I have a 1980 300SD with a broken air filter mounting bracket (looks like a "T"). The air filter housing rattles all around, usually dislodging itself from the air supply hose as well as the oil return.

What parts are necessary to fix this? Is it available at the Parts Shop? Is it a do it yourself repair for someone with average skill? And if it is, how can I prepare to accomplish it? (someone told me there is one bolt in the engine that is particularly difficult to remove)

Appreciate your help.

Ray

I am assuming that this is the same mounting arrangement as the engines in the 123 models. There should be three rubber mounts that are basically rubber cylinders with a stud at each end. You simply unscrew them from the manifold and screw in three new ones, then mount the air cleaner over them and replace the nuts. You should bend the oil drain tube around to a position where it will line up without putting a heavy sideload on your new mounts. This will make them last a long time. I would also recommend that you inspect the rubber sealing ring that fits to the underside of the air cleaner housing. If it is soft from oil or torn, replace it at the same time. These are important pieces for the health of your engine. If your air cleaner leaks at the base it will suck in dust which is really tough on your top piston rings.

Good luck,

your turbo is also at risk from particulates getting sucked in from strange places. After all, the turbo spins at tens of thousands of revolutions per minute...you don't want to throw anything in its way.
-Larry

If the bracket itself is broken, its not to hard to replace.
You remove the two 13mm bolts to the steel oil line on top of the turbo. Also remove the 10mm bolt that holds the same line to the bracket. Then remove the three 13mm bolts that hold the bracket in place. I use a 10 inch extension with a 13mm swivel socket to get to the bolt going to the engine. I have seen bad engine mounts cause these brackets to brake.
Good luck and have fun!

Well it appears that my assumption that the 123 five cylinder air filter mount was the same was incorrect.

Have a great day,

If your '80 300SD is anything like my '82, I found that the MB dealer charges $100 for the bracket. Part number(s) 617 090 0140 for W126, and 617 090 0340a for W116. I just priced this item from Parts Shop and the quote was $69.

However, there is a guy on eBay who has been selling these for about $34.95, and $8 for the grommets. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=541531270&r=0&t=0.

Or you can get the same item from Euromeister for the same price, $34.94, and an additional $9 for the grommets. You can call them at : 1-800-581-3327. They are in Castro Valley, CA.

But, before you replace this bracket, make sure your motor mounts are good, and that they are tightened down, or you will have wasted money on something that will break again.

DISCLAIMER:

My information is provided for comparison purposes only, and not posted solely to undermine the sales department at Parts Shop. I would like to suggest that we all buy our parts from Parts Shop whenever possible, as they host these forums for free. So, you might email Parts Shop and see if they can price-match on this item.

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

You should ask Parts Shop for a quote. The part no. that longston mentions for the W116 air filter mounting bracket is for "aftermarket".

Parts Shop does not list the aftermarket number, but I am sure they can get it.

The quote for part no. 617 090 03 40 from Parts Shop is $45.00, actually. I would guess that because there is no "a" after the part number that this is a new one from Mercedes Benz.

The Benz Bin lists a new one (617 090 03 40) for $70.55, and an aftermarket(617 090 03 40a) one for $28.71.

The price for one at Megaparts is $21.16.

I would make sure you know if the price is for a new one or an aftermarket one.

Round rubber air cleaner mounts with the stud are around $1.50 each, and I believe there are 3. The part number is:
617 988 01 11




[Edited by patsy on 01-14-2001 at 04:26 PM]

Damn, Patsy, can I email you for a quote the next time I need some parts? I can use all the help I can get.

I actually didn't know the following when I posted my last reply:

1. That the "a" was for "aftermarket"

2. That there was a radical difference in price for the two brackets. Mein quote from der PartsShop was $69. I don't doubt that the W116 is $45 as Patsy says. I ASS-U-ME-D that they were the same.

3.About the Benz Bin, http://www.thebenzbin.com or Megaparts, http://www.megaparts.com. I have added them to my bookmarks, and anyone who hasn't done so already, should too...

Incidentally, Megaparts shows the air cleaner mount for the W126 at: $21.16. But, at The Benz Bin, I could not get their website to show a price or even acknowledge the part number. Patsy, what did I do wrong?

I am ashamed of myself. I did not do all of my homework, and I will now go and put on my sackcloth and sprinkle the appropriate ashes (or soot for diesel...). I apologize and promise to get it right next time.

But, Patsy, you mention the "Round rubber air cleaner mounts with the stud are around $1.50 each, and I believe there are 3. The part number is: 617 988 01 11."

Yes, there are three! But, is the part number the same for the W116 AND the W126? And, where are they "around $1.50 each"?

Those who are ethically troubled by this should please see the disclaimer in my prevoius post...

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

Longston,
I should not have been so hard on you (ha ha ha ha). Just kidding, but seriously folks, since I have been assigned to deep left field, when in reality I played third base, talked too much to the short stop, and was knocked out by a line drive. We're talking grade school here. I feel the need to shine brightly.

Does anyone else ever get a severe case of the giggles when they read these posts? Sometimes my eyes water, I guess I should confess on the 911 thread. Yes I am addicted.

At the Benz Bin enter the words under "basic description", like "air cleaner", then under category enter your model. The results should be all parts for your car. If you use the "search by part no." option, you do not need to enter your model, but you have to use dashes.

They list the same 617 090 03 40 for the W126 model.

They do have a confusing site.

The "a", according to Benzbin is alternate brand, but aftermarket is what I always think they really mean.

I know the Parts shop here will get whatever level of quality is required by the interested party.

Let's keep it light, keep it real, and have fun with it people! Ze, "knocked out by a line drive" zpeakz volumbes to me...

Patsy (you giggling fool...), thanks, but, what about the mounts?

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

The mounts are the same for your '81-85 300SD. Part number: 617-988-01-11. The Benz Bin lists them for $1.50, the Parts shop is close. The secret is when to use dashes, and when to use spaces, and when to clump it all together.