Hello,

I did a diesel purge today. That went great. Then I changed the inline filter. No issues.

Then I tried to take off the spin on filter. It loosened up at first but then to get it off was a pita. It kept spinning as I tried to loosen and remove.

Now I've put it back on and it will not tighten. Furthermore, I've tightened it so much that I can't loosen it. It just keeps spinning.

Also, how can I tell if the primer pump is working? I don't see diesel moving in the inline filter. However, with the spin on filter not fully tightened down, maybe air is getting into the system making the priming worthless?

Any help appreciated.

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1990 420 SEL 202,500 Miles
1984 300 SD 375,500 Miles

You do know that it's not a "spin-on" filter?

There is a threaded screw that engages a female thread in the filter. You simply force the filter into the seat on its gasket and tighten the bolt. If you overtighten the bolt, you strip the threads on the filter since they're tapped into sheet metal.

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Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt ----- Mark Twain

What Brian said. You need to either use a wrench or socket on the top bolt of the filter housing. That will stop the filter from "just spinning". I forget the size, perhaps 17 or 19mm?

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2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 Chevrolet 2500 6.5 Suburban
1979 300TD

Past Mercedes
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

24 mm I think. That's the thing...I know it's not spin on and so I tightened it with the wrench. Even though it is not "tight" (ie it keeps spinning) it almost feels like Ive stripped the threads. I can't get the filter to stop turning as I turn the wrench. Will have to get a helper to hold the filter in place when the torque is applied. I hope it comes lose. Still can't figure out why it didnt seat and tighten properly

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1990 420 SEL 202,500 Miles
1984 300 SD 375,500 Miles

If there was an air gap at the secondary filter I assume that the priming would be a useless exercise?

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1990 420 SEL 202,500 Miles
1984 300 SD 375,500 Miles

It almost seems like there should be another o-ring or something to secure it...But in looking at old posts I have the 02 on the top of the canister so the bolt should be right...

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1990 420 SEL 202,500 Miles
1984 300 SD 375,500 Miles

It almost seems as though you used the wrong filter...........maybe from the 420?

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Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt ----- Mark Twain

Perhaps you're over thinking. I always crack the bolt loose with whatever wrench fits. Then spin the filter to remove. Installation is reverse. Once the filter seats, I snug it up a little by turning the bolt. Threads are right handed. (A large enough Crescent wrench resides in the trunk with other tools to replace filters.)

I don't remember off hand what the seal arrangement is. Possibly copper washer on the bolt between the bolt head and filter housing and perhaps rubber o-ring around the top of the filter. None have ever resulted in problems.

The good news is that if you destroy threads, filters are cheap and bolts are readily available in the yards.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting. Looking for all 3 grey seats to go in my SD (anything from a 126).

Finally the filter broke free and I took it off for a closer look. The bolt is only spinning down about 4/5 of the distance before it will not thread any further. It must be that somebody cross-threaded it in the past. Last time they muscled it on. Not going to do that this time. Will have to order a new bolt for the filter. For a second there I thought I got the wrong filter too. But it is the right one.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Hopefully the priming will go more smoothly when I can be sure that the spin on filter is secured and not letting air into the system.

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1990 420 SEL 202,500 Miles
1984 300 SD 375,500 Miles

both style filter bases use o-rings to seal the fuel.
the 01 uses a single o-ring, and the 02 uses 2 o-rings to seal both the fuel in the filter, and the fuel from leaking around the bolt.

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John ongoing strip party!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!
84 240D 5speed & 84 300 4Speed
67 rs Camaro, Dodge Pickup, parts cars 78 300D, & 93D(no doors?),85 SD, 83 SD, 85 300D, 85Euro 300TD, 87 300TD, 95E320 T
Daily Drivers 82 SD, 87 300TD, 87300TD!!!!,

Thanks vstech. Mine's got the two o-rings. I thought maybe there was a third seal that was missing causing the tightening distance to be off.

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1990 420 SEL 202,500 Miles
1984 300 SD 375,500 Miles

Your filter head with the #02 second 2 #`s from the end, use the 2 "O" rings on the bolt and no metal washer under the head of the bolt. the only other seal is the rubber seal on the filter.
The 2 "O" rings do need to be replaced periodically.

Fill the filter with fuel, Diesel Purge or ATF, screw it on the bolt, then tighten the bolt with a 24mm socket and ratchet. doesn`t need to be extremely tight, just snug it down.

Good to hear you finally got it off. I would think the bolt would be a harder steel than the filter, and would not strip it threads. but anything is possible with many prior DIY selfers and strong arm mechanics.

Charlie

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Remember the couple that broke into the White house?
http://www.ourlighterside.com/stuff/couple-sneaked-wh/



there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! (this engine was installed only in 240D w/automatic transmissions)

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

85 300D 360K
84 300SD 270k
82 Datsun Kingcab Diesel 474k
80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 3:58 Diff. 150mph spedo 352k
78 240D