.