350SD/SDL owners: I need urgent help - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 02-16-2014, 06:44 PM

I have a 91 350SDL that rides like a dream. It has few issues, one being a slight oil leak due to a bad valve cover gasket.

The weather being what it is, I have deferred on fixing this, but have continued to add oil .

Then tragedy struck: my original oil dipstick plastic top broke into a zillion pieces.

The replacement from the dealer does not look anything like it.
I had the parts guy double check, he swears it works.

My request: Can someone measure the length of the 350SD/SDL OM603.97 dipstick between where it says FULL / MAX to where it touches the top of the dipstick tube? This will enable me to create a dipstick that is accurate.

If anyone has a spare ORIGINAL dipstick to sell, please let me know. I would buy it, obviously.

I noticed that my oil pressure has gone down slightly after longer trips at high speed (115 miles at 70 mph on dry road). I feared it might be oil loss due to the valve cover leak, but do not want to overfill.

Your help appreciated.

vstech · #2 02-16-2014, 09:11 PM

what happened to the original one?

it should be the same as all 603's... I can measure my 87 tomorrow...

NJ300sdl · #3 02-17-2014, 08:37 AM

I think it is different.

May have a 3.5 dipstick available tomorrow.

You could change the oil and mark the stick with a file.

strelnik · #4 02-17-2014, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ300sdl

I think it is different.

May have a 3.5 dipstick available tomorrow.

You could change the oil and mark the stick with a file.

Yes I could, but the oil is fairly new and it's +2 degrees now.

I'll send you a PM, you can send the dipstick and I'll pay you by Paypal.

In the meantime I still need the measurement: distance between the top of the dipstick tube and the top of the level MAX or FULL

strelnik · #5 02-17-2014, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

what happened to the original one?

it should be the same as all 603's... I can measure my 87 tomorrow...

The plastic on the top cracked, was cracked and loose since I have owned the car.

daw_two · #6 02-17-2014, 11:26 AM

I have a spare 350SDL dipstick hanging in my garage. I also have a 1991 350SDL in the driveway. I will measure/compare both dipsticks tonight. If you want, I can take pics and upload them tonight.

jusme · #7 02-17-2014, 11:47 AM

I also have a 3.5L dipstick available if you still end up needing one.

daw_two · #8 02-17-2014, 09:54 PM

Here you go. The red handle (top) oil dipstick in the pics is from a 1991 350SD. The black handle (bottom) oil dipstick is from a 1987 300SDL.

The red handle oil dipstick measures: 19 3/8 inches "max" and almost 20 3/16 inches to the "min"

PM sent.

strelnik · #9 02-18-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Here you go. The red handle (top) oil dipstick in the pics is from a 1991 350SD. The black handle (bottom) oil dipstick is from a 1987 300SDL.

The red handle oil dipstick measures: 19 3/8 inches "max" and almost 20 3/16 inches to the "min"

PM sent.

Thanks very much for the info, now I can make sure the motor is not oil-starved

strelnik · #10 02-18-2014, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

Thanks very much for the info, now I can make sure the motor is not oil-starved

After looking at the photo which daw_two showed with the 300and the 350SDL dipsticks, I measured and discovered:

The dimensions on my dipstick were identical to the ones on his!

However, this does or does not answer the question if it's the right one.

here's why:
When I bought the dipstick at the MB dealer, it looked shorter than the one that broke. Eddie the wizardly parts guy said it was the authorized alternate, the original was No longer available.

That said, I bought it and used it.

However, does this mean:

the dipstick that came with the car was the original? or not the right one?

JUSME: You said you had a 350SDL dipstick: Does it look and measure like daw_two's or is it different?

I believe I have a workable dipstick, I'd like to know if there are any others of different lengths out there for the same engine (350SDL)

Other 350 SDL owners: Does your dipstick look like the one daw_two photographed? Same dimensions?

I may seem picky, but I would hate to kill the motor over this.

Thanks again!

daw_two · #11 02-18-2014, 01:55 PM

Strelnik ----

Do you still have the dipstick that came with your car (handle crumbled, right?)? Maybe you could measure it. What color was the handle on it?

For reference:
The oil dipstick in the http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/333121-1991-350sdl-gray-interior-fire-repair.html
and
the spare one (in my previous picture) from http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/342922-1991-350sdl-part-out.html
were identical.

compu_85 · #12 02-18-2014, 02:01 PM

I'll take some measurements of mine tonight. The handle of mine is bright orange, the one daw_two pictured looks darker.

-J

compu_85 · #13 02-18-2014, 02:13 PM

Interesting the 3.5 dipstick is shorter. Perhaps because the side pan was removed? I wonder if that's why they got the windage tray as well.

-J

daw_two · #14 02-18-2014, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

I'll take some measurements of mine tonight. The handle of mine is bright orange, the one daw_two pictured looks darker.

-J

Here's a close up pic of the handles. The red (?) handle belongs to the 350SDL --- there's a number on it too.
The black handle belongs to the 300SDL.

Stupid cell phone pics --- can't read the number.

benhogan · #15 02-18-2014, 03:31 PM

Strelnik-

I assume that that is the car that used to be mine.

Keep in mind that the original engine had been replaced. I once went through 3 alternators on that thing because I installed the serpentine belt meant for the original engine. The original engine required a belt that was 1 inch shorter. So because it was so tight, it ate the alternator bearings. Once I installed the proper belt (I think it was for an 87), things went smoothly for there.

Care to post some pictures my friend? did you ever paint the car?