I best my last thread to death on better fuel filters and now I would like some input on better oil filters for these 123 diesels. Kent at MS likes the polyester filters but they aren't available for the pre 1986 models and we have the pleated paper units which are adequate of course but I have used by pass oil filters from Amsoil, Lubrifiner and motoguard in the past because these conventional full flow filters are in the range of 15 micron and the low flow by pass filters from Amsoil are 2 micron. Getting micron data from other manufacturers like baldwin seems tough and I see numbers in the forums of 18 to 2 microns on their by pass units.. I like the Amsoil by pass units but they are stupidly expensive with just the filterbases alone over $60 and the filters are over$50, There are also other companies like FS which have units that look pretty nice but very pricey. I have tapped the aluminum tops of the 123 filters for the oil supply input in the past and tapped the valve covers for the return but I would like to have filters that not only remove small metallic contaminants but all the carbon soot. I do change the oil from 3000 to 5000 miles at most and maybe this is just neurotic OCD blathering but I just replaced a turbo whose bearingas like clean cool oil so I am fishing for ideas. Independent studies would be the best but I haven't seen them.

yes

I use Mann filters. I feel it’s the best bang for the buck

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1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero

Here is some older bypass oil filter info.

It is easy to drill and tap the Oil Filter Cap. The long tube on the filter cap is just press fitted into the Cap. That allows you to drill in the center of the cap from the inside or drill someplace else on the cap and avoid the casting webs.

The part that needs more thought is where to put the oil return line from the bypass Oil Filter.

There is bolt on the front side of the Engine that appears to be there to keep the Timing Chain from hitting the block or to keep the Chain from coming off of the Timer Gear. I don't know if either are true. However, I got a bolt of the same size and put it in My Lathe and drilled it through and put a fitting on the end for the oil return hose.

Later I realized if you have an MW Fuel Injection Pump there is a plug on the left top side which can be removed and you could put some fitting there to drain the oil from the bypass filter into.

Can't quite remember what is in the threads.

Bypass Oil Filter Setup, 617.952 Diesel911
Bypass Oil Filter Setup, 617.952 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

My Bypass Oil Filter Thread
Bypass Oil Filter Setup, 617.952 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ForceInductions Bypass Oil filter, My 2nd Bypass oil Filter, and Oil Filter Adapter plate
By-pass oil filter install - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

I fooled around with 3 bypass oil filters. The last one was a Frantz Toilet Paper one. That is the one I had on the longest. However, about 5 years a go I took it off to change the Hoses and I never got around to replacing it or in fact got the new hoses for it.

If I remember correctly in the Forcedinduction thread he bought a generic base and used the Amsoil Filter. Another member used an NTZ Bypass Oil filter.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

X200


If you're changing the oil on a regular schedule, just keep doing that. Any difference in longevity of the engine (if even measurable) will be grossly offset by the extra time/money/BS you spent on a bypass oil system that is absolutely unnecessary.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

The research and evidence shows the benefit of bypass oil filtration when the bypass filter is down to like the 2-5 micron level. I have not read of anyone refuting the evidence.

Also say after your initial setup you pay say $35 for an Amsoil filter. You don't. You don't need to change it with every Oil Change. When the Engine Oil is nice and hot you simply feel the Oil Return Hose on the bypass system and if it is cool to the touch you know the filter needs changing.

Personally I don't have the funds to have Oil analysis's done to prove a point and to know how many miles you can get before you absolutely need an oil change. I would rather use the money to just change the oil.

People that have fleets of vehicles reap a good benefit from not have to change the Oil as frequently. They are not paying for the new Oil and they are not paying the Mechanic to change the oil and they are not having to dispose of the used Oil; all of those not as often. It saves them money and as a bonus they get less wear on the Engine.

Personally I had no thought about installing a bypass oil filter system. But, in my case I had already drilled out my Oil Filer Cap for a fitting to install a test gauge and at one time I had a low oil pressure alarm (stopped working and never fixed it). So for me all I really needed to do was find some place for the Oil to return.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Show me published, peer-reviewed evidence that a bypass oil filtering system has any meaningful or significant effect on the life expectancy of a turbo OM617 or OM603 engine compared to just using a quality oil and changing on a 3-5K mile interval. I don't care about fleet vehicles, I don't care about long-haul truckers, I don't care about PowerStrokes or DuraMax engines, I want to know about these old Mercedes diesels. I'll even accept data from something like a VW TDI since it's a similar application.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

What makes a OM 617.957 any different then any other Gasoline or Diesel Engines regarding wear causing particles in the Oil and in particular other Diesel Engines?

Of course you can believe as you like.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Well, for one, Gasoline engines produce a TINY fraction of the carbon that diesel engines produce, any other "wear particles" that are big enough to do any real damage are caught by the oil filter, the rest come out with the oil when changed by a responsible owner.

Other diesel engines have very different uses than the small passenger car diesels like the 61x and 60x engines (and the VW engines I brought up). Typically they're high speed, low stress, low output engines used in passenger cars. Very different usage and stress levels to something like a Peterbilt, Detroit, or International heavy diesel engine, and even more different compared to the modern CDI engines or a PowerStroke with its HEUI setup. The quantity of oil in the sump also matters, it's $30-40 to change the oil in one of these cars, it isn't the 14+ quarts in a PowerStroke... So yes, I think asking for data on these engines (or at least something close to them) to support your claim is a valid request.

This is good advice for all parties involved. Furthermore, if you find something published on the Internet by an "Armchair Expert", do your own research before you drink the Kool-Aid and take it as gospel.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Name calling does not work with me.

When I was a Kid back in the 1950's there was still gasoline engines that did not have full flow oil filtration. They only had bypass oil filtration.

As I said all are welcome to believe as they wish.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

No one has to take my advice and I encourage people to do their own research on what ever advice people give no matter who the advice comes from.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I did not call you anything. I referred to you drinking the "Kool-Aid" of something you read online.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Sounds like a stereotype name to me.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Saying someone is of does something sounds like a stereotype name to me.

In order for that sort of thing to have any effect I would have to care about what the other person thinks of me. Those who's opinion I care about are my Wife and my Father. After that zero.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I did not call you anything. I said you're listening to the Internet's "Armchair Experts" and drinking their Kool-Aid. Go back up and read my original statement that you misread and took personally.

Get off your high horse and quit reading into things that aren't there, this is not the first time this has happened with you on this forum. In this case, I asked you for some data to back up your claim since you said nobody ever questions it. So far you haven't provided any, but you did the thread into a whine-fest about being called a name when you weren't.

For what it's worth, I don't care about your opinion either. Until you provide facts to back yourself up, it's exactly that - an opinion. Perhaps if your attitude didn't suck and you had something useful to contribute I'd value your opinion, but until then...

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)