OIL FILTER
 

As a female, I take pride in changing the oil on a regular basis of my 90 - 300E. I have now bought a 98 -E320 and need to change it. Purchased the oil filter which goes into a canister and not sure how to get it open and what are all the gaskets are for. Could use a little overview and does it really take 8 qts of oil?

Welcome -

To use the FSS system built into you cars computer you need a fleece media filter (hopefully that's what you got) and 8-9 quarts of a MB Spec 229.3 or 229.5 synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 0w-40 European Car Formula.

Many people get a syphon pump such as a Mity vac and suck the oil out from the top so no need to jack up the car. But the old way works too. From the bottom you need the seal that goes under the drain plug.

When you unscrew the filter housing you'll see it has a long shaft. There are 4 o-rings from big to small to replace, The filter should have an ink mark about 1" from each end. That is to make sure you push it all the way up into the housing, If you can see the ink mark, keep pushing.

The FSS monitors your driving habits such as short trips and also oil quality and let's know you when the next change is. If you don't drive a lot (<10K per year) then change once a year. If you drive a lot, maximum can be up to 20,000 miles.

FSS system and now to reset it after oil change is in the manual. Also. oil change is only part of the Schedule A or B service requirement.

Good luck.

And how does being Y-chromosome challenged relate to changing oil?

A couple more things: The filter wrench you use for your 300E should fit the filter housing for the E320. Also, the filter is removed and installed on the housing assembly by pulling it straight off and pushing it straight on---do not twist! Mark

Here's a picture of my oil cap wrench that fits my vehicle, and it should fit your vehicle. Ideally, it should be a 74 mm wrench, but all I could find was a 76 mm. Otherwise it must be a 14-flute. It cost me $3.

phillipj, recommend buying the proper filter canister 'socket' from your local MB dealer. As mentioned the O-rings replace the old ones on the shaft. Use a pick to remove the old ones, then lubricate the new ones with some oil to make installation easier.

A suction device makes oil changes much simpler because there is no need to get under the vehicle. Griot's Garage sells a quality Liquid/Oil Extractor which I have been using for the past 12 years to change oil in our MB automobiles.

Despite the FSS I still change oil (Mobil 1) and filter every 7,500 miles.

If you're going to buy a wrench for the oil filter housing, get the right one. Dealer might have one but not at $17! Here is one example -

http://www.toolsource.com/filter-socket-wrench-745mm-flats-p-96484.html

You can also use a 'strap' style universal from the auto parts store. But you won't be able to use a torque wrench. If that matters to you.

Good luck.

Which as correctly mentioned is the SAME one used on the M103 engine in the 1990 300E.

What is removed is the (black plastic) CAP from the HOUSING and NOT the housing.

8.5 quarts of oil will bring it up to within a hair of the full-mark on the oil dipstick.

I bought the special-large size MM ratchet attachment from a MB dealer - probably paid way too much for it.

On gaskets? Which ones are you talking about??

It's VERY common to call o-rings gaskets--

Starting with the source name a beginner uses, and work your way in to solve nomanclatures. Don't confuse the poster by calling something an O ring, when they wouldn't know what that is either. -

Is there a similar tool available at a reasonable price for my 2004 E320 V6???

L

If your going to the trouble to change your own oil, please spent the extra time and get under your vehicle and have a good look around for leaks and other potential problems, especially with a 12 year old vehicle. Don't waste your money on one of those extractors. This is how I found that my spring perch was failing.

I also ignore the FSS and change my oil (Mobil 1 0W-40) every 6K miles which is when I switch my summer/winter tires.

It is the same one. You have the same 112 engine as W210's.

It's good to mention that what we should be discussing is a Schedule A or B service not an oil change. An oil change is just one part and a thorough inspection including brakes is just as important.