jam - 7/21/2007 10:44 PM

I ask the head team leader and the part guy,the only oil they use is M1 ESP. When I go back I will ask again. JAM

DUTCH - 7/22/2007 3:38 AM

it has less additives (especially those that prevent wear) in it; and, as such, is not as good of an oil with more.

Wolfgang - 7/22/2007 1:32 PM



DUTCH, not sure that's true. Just compare the specs like the high temperature high shear strength. It's higher for the Mobil 1 ESP 5W-40 than for the Mobil 1 0W-40. I believe the vapor pressure in the ESP oil was reduced slightly compared to the non ESP oil. But Mercedes says one can also use the non ESP Mobil 1 0W-40 229.5 oil in diesels, since the vapor difference is not that much.

PS. I use Mobil 1 ESP 5W-40 in the 1999 ML320 now. Might even be good for the catalytic converters in there, if less oil is blown into them... :lmao:

Sulfated ash, Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Zinc in engine oils. Those contents all play key roles in oil performance, but now they must be restricted. Because after all, a very slight amount of oil does get consumed in the engine and exits through the exhaust. And with higher EGR rates, even more oil is likely to be burned. Again, the problem with each of these four is that they accumulate in the DPF catalyst “brick” and plug it up.

By severely limiting these elements and compounds in the motor oil, the performance capability of the oil has been limited. And to a great extent, the use of synthetic oils becomes almost essential. But whether synthetics or fossil-oil, this logically means that the diesel engine oil must be changed more frequently than would otherwise be needed, again consuming more natural resources that are non-renewable, and probably increasing the amount of used oil dumped in the environment.

Specifically, the CJ-4 oils are limited in their capability to reduce wear, to control/disperse soot, and to neutralize acids. The soot and acid issue means that premium synthetics are limited to lower maximum extended drain intervals. At the same time, the higher EGR rates are producing more soot and more acid in the oil, both of which are proven to reduce engine life. So oil performance and engine life have both been compromised by these CJ-4 requirements. To better see what I mean, compare the specs for AMSOIL’s new CJ-4 diesel oil, with the flagship CI-4 Plus Diesel Oil: the new CJ-4 doesn’t perform near as well in the NOACK volatility or the 4-Ball Wear Test, and check out the huge difference in TBN’s.

DUTCH - 8/2/2007 5:12 PM

Here's the link to the complete article:

http://autoengineer.wordpress.com/2006/10/23/2007-diesel-regulation...

Not exactly an unbiased source, but interesting information nonetheless.

Delo(R) 400 LE(TM) Gains Mercedes Benz Approval.

From: Business Wire Date: March 7, 2007 More results for: Chevron Delo(R) 400 LE(TM) Multigrade SAE 15W-40

-- Chevron's Most Advanced Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oil Ideal For Use in "Sprinter" Vans --

SAN RAMON, Calif. -- Chevron Delo[R] 400 LE[TM] Multigrade SAE 15W-40 has received formulation approval for Mercedes Benz (MB) diesel engine oil specification 228.31, covering all Mercedes-Benz diesel engines using Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). Chevron Delo 400 LE, which already meets MB 228.3, was approved for the new specification without reformulation. MB 228.31 approval requires running the full suite of API CJ-4 tests, plus passing two additional engine tests developed by ...

Wolfgang - 9/29/2007 10:19 AM

DUTCH,

did you see this?

Another source for the Mobil 1 ESP 5W-40 229.51 oil, by mailorder.

http://www.avlube.com/mo1espfom5wc.html

DUTCH - 9/29/2007 7:52 AM

I remember someone mentioning it; but since I'm paying $31.80 for the same thing with no shipping, I don't think I'll change.

FWIW, MBUSA's List Price on a case is $35.70.

jam - 10/13/2007 1:07 AM

To Wolfgang I have 07 ML320CDI,wood you go 10,000mi on the esp oil. Is the oil that good JAM

jam - 10/16/2007 12:59 AM

Thank You bmwm3csi for the lab I should get the kit in 2wk The dealer told me my ML320cdi will tell if the oil is bad some how it analyses the oil. JAM

robwill54 - 10/16/2007 10:22 AM

Dutch,
You make a good point about Mercedes obligation being over at 50000 miles; do you observe the 10000 mile interval or, if not, what is your oil change interval? I am a Cummins Dealer in the business quite a while. We would never even get close to that type of oil change interval. The only engines we maintain on a yearly basis are standby pump & generator units that might see 50 to 100 hours in that span. I guess I just don't understand the reasoning behind this interval, as diesel engines are inherently dirty by nature.

Bob

lkchris - 10/16/2007 3:12 PM

This is the 21st century and 20th century convention is ancient history.