Hypothetical question with regard to incorrect oil use.

[Tikka]

Hi.
I recently had my Jeep with OM642 engine serviced at the dealer. When i got home i noticed the invoice stated that Castrol Edge 0w-20 oil had been used. I spoke to service dep't and they assured me it was a mistake on the invoice and the correct 5w-30, MB229.52 oil had been used.

Out of curiosity, what would have been the repercussions of running a 0w-20 oil in my OM642?

Many thanks.

 

[fantastic]

Hi.
I recently had my Jeep with OM642 engine serviced at the dealer. When i got home i noticed the invoice stated that Castrol Edge 0w-20 oil had been used. I spoke to service dep't and they assured me it was a mistake on the invoice and the correct 5w-30, MB229.52 oil had been used.

Out of curiosity, what would have been the repercussions of running a 0w-20 oil in my OM642?

Many thanks.

Pull a sample, get it tested, and look at the viscosity.

 

[rstsco]

I would ask the person to whom you spoke in the service department to correct the invoice and email you a copy. Keep the original and revised invoices.

Personally, I'd take a sample through the dipstick hole using a pump and send it for UOA. It will show the viscosity of the oil in the sump, which will either validate what you were told, or provide documentation that the oil is not the 30 grade specified. You should also be able to compare other values from the UOA to known virgin samples of the Castrol.

Did the dealer say what brand and product line they actually used? MB229.52 is a spec, not an oil. This also needs to be on the revised invoice. You can then compare your UOA to a virgin sample of that oil.

You don't need to buy oils to send virgin samples. There should be enough floating around either on BITOG or elsewhere.

As for repercussions, unless you're running it hard until you get the results, probably not any, especially since it's winter.

 

[HemiBenny]

They assured you.

I wouldn’t feel assured at all. I would demand another service with the correct oil. They can’t argue too much, it’s right there in black and white. Keep a copy of the old invoice, and a copy of the new one stating what happened.

I sure wouldn’t waste my time and money on samples and analysis because they made a mistake in the shop or at the service desk. Why should that burden fall on you?

 

[TiGeo]

It will be fine.

 

[GrumpyCat]

The concern with MB229.52 is not the viscosity but the additives which might get through the combustion process into your DPF and SCR.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Or they could put the correct oil on the invoice and pour the incorrect oil in the shop also. How would you know?

Or, like my toyota dealer, they could put on the invoice that they changed the oil, then not change the oil at all. That was funny. Re-confirmed my distrust in dealers. I called them out on it obviosly, and of course they backpaddled and then said I wasn't at high enough miles to need a oil change. I asked why they put it on the invoice. I also pointed out that I was at 12 months - the Toyota specified interval (since they had changed it ).

In the end the only way to 100% ensure its done right is to DIY.

 

[HemiBenny]

In the end the only way to 100% ensure its done right is to DIY.

^^^This is the only way.

I think the OP needs to go back and hold them accountable, no matter which end the mistake was made. Hopefully, he can see his Jeep being serviced from where he's waiting.
Accountability seems to be lacking these days. That's why dealers shrug things off with a wave of their hand.

 

[FreedomOne]

Yeah they put 0w20 in there.

 

[kschachn]

If they said they used the correct oil, then if you trust them then there's no problem. If you don't trust them then either go back and probe some more or get it changed elsewhere with the correct oil.

Or send a sample for viscosity testing.

 

[rstsco]

I sure wouldn’t waste my time and money on samples and analysis because they made a mistake in the shop or at the service desk. Why should that burden fall on you?

Personally, I'd want to know if I'd been lied to so you'd know whether to trust them to do any service correctly going forward.

Perhaps the tech doing the work was from the US where everything gets 0W-20, whether you like it or not!

 

[oil pan 4]

They probably put 20wt in it. Dealers like to put 20wt in everything.
After all their business model is to sell you a new vehicle every 2 to 8 years....

 

[TiGeo]

They probably put 20wt in it. Dealers like to put 20wt in everything.
After all their business model is to sell you a new vehicle every 2 to 8 years....

13 year old Ford Focus on 20 grade in front of my house. Guess they dropped the ball on that one

 

[oil pan 4]

13 year old Ford Focus on 20 grade in front of my house. Guess they dropped the ball on that one

20wt is fine as long as:
It gets changed on time.
There's little to no fuel dilution.
The oil temperature rarely if ever goes above about 100c.

You post on here so you probably change your oil on time.
It's a port injected engine without that auto stop-stop so fuel dilution likely isn't a problem.
It's a little car so the only time the oil might get above 100c is when lightly loaded in stop and go traffic.
Add some fuel dilution and go over the OCI and it will be a whole different story.

 

[Pablo]

I would be nervous. Very nervous.

I would ask the person to whom you spoke in the service department to correct the invoice and email you a copy. Keep the original and revised invoices.

Personally, I'd take a sample through the dipstick hole using a pump and send it for UOA. It will show the viscosity of the oil in the sump, which will either validate what you were told, or provide documentation that the oil is not the 30 grade specified. You should also be able to compare other values from the UOA to known virgin samples of the Castrol.

Did the dealer say what brand and product line they actually used? MB229.52 is a spec, not an oil. This also needs to be on the revised invoice. You can then compare your UOA to a virgin sample of that oil.

You don't need to buy oils to send virgin samples. There should be enough floating around either on BITOG or elsewhere.

As for repercussions, unless you're running it hard until you get the results, probably not any, especially since it's winter.

Good plan.

I'm not saying harm will come, but trust is real.

 

[TiGeo]

20wt is fine as long as:
It gets changed on time.
There's little to no fuel dilution.
The oil temperature rarely if ever goes above about 100c.

You post on here so you probably change your oil on time.
It's a port injected engine without that auto stop-stop so fuel dilution likely isn't a problem.
It's a little car so the only time the oil might get above 100c is when lightly loaded in stop and go traffic.
Add some fuel dilution and go over the OCI and it will be a whole different story.

It's DI. It's tuned. It's driven pretty hard including autocross. Had some oil consumption starting a few year's ago but Valvoline Restore and Protect (5W-20) sorted it.

 

[rstsco]

Please note: the OP is in England and the engine is a diesel. Just saying.

 

[oil pan 4]

It's DI. It's tuned. It's driven pretty hard including autocross. Had some oil consumption starting a few year's ago but Valvoline Restore and Protect (5W-20) sorted it.

How hot does the oil get?
Driving it hard keeps away the fuel dilution.
It's not just 20wt. It's 20wt plus fuel dilution and/or irresponsible, overoptimistic OCIs.

 

[4wd]

My service rep read the ticket - came out and apologized for the newbie putting in 5W-30 … needed to take it back again …
I asked if he thought that hurt anything ? Head shook …
Said give me the keys - we both grinned …

 

[CleanSump]

It's a Mercedes OM642 Diesel for all sakes. I'm not screaming the sky is falling, but I've had one of these engines for 18 years. 20 is too thin for this diesel and Full SAPS is bad for the DPF and SCR (some have SCR, early ones don't). This isn't a Ford or Chevy pickup or a rice burner.
Take it back and demand they put the correct oil in, not just pencil whip the paperwork.