Thanks for the replies guys   I never thought of the sending unit.     I
was thinking my leak had greatly multiplied in size, or oil pump
failure,  I will check that possibility also.     Regular oil, and
filter changes have been performed every 3,000 miles .       Is there a
good way to    desludge an oil pan ....just in case ?.....      The car
really needs a good 600 mile high speed road trip.    Thanks
again....Rick

That just reminded me, I have a 1993 190e 2.3 and it uses about a quart of
oil every 1000 miles or so. I can't find a leak and the oil and AF are
clean. No smoke to speak of.

But the big problem with the motor is a knock.
I can't tell where it is coming from. It does it all the time, more so on
startup and when it's cold. And it get's quieter under load and is louder at
idle or coasting.

To me it sounds like a rod knocking, but the MB mechanic said that the
bottom ends never go out of these. And if it was a rod, it would have thrown
it by now, it's been doing it for a few thousand miles now.

What else could it be ? Wrist pin bushing? Bearing? Sounds to low and far
back to be a lifter of timing chain tensioner.

Any thoughts?
Oil Pressure and compression are good btw.

Thanks