The Official "Oil Line Replacement is a Gin-yoo-wine PITA" Thread

[R Leo]

Chime in here if you think so...

[tangofox007]

Sorry, I did not find it to be difficult at all. Given all the gloom and doom that I had read here, I was prepared for a lot worse.
It might have been a lot different if my cooler fittings had been corroded, but they were not a problem.

[R Leo]

In all honesty, the lines were actually fairly easy. But, I'm having one helluva time threading the small allen head screws that hold the motormount to the frame. I quit for the night...

It was very simple for me. I did them with the engine out of the car on a stand.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

It was very simple for me. I did them with the engine out of the car on a stand.

Now that is just cheating.

I didn't have too much trouble with them on my SD, but couldn't get them off on my dad's....so still haven't done them yet. (that was 1.5 years ago. ) We figured out they are still ok....Oh, and I stripped the mount to engine allen bolt on the passenger side too....

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by R Leo

But, I'm having one helluva time threading the small allen head screws that hold the motormount to the frame.

I didn't touch those screws. I just removed the large bolt from underneath. I just left the mount itself bolted to the frame.

[Cervan]

it was very easy for me, i just loosened the motor mounts, jacked up the engine and there ya go plenty of room.

[running-snail]

I loosened the mounts, jacked the engine - removed the line ok but had a heck of a time getting the new line back in. One end first, then the other. From the top, from the bottom - my blood pressure was rising as I spent more and more time when suddenly it went into position. All told, probably a 1/2 hr. trying to find the magic installation process.

Don't want to repeat the experience. Maybe have someone taking a home movie when pulling the old line out?

[ImBroke]

Originally Posted by running-snail

I loosened the mounts, jacked the engine - removed the line ok but had a heck of a time getting the new line back in. One end first, then the other. From the top, from the bottom - my blood pressure was rising as I spent more and more time when suddenly it went into position. All told, probably a 1/2 hr. trying to find the magic installation process.

Don't want to repeat the experience. Maybe have someone taking a home movie when pulling the old line out?

That's how mine went in. All the time, I was thinking: I just took these out, how come they won't go back in??
Having them is better than the alternative.

[funola]

Originally Posted by R Leo

Chime in here if you think so...

What year/model is yours? I did mine, 83 300D turbo with A/C a few months ago and I have to say it is the biggest PITA job I have ever done. I have never cursed so much! Locking the oil cooler lines under the motor mount is either a practical joke or a blatantly stupid design blunder. If I have to do that job again, I will use the hose ends (which I saved) and get custom crimped stainless braided hoses made and route them outside the motor mount. I would cut the old lines off in multiple pieces to make removal easier.

[dalek]

Dumb question. Which oil line are we talking about?

[funola]

Originally Posted by Cervan

it was very easy for me, i just loosened the motor mounts, jacked up the engine and there ya go plenty of room.

This is your 240D? A 240D is much much easier.

[JimmyL]

Hey Randy,
Marlene, Sybil or your wife's ride?? {name escaping me right now}

[R Leo]

Marlene, Sybil or your wife's ride?? {name escaping me right now}

It's the wagon, Marlene (83 300TD) but, any turbo'd 617 in a 123 chassis should be about the same...
I don't care what the others say, I don't see how it's possible to get enough clearance to remove the oil line by simply removing the big mount bolt and raising the engine. I had to take out the big mount bolt, the mount and the engine shock on the left side and remove the big mount bolt and loosen the bottom of the engine shock on the right side, then raise the engine about 2" to get the clearance I needed.

But, in my defense, I was planning to replace the mounts anyway.

BTW, wife's ride these days is Sybil, the 300SDL. Her other ride, Lilly, is on assignment, providing transportation for my daughter while I work up the nerve to do the front subframe bushings on the 115.

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by dalek

Dumb question. Which oil line are we talking about?

No dumb questions here. The oil lines in question are those that run from the filter housing to the oil cooler on 123 chassis cars.