Greetings,

I can't seem to get my big fuel filter bolt to stop leaking. I've read through the archives on the subject - Ive tried a new copper washer and Ive tried annealing that copper washer.

What else can I try?

I originally had two aluminum washers on there and they didn't leak. Anyone know where to get these? I have seen them on junkyard cars as well.

Thanks - Im running bio soon so I dont want to dissolve all the rubber parts underneath :-)

dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

There are 1 or 2 o-rings (depending on the year) on the filter bolt shaft. Replacing those will usually stop the leaks.

Also, I have seen a few reports lately about filters from one of the big-box auto parts stores being the wrong size. I don't remember what brand though.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

A new aluminium washer will fix the leak. I believe it is 24/21mm OD/ID.

Autozone has them.

Mine has no washer; when it leaked I picked an "O" ring that was close to the origional size from an "O" ring assorement that I got from Harbor Freight years ago. No more leak.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I'm having the same problem and this is the first time it has appeared. I did get a new batch of filters. The leak is only enough to make the top of the filter damp with diesel - not enough to drip to the ground.

How tight should the large nut be tightened? I could torque mine some more but I can see that might make the leak worse if I begin to distort the filter. Do you use a torque setting or just by feel?

Charles

This pops up every now and again. Not all engines have that washer, it is 18mm x 21mm x 1.5mm. One time use.
That bolt should be tightened, no torque values. Similar to an oil filter on a gasser, snug it up, that's all.

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83 SD

84 CD

Because somebody didn't put one back on.

not the case.

I have seen the exploded diagrams at the dealer. On my 1985 300d there is no (nor is there supposed to be) washer & 2 o-rings. you either have 1 o-ring and a copper washer or 2 o-rings and no copper washer

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1996 E300 110,000
1985 300TD 212,000
1980 300D 238,000

I've heard that if that bolt is over-torqued, the filter bolt and/or filter holder will distort and always leak. In that case you must replace them; start with new hollow bolt, and if that doesn't fix it get a "new" filter holder from junk yard.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Thank you for the replies.

I will give the washers a try as recommended by forced.

I have been through the parts diagram - they are really confusing and misleading on this assembly. There are two versions of this filter housing and bolt setup. They switched sometime in 1982 I think (mine is the first version). Version #1 does not have any rubber rings, Version #2 does. The only o-ring in my set up is around the bolt itself.

I am hoping the Al rings fix it and I don't have to get a new housing from a yard. I also have considered resurfacing the filter housing gasket surface.

dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Mine has the rubber rings and the only way I can stop mine from leaking is to use the Al washer.

Is the washer betwwen the bolt and the exterior of the holder or between the holder and the filter? Mine never had one and just started leaking.

My 85 300D has 2 O-Rings on the bolt, they are 2 different sizes. there is no Aluminium or Copper washer between the bolt and filter housing.

I ordered some stuff form Phill, and with the order ordered O-Rings. there is only one size listed, and it it the smaller one of the two.
I found if the top of the filter is wet, it is the larger upper O-Ring that is the culpert.

Don`t know what year they changed from washers to O-Rings.

Charlie ☺

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

That one. Between the bolt and the housing.

My '82 616, 240D, had that washer, the other four 617's I've owned, all turbos, did not.
One each '82, '83, '84, and '85.

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83 SD

84 CD