Oil in the fuel injection system

[Paul99]

I keep checking the status of the oil level via the small screw in plug on the injection system. All seems fine.

My question is how does the oil get there?  Is it fed by the engine? If not should I be changing it or not or just ensure the level is ok ?

[teahead]

what year car you have?

Early ones were self-contained.

Later, it was fed by the engine oiling system.

[Garry]

his info on signature shows as 66 230 sl

[Benz Dr.]

his info on signature shows as 66 230 sl

I saw that too after I read it twice. It wouldn't be the first time I've fired off a quick response only to see later that I missed the mark.

I've made it a point to read through all posts carefully before answering and to spend a bit of time editing my posts before I hit send. Sometimes I do such a good job there's nothing left to send. 

[Paul99]

Yes its a fairly early car - oct 1966, uk car 230.   The oil looks very clean, but I haven't changed it for the past 9 years I have had the car.!  Not sure I could get the oil out to change it?

[FresnoBob]

I too have a 1966 230 SL and was similarly concerned.  I talked to Bruno at Pacific Fuel Injection in South San Francisco and he advised that the oil should be measured by the screw-in dipstick at the rear of the pump (not the red plastic breather cap).  The pump can supposedly be drained by a screw below the knurled adjustment knob (the one that sets idle fuel flow), but I haven't done this yet.  I did top up the oil level when I started my restoration as it was nearly empty. 

[Tom in seattle]

My IP is a 1967 250 SL .  I found that it was gaining oil in the dip stick. It is serviced by the oil pressure system but apparently has its own reserve systems as well.  I shipped it off and a gasket was replaced. Now the level seems constant.    Hope this is useful to know.