I took off my air cleaner and spent about an hour cleaning it and the lid of grease, and cleaning out my K&N filter, all for the purpose of replacing one of the rubber mounts that holds the air filter. I noticed when I removed the air cleaner that the metal downpipe (I call it a downpipe, but it's the pipe that leads up into the air cleaner from below it) was very loose. I can rock it back and forth a couple of inches.

I was wondering if there was supposed to be a bracket that holds that tube firmly in place, or if it should be slightly loose. And is a couple inches of 'play' about right for this pipe, or too loose?

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theres definitely a bracket that holds that pipe in place. on my N/A 300D its just behind the alternator

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

i think there is a bracket but not 100%. On 2 om617's i have worked on it was loose so i stretched it out slightly so it was nicely wedged between the oil pan and filter housing and wouldn't fall off the barb on the filter housing.

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83 300CD- sanden, dual p/f condensers, 160a alternator, ect
91 300TD- 722.6, #22 head, 3.5L IP, w140 manifolds, ect

I found out that it is the oil return tube, from the air cleaner back into the oil pan, p/n is 6171800322. When I look at the diagram here:



It shows there is a clamp, which attaches to the 'support'. What is the support? Here is a breakdown of the items on that list:

SEAL RING.
$28.50 0000941660
170 OIL LINE.
Required: 001
FROM MUFFLER FILTER TO OIL PAN
More Details...
$107.00 6171800322

176 CLAMP.
Required: 001
OIL RETURN LINE TO SUPPORT $4.40 1279950401

173 SEAL RING.
Required: 001
OIL SEPARATOR
More Details...
0069972645


179 HEXAGON HEAD BOLT. SCREW.
Required: 001
OIL RETURN LINE TO SUPPORT
More Details...
304017006016


179 SCREW.
000933006183


182 HEX. NUT. NUT.
Required: 001
OIL RETURN LINE TO SUPPORT

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On my 300SD, there is a bracket that goes from the exhaust manifold to the block, IIRC. that clamp is bolted to a hole in that bracket (support). If you follow the tube down from the air cleaner, as it gets horizontal, you'll see the hole for the clamp bolt. its the only thing you could possibly bolt it to.

this.


also, using new o-rings on each end will help a ton keeping it still, and tightly sealed.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! 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!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!