Author Topic: fuel and oil consumption  (Read 7505 times)

Cees Klumper

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fuel and oil consumption
« on: April 15, 2003, 16:29:37 »
In km per liter: my fuel consumption (1969 280 SL) averages around 7 to 7,5. That is not too good, but I have heard most owners quote just about the same. Cars in those days consumed a lot of fuel. Then, from earlier posts on the Yahoo! group, there have been claims of much better (and sometimes worse) mileage.

With oil consumption, I average around 1 liter per thousand km. That is quite a bit too, but I know my engine needs to be rebuilt. Upon deceleration, there usually is a puff of blue smoke. And if I don't clean the car for a long time, the right rear literally gets smudgy. Then, again from earlier posts on Yahoo!, there have been claims of no or almost no oil consumption.

So the actual experience is quite varied. After my engine rebuild, I am hoping for fuel consumption of around 8 km per liter, and oil consumption of maybe .2 liter per 1000 km.

Cees, 1969 280 SL
« Last Edit: April 15, 2003, 16:38:11 by cees klumper »
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

Douglas

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Re: fuel and oil consumption
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2003, 17:29:49 »
cees,

are you running on the original, unrestored motor? i'm curious about putting those numbers into perspective with your car's mileage, age, etc.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#11304410018260

Albert-230SL

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Re: fuel and oil consumption
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2003, 07:59:12 »
Because of the differences when filling the tank, to get an accurate result is necessary to examine the data during a long distance, or consider some consecutive full tanks.

Last september I went from Barcelona to Luxembourg for the Mercedes-Classic Days in my 230 SL, covering 2.848 km in 5 days (= 308,9 fuel liters and 2,85 oil liters), so the results should be accurate enough:

Average fuel consumption: 10,84 liters per 100 km (=9,23 km per liter)
Average oil consumption: 1 liter per 1000 km
Cruising speed on the highway: 110-130 km/h

During the trip, partial consumption readings went from 8,86 to 12,85 liters per 100 km., so you can see the big influence of the tank refueling in short distances.

Some relevant data:
Model: 230 SL manual 4 speed, 3/75 rear axle
Tyre size: Original (185 HR14)
Engine rebuilt (and adapted for unleaded fuel) just 3.700 km before the trip
Oil: Castrol 20w/50
Fuel: Unleaded 98


Regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

Cees Klumper

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Re: fuel and oil consumption
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2003, 16:39:17 »
Doug - the engine in my car is a sedan (280 SE) one, so it is definitely not the first. I also have no clue as to the true mileage on the car or on the engine.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

Peter van Es

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Re: fuel and oil consumption
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2003, 02:15:21 »
My car is a 1970 280SL, imported from the US with automatic.

I've been tracking fuel usage for quite a while now. Most of my trips are non-motorway, backroads, and town usage. I'm currently getting around 6.6 - 6.8 kilometers per liter -- fairly consistently. But that is for fairly shortish trips usually, around 30km each time, and very little motorway usage. I expect that on the motorway I'd be getting closer to Alberts average.

My car uses no oil (that is, it needs no top ups after yearly oil changes at all). I do around 2000-3000 km per year only though (so far) -- but I'd like to get that up to 5000km.

I use Super with lead replacement.

Peter

Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280 SL
« Last Edit: April 17, 2003, 02:17:01 by vanesp »
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

Cees Klumper

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Re: fuel and oil consumption
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2003, 02:56:30 »
Peter - you don't need to put in fuel with lead substitute. This was the outcome of a lengthy discussion concerning leaded vs. unleaded fuel on Yahoo a year or so ago, and here's what Achim among others posted on this:

"In Germany leaded fuel was discontinued several years ago. Many owners of old cars  were concerned and asked [this question]. Mercedes-Benz released several public statements in journals, on request and in the shops. They all say the same. You can run the [W113] car without any substitute additives. Mercedes even warned of any additives. You shouldn't use anything (to "clean" the valves, etc.). However, Mercedes-Benz recommends to check the free play of the valves twice as often as the normal intervals mentioned in their original technical manuals (owner's manual, shop manual, tables manual) and to adjust it if necessary. There is no need to exchange the valve seats."
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

n/a

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Re: fuel and oil consumption
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2003, 12:56:54 »
i have just rebuilt my engine (acc orginal specs) and carry out very short trips ~30KM daily. my fuel consumption is as follows: ~7.4km per litre.