changing oil cooler lines
 

two mechanics have told me that to change the oil cooler lines on my 1982 300sd that I have to unbolt the motor from the left mount and jack up the engine to get them out and changed. Some of you have said this is not so. Ever done this job on a 300sd yourself? Did you have to do this? I am short a floor jack to do as they say. While I have it unbolted, assuming I have to or if I let the mechanic do the job, should I go ahead and have him replace the left motor mount since I have never changed them?

NO

You do NOT have to jack up the engine and unbolt the left motor mount! I have personally done this myself, 4 times. :eek:

Although, It would be a bit easier to do it this way, by no means does it HAVE to be done this way.

After you have the oil cooler lines unattached at both ends, you just simply snake them out, try to remember which way they came out, and when you put them back in, go the same way they came out. I had no problems doing this in under an hour. But, Ive gotten good at it.

Read up:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/44947-you-can-replace-oil-cooler-line-without-removing-motor-mount.html?highlight=300D+oil+cooler+line+GregS

Greg

Your way ahead of me there. I have only done it once with a small bottle jack. Certainly, appears to be possible and just have not done it without raising the engine.

If you don't have a jack give it a shot. ;)

( We're not talking about raising the engine more than an inch or so.)

How long do new oil cooler lines last?
 

How many miles do these lines last? How often will they need to be replaced on average?

This would be just a SWAG, but it seems to me the life of the hoses is about 20 years, regardless of mileage. If they're weeping, it's time to change them, if not, just keep an eye on them.

My car has over 320K on the original lines. I agree, it might have something to do with aging. Of course, heat, vibration, corrosion, etc..., all factor in.

When you buy your replacement hoses PLEASE go right to the dealer and get the OEM hoses. The first time I did this job I got aftermarket hoses from a reputable online Mercedes parts house. These weren't no-name hoses, mind you, but stamped with Continental's emblem. Unfortunately, the second day after I installed it the hose burst on me! Thank God I was only making a short trip and noticed the oil all over the place when I parked. I stopped the engine before all the oil pumped out and took the engine out. I then went to the Mercedes dealer and bought the hoses. This was actually stamped with the Mercedes star and had a factor part number on it. No problems with this hose. I think there is a good chance that the factory hose uses rubber from Continental as well, since Continental is a huge German company, but perhaps the factory hose uses a better grade of rubber line than the aftermarket company? Whatever the case, in my experience this is one part I would not trust to the aftermarket. The consequences from a failure are too great.

Greg

GregS is right on this subject. I know a shop that installed new aftermarket hoses on a customers car that blew one the next day, fortunately he stopped the engine before any damage occurred but it had to be towed back. If you examine the type of hose material in the OE cooler hoses you will see its a layered hose and very tough. Aftermarket hoses use smooth rubber hose that feels softer and the crimps are not as good as OE hoses. I think the crimps are what fail with all the snaking that is necessary to lay in the lower hose especially, they get stressed and can then blow out when cold oil hits them under pressure (doesn't cold oil have higher pressure than hot?)

Thanks GregS, for a word to the wise!
Don't risk your engine on a few bucks savings.
Oh, this reminds me I need to order oil cooler hoses for the '83 300D (make that my new years resolution #1) I believe they are original and 220K+ on them!

I wholeheartedly agress with Greg, get the factory hoses. With my 20% discount off factory parts, the cooler lines are about the same price as the Conti aftermarket lines from any of the on-line sources. The factory hose material appears to be of better quality. Its a wrapped style hose, the Conti hose I used was a smooth hose. I used Conti lines on my previous 300D and they started leaking after 35K miles.

Wonder if the local hyd supply joint we use for the semi's stuff at work can make up some in braided stainless?

Tidbitt, Volvo turbo's have factory braided stainless oil cooler lines.. I thought it was pretty swanky of them..

You do not necessarily have to go to a dealer to obtain OE parts.

key notes to be taken from previous posts, make sure you know the path they were installed. Also use mercedes parts, I used a hydrolic shop under 60 to repair both hoses and the rubber hose looked great even over coated with Kevlar brading wow, any way it didn't bend correct and my lack of inspection after installation and lowering the motor down (note did not remove L moter mount)(note removed oil filter housing instead) the fan belt cut through the kevlar and rubber hose part and now I am replacing a severally knocking engine($1100. used motor plus 175shipping and 300-400 labor on install so far!) Also the guy who did it in 1 hour, is speedo/ speedy Gonzalis!!!! I am not a mechanic but I play one on the weekends 8 hours later the hoses were out and in. Good luck my advice go with the expensive mercedes parts that will possibly last another 20 years its cheaper!
Ferg

We all are waiting to find out how? :D

Louis.

Mercedes OE parts at discount
 

Let me tell you - you need to know that you absolutely can get Mercedes OE parts at discount. I ordered a part from Rusty or Tom at 800-741-5252. My part was an interrior trim part. It came all the way from Germany, was shipped to me in a Dailmer-Benz box from Beck Mercedes in Charlotte, NC to my Nashville, NC home. It was absolutely original and heavily discounted cause I checked the price at the dealer first. www.***************