Back in the 60's, I used to be able to buy reclaimed oil at my local market.Since it was so cheap, I did the following: drain the old oil and fill up with the reclaimed oil. Then I drove for about 1/2 hour until the engine reached full operating temperature. At that point I changed the filter, drained the reclaimed oil, then filled with fresh new oil.IMHO, my engines lasted a long time. Now I have my first diesel, made by M-B and they have a very restricted list of approved oils. In addition to that, I noticed that the fresh oil turned black in only about 5 minutes after changing the oil.So I ask whether doing the above procedure would provide any benefit or is it just a waste of time and money?

I would take a common sense approach. Ask the service manager at the Mercedes dealership his opinion about engine longevity. If he remarks a figure of 3-400,000 miles then it may influence your opinion.

IMHODraining your old dirty oil then filling it back up with more dirty oil only to drain and fill with new oil was one too many steps and did nothingChanging your oil frequently is what longevity is about.I do oil & filter changes every 5000 miles.Sure I could go longer between changes.....could even send off samples for analysis.But for me......simple. Change it at 5000 miles and go on.ALL of my vehicle engines last a LONG timeOil is the blood, fuel is the heart, air filter is the lungs...keep them clean and all's good(If I would have used same concept for my body I would be in much better condition but have enjoyed life regardless. 'Rode hard and put away wet' :B )

Oil is cheap. Engines are not. Use NEW oil. These motors ain't what your grandfather had.....

Was the reclaimed oil you used in the 60's rerefined?If it was, that may have helped remove a little sludge. But, I don't think it was worth the effort and expense.I don't know anything about the new diesels. Several years ago I had a diesel. I changed the oil often and it was always black. Like you said, a few minutes after changing, it was black.I always assumed it was the nature of the beast.Change your oil on a regular schedule, use the recommended type of oil and don't worry about it.

When you drain the oil, there is always a little left on the surfaces. With a diesel, it turns black due to soot. You just mixed the new oil with the old sooty oil. You just can't visually see that the soot is drastically thinned out.As far as helping reliability, your average new engine will outlast the chassis just following the manufacturers maintenance plan, so there is nothing to gain by putting suspect used oil into the engine.

Serious Oil Change | Good Sam Community

gbopp
Explorer
Nov 15, 2017
Was the reclaimed oil you used in the 60's rerefined?
If it was, that may have helped remove a little sludge. But, I don't think it was worth the effort and expense.

I don't know anything about the new diesels. Several years ago I had a diesel. I changed the oil often and it was always black. Like you said, a few minutes after changing, it was black.

I always assumed it was the nature of the beast.

Change your oil on a regular schedule, use the recommended type of oil and don't worry about it.
jerseyjim
Explorer
Nov 15, 2017
Oil is cheap. Engines are not. Use NEW oil. These motors ain't what your grandfather had.....
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 15, 2017
IMHO
Draining your old dirty oil then filling it back up with more dirty oil only to drain and fill with new oil was one too many steps and did nothing

Changing your oil frequently is what longevity is about.

I do oil & filter changes every 5000 miles.
Sure I could go longer between changes.....could even send off samples for analysis.
But for me......simple. Change it at 5000 miles and go on.

ALL of my vehicle engines last a LONG time
Oil is the blood, fuel is the heart, air filter is the lungs...keep them clean and all's good
(If I would have used same concept for my body I would be in much better condition but have enjoyed life regardless. 'Rode hard and put away wet' :B )
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Nov 15, 2017
I would take a common sense approach. Ask the service manager at the Mercedes dealership his opinion about engine longevity. If he remarks a figure of 3-400,000 miles then it may influence your opinion.

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