Without maintenance history, take it to a dealer for an inspection and ask them specifically about the oil and possible contamination.
New here and need some input on oil being odd
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Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Every car I've seen with significant water contamination has looked like chocolate milkshake on the stick and under the oil cap provided it has been run post contamination.
Has this car sat unused for a while and was that picture prior to or after the test drive?
What does it look like under the fill cap?
What does the owner/records say about maintenance?
Considering what a repair on a S55 is bound to cost, I'd be inclined to have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist.
I drove it a week or so a go but never looked at the oil(it was night). This car drives unbelievably. No hesitation all kinds of power and so on. I went back yesterday and decided to check around. The car has not been started in at least 2-3 days. so that is pretty much undisturbed oil.
The car from the factory has just under 500hp and you feel it. On the highway at 100kph you put your foot into it and you are at 170kph in a blink of an eye. I am in my forties so I do not hot rod around but when testing a car I will put my foot into.
Every car I've seen with significant water contamination has looked like chocolate milkshake on the stick and under the oil cap provided it has been run post contamination.
Has this car sat unused for a while and was that picture prior to or after the test drive?
What does it look like under the fill cap?
What does the owner/records say about maintenance?
Considering what a repair on a S55 is bound to cost, I'd be inclined to have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist.
I drove it a week or so a go but never looked at the oil(it was night). This car drives unbelievably. No hesitation all kinds of power and so on. I went back yesterday and decided to check around. The car has not been started in at least 2-3 days. so that is pretty much undisturbed oil.
The car from the factory has just under 500hp and you feel it. On the highway at 100kph you put your foot into it and you are at 170kph in a blink of an eye. I am in my forties so I do not hot rod around but when testing a car I will put my foot into.
Originally Posted By: CrawfishTails
Originally Posted By: Scoott
The seller is selling because of a death and knows absolutely nothing about the car.
The car is at the low end of the scale these fetch here
Mercedes dealers keep maintenance records by VIN number, so they have info, if it went there obviously. It could just be a little water contamination from short trips turning it red. Like you said to, Motul turns red, and thats a popular oil for Mercedes, maybe anyway.
During the time I first looked at it and the the last time yesterday I did bring the VIN to Mercedes and they had a complete list of work till it was out of warranty. After the warranty has ended the car was serviced else where.
Originally Posted By: Scoott
The seller is selling because of a death and knows absolutely nothing about the car.
The car is at the low end of the scale these fetch here
Mercedes dealers keep maintenance records by VIN number, so they have info, if it went there obviously. It could just be a little water contamination from short trips turning it red. Like you said to, Motul turns red, and thats a popular oil for Mercedes, maybe anyway.
During the time I first looked at it and the the last time yesterday I did bring the VIN to Mercedes and they had a complete list of work till it was out of warranty. After the warranty has ended the car was serviced else where.
I would have the vehicle inspected by a dealer before purchase. Have you ever priced what a Mercedes dealer charges for maintenance? If there is something serious wrong with the engine it is going to cost you a fortune. Do not get in a hurry to wrap this up. I like the old saying "if you want it bad, you get it bad."
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
Without maintenance history, take it to a dealer for an inspection and ask them specifically about the oil and possible contamination.
The issue with bringing it anywhere now is last Monday they brought the plates back to the ministry of transportation and canceled insurance. Also here Mercedes cannot look at it for all most two weeks.
I did offer them a lot less then what the car is worth.
Without maintenance history, take it to a dealer for an inspection and ask them specifically about the oil and possible contamination.
The issue with bringing it anywhere now is last Monday they brought the plates back to the ministry of transportation and canceled insurance. Also here Mercedes cannot look at it for all most two weeks.
I did offer them a lot less then what the car is worth.
Originally Posted By: Scoott
Originally Posted By: 19jacobob93
Originally Posted By: Scoott
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
I missed the part about this being a vehicle that you wanted to purchase. Don't.
The milky appearance of that fluid suggests contamination from coolant. I'd be concerned about a head gasket.
If you really like this vehicle, take it to a MB dealer and have them look it over.
Wouldn't the oil in the pan be milky as well. Every time I have seen a car with water/coolant in the oil it looks like a coffee with cream.
Any sugar or marshmallows?
But seriously if I saw that on a car I was about to buy I would avoid. Did you ask the seller about the oil? Who changed it, what oil and any additives ect. I add Liqui Moly to mine which turns the fresh clear oil into the most horrible cloudy grey colour but obviously it isn't harming anything
The seller is selling because of a death and knows absolutely nothing about the car.
The car is at the low end of the scale these fetch here
Very well! Sounds good from your description but if you do end up buying it, drain the old oil and get a test sample then fill it up with something that you know doesn't turn red! With a bit of luck it should turn out normal but report back to us any case
I would love to see a UOA on that spooky red stuff
Originally Posted By: 19jacobob93
Originally Posted By: Scoott
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
I missed the part about this being a vehicle that you wanted to purchase. Don't.
The milky appearance of that fluid suggests contamination from coolant. I'd be concerned about a head gasket.
If you really like this vehicle, take it to a MB dealer and have them look it over.
Wouldn't the oil in the pan be milky as well. Every time I have seen a car with water/coolant in the oil it looks like a coffee with cream.
Any sugar or marshmallows?
But seriously if I saw that on a car I was about to buy I would avoid. Did you ask the seller about the oil? Who changed it, what oil and any additives ect. I add Liqui Moly to mine which turns the fresh clear oil into the most horrible cloudy grey colour but obviously it isn't harming anything
The seller is selling because of a death and knows absolutely nothing about the car.
The car is at the low end of the scale these fetch here
Very well! Sounds good from your description but if you do end up buying it, drain the old oil and get a test sample then fill it up with something that you know doesn't turn red! With a bit of luck it should turn out normal but report back to us any case
As many of the members have stated already, bring the car to Mercedes or a Mercedes specialist and have a pre purchase inspection done. If that's not possible, pay for a specialist to come with you to the car and examine it on site.
It will be worth the cost for this service in the long run.
That's all that needs to be done to settle the issue one way or another.
It will be worth the cost for this service in the long run.
That's all that needs to be done to settle the issue one way or another.
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Originally Posted By: SilverSnake
I would have the vehicle inspected by a dealer before purchase. Have you ever priced what a Mercedes dealer charges for maintenance? If there is something serious wrong with the engine it is going to cost you a fortune. Do not get in a hurry to wrap this up. I like the old saying "if you want it bad, you get it bad."
The car I drive right now is a 2000 S430 which has less maintenance cost then the S55 AMG. The plugs for the 2003 S55 are $235 compared to mine at $127 V8 two plugs per cylinder. In my car I run Moblie 1 0W40 8 litres of oil
AMG stands for A Money Grab or All Money Gone.
I would have the vehicle inspected by a dealer before purchase. Have you ever priced what a Mercedes dealer charges for maintenance? If there is something serious wrong with the engine it is going to cost you a fortune. Do not get in a hurry to wrap this up. I like the old saying "if you want it bad, you get it bad."
The car I drive right now is a 2000 S430 which has less maintenance cost then the S55 AMG. The plugs for the 2003 S55 are $235 compared to mine at $127 V8 two plugs per cylinder. In my car I run Moblie 1 0W40 8 litres of oil
AMG stands for A Money Grab or All Money Gone.
You're taking a huge risk here, so determine if the discount is worth it. To me, it wouldn't be. Not without an inspection. Tow it to a dealer if you have to, or a reputable MB specialist if you know of one.
Even without this oil issue, I wouldn't buy a high mileage and high performance car without an inspection by a specialist, as diagnosis and repairs to this vehicle are beyond my mechanical abilities.
Even without this oil issue, I wouldn't buy a high mileage and high performance car without an inspection by a specialist, as diagnosis and repairs to this vehicle are beyond my mechanical abilities.
If the car has been serviced using conventional oil and not to often, there is likely a build up of redish varnish in the engine. When you change the oil to a fresh high detergent oil and/or a synthetic oil, it pulls the varnish off the walls and turns the oil red/brown. I switched a used car over to synthetic and the oil still turns red two years later.
This could be what you are seeing.
This could be what you are seeing.
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
You're taking a huge risk here, so determine if the discount is worth it. To me, it wouldn't be. Not without an inspection. Tow it to a dealer if you have to, or a reputable MB specialist if you know of one.
Even without this oil issue, I wouldn't buy a high mileage and high performance car without an inspection by a specialist, as diagnosis and repairs to this vehicle are beyond my mechanical abilities.
As I read my replies there are so many red flags. I guess seeing them in writing makes them sink in.
If the engine had issues head gasket etc I would be okay replacing a head gasket or might even look for a lower mileage engine and do a full swap. The price I would get it at I could part the car out and recoup my money. The body is straight, the car suspension does not drop(big issue with these), interior is mint and no rust. It has ABC Active Body Control a full hydraulic system run by a dual action pump that controls the power steering and the suspension. I fully understand the maintenance cost associated with this car and brand.
It is just this oil thing.
I actually might go back and grab some by taping the dipstick into a container and do the old drip it on to a hot surface. If it is just oil it will smoke if there is water it will sizzle like flicking water into a hot pan
You're taking a huge risk here, so determine if the discount is worth it. To me, it wouldn't be. Not without an inspection. Tow it to a dealer if you have to, or a reputable MB specialist if you know of one.
Even without this oil issue, I wouldn't buy a high mileage and high performance car without an inspection by a specialist, as diagnosis and repairs to this vehicle are beyond my mechanical abilities.
As I read my replies there are so many red flags. I guess seeing them in writing makes them sink in.
If the engine had issues head gasket etc I would be okay replacing a head gasket or might even look for a lower mileage engine and do a full swap. The price I would get it at I could part the car out and recoup my money. The body is straight, the car suspension does not drop(big issue with these), interior is mint and no rust. It has ABC Active Body Control a full hydraulic system run by a dual action pump that controls the power steering and the suspension. I fully understand the maintenance cost associated with this car and brand.
It is just this oil thing.
I actually might go back and grab some by taping the dipstick into a container and do the old drip it on to a hot surface. If it is just oil it will smoke if there is water it will sizzle like flicking water into a hot pan
Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis
If the car has been serviced using conventional oil and not to often, there is likely a build up of redish varnish in the engine. When you change the oil to a fresh high detergent oil and/or a synthetic oil, it pulls the varnish off the walls and turns the oil red/brown. I switched a used car over to synthetic and the oil still turns red two years later.
This could be what you are seeing.
That is interesting.
Mercedes says use full synthetic but I have heard of people using conventional and changing more often.
The engine is an all aluminum engine
If the car has been serviced using conventional oil and not to often, there is likely a build up of redish varnish in the engine. When you change the oil to a fresh high detergent oil and/or a synthetic oil, it pulls the varnish off the walls and turns the oil red/brown. I switched a used car over to synthetic and the oil still turns red two years later.
This could be what you are seeing.
That is interesting.
Mercedes says use full synthetic but I have heard of people using conventional and changing more often.
The engine is an all aluminum engine
I cannot believe how quick this forum helps out. I am very impressed
Just saw the pic - doesn't look right.
Originally Posted By: Scoott
To follow up
With the engine cold or hot I have put a cloth over each exhaust pipe and there is no moisture.
You better get lots of moisture - its a byproduct of NORMAL COMUSTION of hydrocarbons.
To follow up
With the engine cold or hot I have put a cloth over each exhaust pipe and there is no moisture.
You better get lots of moisture - its a byproduct of NORMAL COMUSTION of hydrocarbons.
Stay far away from this car. Looks like water in the oil. I don't know what ceretec look like but some dope may have put LM additiv in there.
I was stupid and excited and got burned by a 1998 BMW M roadster. The vanos was trash. Dealer would not honour used car warranty. YOu need to know when to walk.
I was stupid and excited and got burned by a 1998 BMW M roadster. The vanos was trash. Dealer would not honour used car warranty. YOu need to know when to walk.
It doesn't look right to me either, it sounds like you love the car so we might have a bit of a predicament right here...
Originally Posted By: jdavis
It doesn't look right to me either, it sounds like you love the car so we might have a bit of a predicament right here...
Yes I do really like the car but I do not know if I love it that much to replace an engine. The price of the car would accommodate a engine replacement.
I think I will bug them one more time and get some of the oil. Then try dropping a few drops on to a hot piece of metal. If it smokes it is oil with something added if it sizzles/steams up there is water/coolant in it.
If the car did not run the way it does I would have ran a never started this tread. The car has no performance signs of damage head gasket, cracked head/block, low oil pressure, bad bearings so on. I wish I would have taken a video of the motor running and you could see how smooth it really is.
It doesn't look right to me either, it sounds like you love the car so we might have a bit of a predicament right here...
Yes I do really like the car but I do not know if I love it that much to replace an engine. The price of the car would accommodate a engine replacement.
I think I will bug them one more time and get some of the oil. Then try dropping a few drops on to a hot piece of metal. If it smokes it is oil with something added if it sizzles/steams up there is water/coolant in it.
If the car did not run the way it does I would have ran a never started this tread. The car has no performance signs of damage head gasket, cracked head/block, low oil pressure, bad bearings so on. I wish I would have taken a video of the motor running and you could see how smooth it really is.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: Scoott
To follow up
With the engine cold or hot I have put a cloth over each exhaust pipe and there is no moisture.
You better get lots of moisture - its a byproduct of NORMAL COMUSTION of hydrocarbons.
Sorry did not explain that well. If the car is burning coolant you would get on the rag and it would smell like burning coolant
Originally Posted By: Scoott
To follow up
With the engine cold or hot I have put a cloth over each exhaust pipe and there is no moisture.
You better get lots of moisture - its a byproduct of NORMAL COMUSTION of hydrocarbons.
Sorry did not explain that well. If the car is burning coolant you would get on the rag and it would smell like burning coolant
I've seen new oil turn reddish when an engine is heavily varnished.
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