Author Topic: 280SL Engine oil discharge  (Read 4773 times)

bogeyman

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280SL Engine oil discharge
« on: June 17, 2011, 00:25:51 »
I have the opportunity to buy an original engine out of a 280SL.
Owner claims it was running OK but was pushing oil out of the dipstick.
Any ideas what might cause this or what I might look for?
Rick Bogart
1970 280SL Black(040)/Parchment
1969 280SL Silver(180)/Green
1993 500E
1972 350SL
1995 E320 Cabrio

Benz Dr.

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Re: 280SL Engine oil discharge
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2011, 05:18:38 »
The crankcase needs to be vented or this will happen. Good chance the line going from the valve cover to the throttle valve is plugged.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

jaymanek

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Re: 280SL Engine oil discharge
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2011, 09:27:37 »
Benz Dr is far more experienced than I, but from my experience of modern engines, excess crankcase pressure could indicate bottom end issues.

Benz Dr.

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Re: 280SL Engine oil discharge
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2011, 13:30:17 »
I can't disagree with that but I started with something easy. I've seen some really worn out engines and nothing was coming out of the dip stick. Look for an obsruction first and then do a compression test.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Garry

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Re: 280SL Engine oil discharge
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2012, 09:23:08 »
I have a similar problem on a 230 Auto that I am going to look at on Wednesday where there appears to be oil venting from the dipstick.  Would the good Dr suggest to check the same problem as the 280 engine in this thread? Meanwhile I will see if I can get a compression check done tomorrow.

Garry
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G
2005 MB A200
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Electric
2024 Volvo EX30 Electric

Benz Dr.

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Re: 280SL Engine oil discharge
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2012, 17:20:22 »
If you have the early 230Sl dip stick with the filter, then it's possible for excess crank case pressure to be vented through the tube. Later engines won't have this filter on the dip stick and all venting is done through the line on top of the valve cover.
Early 230 engines have a smaller port on the throttle body than the later engines probably because all crank case venting is routed through this system. Since the throttle valve is closed at idle, any real pressure build up won't be drawn away quickly enough and you may find that oil is being forced out through seals or cracks in gaskets. If you have that much blow by, it could be pointing to a bigger problem. 
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Garry

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Re: 280SL Engine oil discharge
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2012, 21:19:37 »
It is a very early engine I think, I believe the car was a June 1963!
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G
2005 MB A200
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Electric
2024 Volvo EX30 Electric