Oil Filter: Potential Error - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bobboyer5 · #1 03-09-2004, 12:50 PM

Possibly......

I installed my new oil filter last week upside down. Not that I'm sure, just that I'm paranoid a bit.

Car is '77 450 SEL (4.5)

If this were the case, what would symptoms be? Would I hear them? Would I feel them?

Thanks.

jim16671836 · #2 03-09-2004, 01:20 PM

I will look at a filter but I don't think you can put it in upside down. I will get back with you....Jim

psfred · #3 03-09-2004, 01:32 PM

You will probably get unfiltered oil circulating.

I've done this in the 280 -- normal oil pressure, but I'd bet no filtration.

Peter

bobboyer5 · #4 03-09-2004, 02:11 PM

Peter:

Now I'm REALLY worried.

How can I determine this, without draining all the oil?

Here's what I've noticed:

My car uses virtually no oil.

After oil filled with 8 quarts, dipstick was near top mark.

Week later, hoevering about 1 quart down. I've heard that filter fills up with about 1 quart, so maybe this explains that and that I should have put in 9 quarts.

Also:

Noise level is just a touch up from engine. But not overheating at all. I put in 20W-50, since it's getting to hot season here in Florida.

Any help or advice you can give?

Thanks.

Bob

Tomguy · #5 03-09-2004, 03:33 PM

If you put the filter in backwards I'd expect it to be VERY hard to tighten the canister because you'd be crushing the filter (The one end has a larger hole than the other, the larger hole surrounds the oil pickup tube in the center, the smaller end can't fit around this so it'd mean that soemthing in the filter would have to be pushed through or the filter itself crushed)...

The 108's 117 uses 8qts including the filter and oil cooler. I don't know if the 116 has an oil cooler or not, but the 108 does.

psfred · #6 03-09-2004, 04:55 PM

Does the W116 have that nice top fill canster or a bottom bolt type?

Either way, the filter WILL fit backwards -- it's the same as on the W108.

Just remove the filter -- you will dump all the oil in the canster if it comes off. Top of filter (small or no holes in body) goes toward the block on the side canisters, toward the top cover on the other type. Pleated filter visible at the bottom of the filter goes to the bottom of the canister.

Peter

bobboyer5 · #7 03-09-2004, 05:23 PM

Peter:

W116 - it's on the bottom.

Will try what you suggest, just as a precaution, and then reinsert.

Can I reinsert same filter?

Thanks!!

Bob

bobboyer5 · #8 03-09-2004, 05:30 PM

Peter:

To clarify, do you mean that end of filter with SMALL HOLE is at the end closest to the clock? I am referring to cannister placement that's on bottom of motor.

Like yours.

Small hole to the top?

psfred · #9 03-09-2004, 07:29 PM

Bob:

The handle goes toward the block -- I THINK the small hole is on top. It must seal, so I think that's the way it goes.

The bottom part of the filter is a pleated filter about 2 inches long, with large holes in the metal if I remember correctly. That goes toward the bottom of the canister.

Tomguy · #10 03-09-2004, 09:07 PM

We're talking about the same filters, right?

You can see BOTH ends have handles. The small hole goes into the bottom of the canister and the large hole at the top. The top end surrounds the return and is where the oil actually travels to. If the filter is in backwards, all the oil will bypass it. The top would be sealed off so oil wouldn't travel THROUGH it like it should. Simple drawing:
The red lines are the dirty oil before going through, green indicates clean oil. The bottom seal is small so it fits snugly around the shaft, the top is large so that it fits around the fitting where the clean oil re-enters (and where the bolt for the canister screws into as well)

bobboyer5 · #11 03-09-2004, 09:14 PM

Tomguy:

Now, I'm an educated guy, but you've got me thoroughly confused.

Let's play this real simple.......

You say the small hole is at bottom of cannister.

However: Which is the "bottom" of the cannister?

My filter is located at bottom of motor.

Assuming that, should filter's small hole be at top, closest to motor, or at lower end, near the exterior bolt.

If you can answer this directly for me, I'll be a happy camper.

I appreciate all the free advice.

But, geez people, why the confusion?

cth350 · #12 03-09-2004, 09:38 PM

By bottom, he means the end with the bolt. I wouldn't reuse the filter if you have changed the diameter of the small hole by crushing it. On the other hand, if you installed it right the first time, then you can reuse it w/o fear. -CTH

kpb · #13 03-09-2004, 09:56 PM

I'm a newbie here but clarity in your many recent posts is most definitely a virtue

kpb

rgnprof · #14 03-09-2004, 10:11 PM

I have what I'm sure will sound like a dumb question in connection to the above pictured filter in this post. I recently bought a Gud oil filter for my '72 250 that also had this blue paper wrap like the one pictured earlier. Does that stay on or off? I tore it off thinking it was just an identification wrapper, but after seeing one like it in this thread, I'm not sure! I've never bought this brand before, so....

If it should have stayed on, do I need to replace it again?

Thanks.

Ryan

Tomguy · #15 03-09-2004, 10:17 PM

it needs to be there to hold the pleats together! I am pretty sure it's important or, knowing how companies always want to reduce-cost, it wouldn't be on.

Bob: The "Bottom" is the enclosed end with the spring/plate. The small end fits up against that and surrounds the bolt. The end with the large hole goes in the "top" to surround the oil return fitting. I believe top and bottom are how it's viewed by the engine itself, unless your canister mounts upside-down (which I DOUBT, I've seen the 116 mount before, and when I say top/bottom that's what I mean

)