102/103 spin-on oil filter
 

This might be a grenade in the outhouse hole, but a friend bought a 93 190E 2.3. He went to change the oil and proceeded to give me an ear full afterwards about how such a brilliant manufacture of automobiles could design such a crappy spin on oil filter set up. He couldn't believe what a mess it made when you removed the old oil filter.

Soooo, my question to him was, "did you poke a hole in the top of the filter and let it drain back to the crankcase before you unscrewed it?

Answer, ah, no. duh.

So, I thought that would have been obvious to most, but it wasn't after I took a crude survey of 102/103 operators I know.

Alright, throw mr Ego aside lay it out there, how many of you 102/103 oil changers out there drive a screwdriver through the top of the oil filter and drain it first for a dripless change? Or how many of you out there didn't realize that an air hole in top of the filter was no different the a 600 series diesel when you pull the cartridge housing cover or pull the center bold and let the oil run back to the pan?"

Belly up and let's go, I gotta know!:behead:

i put some newspaper down on the drive.... unscrew it a bit...

some inevitably gets on the newspaper.

I suck the engine oil from the top.

I guess I just deal with it...

I admit the first time i did the oil in my 190e 2.6 I made the typical oil mess. After that I figured out the screwdriver trick, the hole let the oil drain. Now the car is gone and I get to deal with the old style paper cartridge filter in my 16v. Old school fun!

Hey, when I first read this post I thought it was a good idea (why didn't I think of that) but now I'm not so sure.

I vac old oil out first, place cardboard under area, slowly unscrew old filter. Usually only a very small amount drips onto cardboard.

I think there is a spring loaded valve in the filter that keeps most of the oil from draining back to the engine so I'm not sure how effective poking a hole in it would be. Must try it to be sure I guess.

Acky

I unscrew the oil filter about a half a turn, enough to break the seal and let some air in, and then let the filter drain while the oil drains out of the crankcase at the same time. Pretty easy.

There's a difference between cheapo Pep Boys filter and OE quality filters as regards the mess made.

Always a WorldPac online purchase, Mann, Mahle, Bosch or Hengst.