Oil level guesswork.

[Mike Heagney]

My 230 SL came with a reconditioned engine but the sump pan and dip stick are 280 SL,so I'm not confident of an accurate fill level.
  Does anyone know if the 230 and 280 sump pans carry the same volume,or the difference between both.
  I think knowing if the dip stick is telling the truth or not is vital.
Thanks, Mike.

[ja17]

Hello Mike,

The oil pan will actually determine the oil quantity. The oil pans became larger and increased in volume as time went on. So you may have a 230SL engine with the oil volume of a 280SL minus the amount held in the oil cooler of the 280SL. Just go by the dip stick and you should be fine.

After the end of production of the W113 cars in 1971, the 1972 Mercedes 280SE sedans had a M130 engine with an even larger oil pan (about 1/2 quarty). Some 280SL owners have changed to this pan for more oil capacity. I believe the replacement engines from the factory also have the latest oil pans even on  the W113 engines.

If you have the latest version on your engine the steel "sub pan" will be ribbed on the bottom instead of smooth on the original version. Go to section 18-6 of the BBB for all the details. Notice the extension on the oil pump pick up for the deeper pan.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Mike Heagney]

Thanks for both replies Joe.
The engine is at rest on its oil pan. Looking forward to an underbelly check.