What's with the hose (coolant?) behind the oil filter casing? Putting the cap back on was a bear. Really had to press on that hose to replace the cap. Should I have loosened the radiator cap to let off some pressure? Do you remove this hose prior to the oil change?

How about the O ring. Do you use some sealant on it to help it stay in place while replacing the cap?

This is our first DIY oil change on the '82. I have mine done at a local shop, but my son wanted to save a couple of bucks. He used Rotella and a new filter.

Any info appreciated.

Regards,

Joe

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www.jerseyplanning.com
1987 300TD 440K - My car
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 107K - Tim's car
2000 - CLK320 100K - Deb's car
1994 C230 150K - Josh's Car

For my part I just deform that coolant hose as much as is necessary to get the oil filter cover off and back on.

As far as the O-ring, it is usually a loose fit for me on the oil filter cover. So, to keep it from dropping down and getting mashed somehow, I hold it up with the tips of my fingers as the cover is seated to the oil filter cannister.

At some point you should replace those tiny little O-rings on the oil filter cover stem that extends down through the oil filter. They get really brittle with age and don't seal well. They are supposed to hold oil in place in the filter.

Also, you will notice that the stem is hollow. It should be blown out with an air gun every few oil changes to make sure it doesn't fill up with sludge. If memory serves, there is a check valve in the 616/7 engines, so you should blow it from "top" to "bottom". At the top you'll see a tiny hole in the side of the stem, and of course at the bottom the stem is hollow / open.

Hope this helps.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

i can't really add much to ken's extensive reply other than maybe be careful that the new filter canister is aligned in the oil filter housing when you replace the cover. sometimes they can sort of go off to one side a bit. i lube the new o-ring with fresh oil before replacing the cover.
it is definitely not necessary to remove that coolant hose.

oh, you may save more than a few dollars by changing your own oil as you can drive for another 3000mi with the confidence knowing it was done correctly!

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

Joe,

I always grease the O-ring with high temperature assembly grease (I use a product from Redline Oil Company, www.redlineoil.com) or any similar product from AutoZone or Pep Boys. The last I bought was for assembling brakes. It is green like the stuff in the pouch you get when you buy pads from the MB dealer.

O-rings get exercised by pressure variations and greasing the surfaces of the groove and mating surface, as well as the O-ring itself prevents the movement of the O-ring from adversely affecting the rubber surface. Some O-rings (especially Viton compounds) have very high surface or skin friction that results in tearing of the skin and leaking as the O-ring reponds to pressure changes. I find the assembly grease helps keep the O-ring in place, and, in other cases, helps prevent damage during installation (like when the O-ring has to slip over threaded areas or gets stretched over a shoulder that may not be really smooth).

As for the hose, on my cars the hose is in the way, but it is soft enough to push around to get the cap off and back on without a lot of struggling. I think you will get used to it and find you can just manhandle it. Afterwards this will not continue to be a problem unless your is off location (maybe it was replaced with something that is not a standard part).

Good luck and enjoy the car. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I've never had a problem with the O-ring for the cover. They (the O-rings in the Hecht filter kit) always seem to fit snugly enough to stay in place.

The heater hose that you are referring to can be in the way, but I repositioned mine so that it is against the filter, below the lid. So far, it does not appear to be chafing, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Good comments about checking the small O-rings on the center pipe and occasionally clearing the tube. The BIG thing to remember is to open the filter housing by pulling the cover just BEFORE you pull the pan drain plug. This allows the old oil in the housing to go out with the drain oil. On many other cars this is not critical, but on this M-B design it is a must.

Cheers,
Wes