Can W115 Oil Bath Air Cleaner be used on W123? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rs899 · #1 08-11-2006, 07:45 AM

I'm not seeking opinions about which is better, but can anyone think of any reason why an old style oil bath air cleaner from W115/OM615 will not play with a W123/OM616 setup? Of course, physical constraints are one thing, but mechanically, would a 616 be happy? I don't want it to run away or anything.

Rick

mj_sid · #2 08-11-2006, 12:00 PM

I'm not 100% sure but I seem to recall seeing a similar setup in a diagram for the 123 that I was looking at. It looked just like the 115 air cleaner. I beleive that it was for cold climates. I will take a look when I get home and see if I can find it. I do not know of any reason why it could not work.

--Maatt

mj_sid · #3 08-12-2006, 05:41 PM

These are scans made from the 615/616 manual we have. They basically show that there was a special use 123 that had the oil filter housing that was used on the 115's. I have no idea how it will work with the 617 engine though.
I hope they help in your project. Let us know your reasons/ results after installation.

These are both PDF files at about 450kb each.

Diagram

Installation

--Matt

rs899 · #4 08-12-2006, 09:14 PM

Thanks Matt-

My early W123(OM 616) needs a new air cleaner anyway and there happen to be 2 or 3 W115s in the boneyard now. I just thought, since the oil cleaner is as good or better than the paper, I might try it. That is one feature on thw W115 that I like.
Rick

Diesel Giant · #5 08-13-2006, 01:18 PM

My question is why would you do that? The oil bath cleaner are 1940'-1950's technology. They were not very effective at small particle filtration.

rs899 · #6 08-13-2006, 08:24 PM

I thought I remembered a thread on here that concluded otherwise. I'll do some reading before I install one. But , I did pick a nice one up at upullit - on sale for five cents ($.05). It's going to be a bit tight on the W123 due to the A/C receiver dryer that isn't there on the W115.

t walgamuth · #7 08-13-2006, 11:24 PM

the oil baths were respected in their day.

but i wouldnt convert a newer car to it.

in fact i converted my last 115 to paper.

tom w

rs899 · #8 08-14-2006, 06:40 AM

Diesel Giant and TW-

Looks like you guys are right. Modern pleated paper filters seem to be more efficient (as of 1979). I'll probably just leave it alone. I seem to be building a supply of W115 parts- maybe I'll find one someday.

Rick