Help, how to change fuel filter in '99 E300 Turbodiesel!?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LightMan · #1 08-20-2002, 10:11 PM

I have the replacement fuel filter, just don't know the procedure for taking apart the current setup and replacing it with the new filter. Any help or pics would be greatly appreciated.

1999 E300 Turbodiesel

Gilly · #2 08-20-2002, 10:59 PM

On top of the housing the filter attaches to there is a bolt. The bolt is loosened, then grab the filter and remove the bolt, otherwise the filter will just spin. Take the filter out, keeping it upright. Find a container to pour the old fuel into. On the bolt there are a few seals which normally come with the new filter, replace those. Fill the new filter up with clean diesel fuel and reinstall it just like removing the old one.

On top of this housing there is also a fuel pre-filter which needs replacement too. it's pretty easy to do. One word of warning is there is an o-ring on the pre-filter which doesn't come with the new pre-filter that I have seen yet, so be sure to order the o-ring for the pre-filter as well.

Gilly

LightMan · #3 08-21-2002, 02:12 PM

Gilly, thanks so much, nobody has been able to give such a concise clear answer , or any answer for that matter yet! You confirmed exactly what I thought as far as removing the main part of the filter, its pretty straightforward. Thanks!

I'm still a little lost on the prefilter part. I can't seem to find it online in any of the shops. All have the fuel filter, but I never see the prefilter. Would it be called something else?

Could you explain the process of changing the pre-filter?? You said 'its pretty easy to do' but you are a tech =] I'm not the most mechanically inclined but think this shouldn't be too bad.

Gilly · #4 08-21-2002, 11:50 PM

OK, I'll try, it's one of those things easier to show rather than explain though.
First, no idea why you are having trouble finding one. Call Phil at Fastlane, maybe he can help, or I can get the number for you if you can wait a day or two. I'm off work Thursday this week.

Near the bolt that holds the main filter in place is a black plastic hose, which comes to an end that looks like a black button (best way to describe it). The button is held down with a metal C shaped bracket, which in turn is held down by a bolt, 10mm head.
Remove the bolt and bracket, then you can both remove the plastic line (90 degree elbow, pull UP not back on the line), then the filter itself (the "button" the line goes into) can be pulled up out of the housing. It works just the opposite to reinstall it, no real trick involved. BUT take careful note of the O-ring I mentioned, I've never seen it come already installed on the new pre-filter or even supplied loose in the box with the pre-filter, it must be either bought new and installed, or at a minimum carefully removed from the old pre-filter and installed on the new one, I always want to replace it. IF you do neither and intall it without the O-ring, the injection pump will suck all the fuel out of the pre-filter and main filter, air will enter the system though the pre-filter and cause a no-start situation, plus all the air will need to be bled from the injection lines. A real mess. As you can tell, there was a rather steep learning curve associated with replacing filters on 606 motors. Save yourself the hassle and order a new o-ring for the pre-filter. I can get the number for that too if you need it.

Gilly

LightMan · #5 08-21-2002, 11:59 PM

You have no idea how helpful this has been! I wanted to be able to do the majority of basic maintenances on my car myself, and this was one that I wasn't sure about.

I'd love the part numbers if its not too much trouble. Thanks again.

LightMan · #6 08-22-2002, 12:06 AM

on fastlane's online catalog or benzbin's online catalog, in the fuel delivery section there were these choices

Fuel Filter
Fuel Filter Seal
Fuel Line Seal
Fuel Screen
Fuel Tank Cap

Would any of these be the fuel prefilter or O ring and I'm just not realizing it?

Gilly · #7 08-22-2002, 12:40 AM

I should be able to get those numbers without too much hassle.
I'd still recommend talking to Phil about the numbers, hopefully he is aware of the o-ring situation. I hear is is very knowledgeable and helpful, never talked to him myself, being a dealer guy and all.
I would venture to guess the "fuel screen" is the prefilter, not sure though, as there is a screen in the tank as well.
If he ID's the part you need and he says the o-ring is included, just ask him to confirm this before shipment, as I highly doubt this is the case.

Gilly

LightMan · #8 08-22-2002, 01:00 AM

Gilly thanks, and I look forward to you posting the part numbers.

Question, is there a technical manual that outlines the services for my car available for sale to the public? for example, the bentley manual is available or on cd for sale to the public for vw's...

Gilly · #9 08-22-2002, 07:22 AM

Not sure about a manual, as far as repairs go. I have all the factory stuff at work, so buying something from the aftermarket wouldn't make alot of sense.
Now on Maintenance issues, you could consider buying the maintenance manual from Mercedes, I believe Maintenance Manual #4 covers 99's, but it would cover all models, not just your car. You can get a price quote from MB, just call 1 800 FOR MERCedes and you want to talk to someone there in regards to technical publications and manuals.

Gilly

LightMan · #10 08-22-2002, 03:28 PM

Which parts exactly were you talking about for the prefilter? I see a brownish hose going to a black button looking thing on the far left, and a black rubber hose going to a black fitting toward the middle and top. Maybe this pic will help you explain the prefilter change to us laymans!!

Gilly · #11 08-22-2002, 08:56 PM

The prefilter is about "3 fingers" to the right of the main filter bolt in that image, the one with the dark brown hose running to it. The 10mm bolt going through that metal bracket is the one which is removed to allow the elbow at the end of the dark brown hose to be removed and also the bracket retains the pre-filter itself.

The pre-filter is 601-092-01-05, and the o-ring you'll need is 601-997-01-48.

Gilly

LightMan · #12 08-22-2002, 10:52 PM

Thank you much, I think we've got it down now! =]

JimSmith · #13 08-22-2002, 11:04 PM

Gilly,

Isn't that to the left of the main filter bolt? I may be getting confused, but the main filter bolt used to be a 22mm unit on older Diesels so I figured the big bolt in the center was the main filter bolt, and that makes the little black button and the 10mm bolt to the left, or am I seeing things? Thanks, Jim

LightMan · #14 08-22-2002, 11:17 PM

I'm sure he meant to the left, he said with the brown hose going to it....

Thanks again gilly for the part #'s. The prefilter was called 'fuel screen' on the parts catalog and the o ring was 'fuel filter seal'. I can't believe how cheap they are online and expensive at the dealer.

I bought 3 fuel filters, 4 prefilters, 4 o-rings, and 3 air filters for $97.

The last time I had my fuel filter/prefilter changed at the dealership it was $106!!! thanks for giving a little back Gilly =]

Gilly · #15 08-23-2002, 12:37 AM

"Giving" a little back? What are you talking about, you owe me 10 bucks!

Man, i can't believe I got the direction wrong. What I think is going on is this: But I think you may need to be a mechanic or work on your own cars a lot to understand it. I think that I was thinking in terms of the bolt being to the right side of the car (passengers side, relative to the large bolt) instead of relating it to the image I was looking at. If you think about it, if you are standing in front of the car and someone says "hey, check out my right front tire, it looks almost flat to me", I actually walk to the LEFT to get to the right side of the car, see what I mean?

Gilly

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