Help! oil filter removal 606 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

NY300SD · #1 10-13-2008, 10:17 AM

Hi,

I'm doing my first ever oil change. (About time!) Anyway, I can't remove the filter lid. What's the trick? Am I supposed to remove the center bolt at well? It's on there pretty tight, I was afraid I'd break something. I did some searches but could not find specific instructions for the 606.

Thanks!

Sorry, I was a bit unclear. The lid comes off, but I can't completely remove it because the center tube and the firewall don't leave enough room to wiggle it out.

bobodaclown · #2 10-13-2008, 10:30 AM

Hmmm.. Thats crazy. Is your hood also in the way. You know if you stand it straight up it gives a lot more room to maneuver.
Got a picture?
Bob

F18 · #3 10-13-2008, 10:37 AM

Are you trying to remove the lid with the filter element attached? Try strpping the filter off the tube and leaving it temporarily in the housing, that may give you more wiggle room to tilt the lid with mount and pull it out. Then fish the filter out afterward. Do the reverse for the new filter element....put it in first.

Hope that helps

NY300SD · #4 10-13-2008, 10:45 AM

Seems odd to me that it is so hard to get out. I could try forcing it a bit more. Filter is staying down. I tried to lift it with lid once and the little handle broke right off.

Just to be clear, am I not supposed to remove the center nut/bolt? I tried a couple times to get it off, but it's really on there.

Thanks

Matt L · #5 10-13-2008, 10:56 AM

There is no "center bolt" on mine, but there is a plastic shaft that attaches to the bottom of the lid and goes through the filter element. Little handle? This is sounding less and less like my 606.

Please attach a picture.

KarTek · #6 10-13-2008, 10:57 AM

Your early OM606 may be a little different than ours. My car has a plastic domed cover with a large hex molded into it. I usually just grab the hex part with a pair of channel locks and it spins off with no problem.

I'd have to see a shot of your to give a better answer.

You are working with the oil filter in the back of the engine not the fuel filter in front right? No insult intended...

F18 · #7 10-13-2008, 11:02 AM

May be someone with more experience with your particular year model can chime in.
Center bolt?..... All the oil filter housings prior to 96 that I am familier with had a cast lid with the lid held down with two nuts on the peremeter (the two studs were facing straight up out of the housing body).
96 and later models went to a large black polymer lid that was threaded and screwed/twisted on/off and has a large bolt style faux nut molded in the middle to use an adjustable wrench or very large socket to assist in tightening. Both lids used a large "O" ring for a seal. I'm confused!

NY300SD · #8 10-13-2008, 11:14 AM

Never posted a pic before, hope it works. All I have is a crappy cell phone camera right now. The center nut I am talking about looks like it is holding that tube that goes thought the center of the filter.

I tried forcing the lid out but no go...

F18 · #9 10-13-2008, 11:24 AM

It looks as though the center bolt holds the filter wand in place and would need to be removed so the lid can be removed without the filter and wand attached in that tight spot. To be honest I have never seen a lid like that!
I wonder how the center bolt and wand are sealed?

curlytom · #10 10-13-2008, 11:36 AM

The center nut is part of the 12" tube that runs through the middle of your oil filter. Make sure it is fully unthreaded and slide it out...if it hasn't been removed in a while, it may take some wiggling - but it will slide out. You will not break anything (unless you don't unscrew the threaded part first)
Check the condition of the two O rings on the bottom of tube, chances are they're not as soft and pliable as they should be.

NY300SD · #11 10-13-2008, 11:48 AM

Thanks Curlytom, much more clear now. I have to get that center nut unthreaded and slide out the tube/wand. It is super tight, I don't know if I have the right tools...

Chris W. · #12 10-13-2008, 12:23 PM

Yes, yes, yes. Take that center bolt out. It's not a bolt, but a long tube, threaded on the end. It should have a copper crush washer under the head of it. If it's on there tight, some ham fisted turkey put it on there. (you can use the old oil pan crush washer under there every time you change the oil)

This "bolt" does virtually nothing to hold the lid of the filter cannister down, so there is no reason it needs to be very tight.

Once you get that out the cannister lid will lift off, and you'll be looking at the filter cartridge. Most have a wire bail on top to flip up so you can pull it out. Have something handy to catch the drips from the filter as you lift it out.

Have a look down in the cannister with a very bright light (after you take the filter out) to make sure there are not any rubber pieces from old filters down there. I found one in mine after I bought the car.

Rgds,
Chris W.
95 E300D, 273K, many oil changes

NY300SD · #13 10-13-2008, 01:01 PM

Thanks everybody for your help. I did manage to get the center tube out after some WD-40 and a busted knuckle. (Ham-fisted turkey indeed!) Everything became clear to me after that. It was way too long to ever allow the cap to come off with it. One of the washers with the filter fit perfectly.

Didn't see Chris W's post soon enough to get a good look down there.

I don't have replacement o-rings for the tube/wand, will have to look that up for next time.

Thanks again everybody!