Hi there. Help me to understand this.
We own 2 MBs (an 89 300E and a 92 190-E 2.3) and I've noticed that both of these have spin-on oil filters, rather than the canister type. HURRAY!! BUT, they are located at the rear of the engine block ON TOP.
I admit that I'm an MB neophyte... but have a fair bit of experience with working on cars in general. If I remove the oil filter from this location, WILL I END UP WITH THE MESS THAT I'M GUESSING IS INEVITABLE? Or is there a check valve in the oil filter that retains the oil while in the upside-down position (not under pressure)?!?!?
If it won't make the mess that would seem to be obvious, I would be much more likely to buy one of these TopSider pumps that I've read about on the forum and do the intermediate oil changes myself. My local (and trusted) service shop bangs me around $60 per oil change service. If I can buy a filter and oil for $15 myself and avoid the mess of oil running down the back of the engine block means then by all means I will do so!

Your comments and advice are greatly appreciated and always respected. Thanks in advance.




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Jay Yambrovich
1989 300 E
1992 190-E 2.3

If you change the oil hot, wait about 15 minutes after shut down to spin off the filter. Another trick you can try if you want to speed things up is to punch a 3-5 mm hole in the top of the filter before removing. This will allow the inside of the filter to drain quicker as you have now exposed the inside of the filter casing to atmospheric pressure. You're throwing the thing away anyhow so it won't matter if it's got an extra hole in it. I do this all the time and it seems to avoid any slippery suprize events when you spin off the filter.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 05-07-2000).]

Just received my TopSider last month and the thing is very handy. Get the engine good and hot, (after running around town) then pull the dip stick, pump the can 40-50 times, insert and release the line block and away you go! Come back in 15 minutes to check and maybe give an extra couple of pumps to get the thick crud out.


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96 C280

Start by un-screwing the filter 3/4 to 1 turn & it will drain back into the engine. Make sure to allow engine to cool down 10-15 minutes, & use only filters made for MB's as they have that special anti-drain back check valve,