When I buy an oil filter for my 240D W123, there is several seals inside the box (some O-rings and sone metallic washers).

So usually, I replace the rubber O-ring on the oil filter cover cap and the metallic washer on the screw at the bottom of the engine (the one which enable to empty the oil). Sorry but I don't know very well the english technical terms.

But I'm wondering what are the others for ? They are spare seals or they have a specific utility ?

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in France : 240D 1981 380 000 km
240D 1984 252 000 km
300D 1978 325 000 km
in the US : Ford Tempo 1993 70K

Copper washer at the oil drain plug, aluminum (I think) washer on the oil filter stem, such that it is between the oil filter housing cap and the oil filter rubber seal on the top of the oil filter.

Rubber gasket where you describe.

The rest, I throw in the garbage, or at my son if he is helping me.

JCD

This is a question I was wondering because the aluminium (or steel ?) washer fit perfectly the stem diameter of the oil filter.

__________________
in France : 240D 1981 380 000 km
240D 1984 252 000 km
300D 1978 325 000 km
in the US : Ford Tempo 1993 70K

I have a schematic, can't remember if it is in my factory manual or the part's manual that shows that washer in as I describe, i.e. on the stem.

I can't imagine what function it serves, but it's on mine. It was also on there when I did my first oil change after buying it from my Dad.

JCD

I have no idea but so far I never put a washer between the the top of the filter stem and the filter.

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in France : 240D 1981 380 000 km
240D 1984 252 000 km
300D 1978 325 000 km
in the US : Ford Tempo 1993 70K

It seems we have a mistery to solve. Maybe we have to call Mulder and Scully

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in France : 240D 1981 380 000 km
240D 1984 252 000 km
300D 1978 325 000 km
in the US : Ford Tempo 1993 70K

On early W123 Diesels the center tube was also the means to hold the oil housing cover on. It was a part of the oil filter housing, meaning it did not come off with the cap. The later models have a pair of fasteners that hold the cap down. In the version with the single fastener in the center of the cap (my 190E 2.3-16 uses this design) the silver colored washer goes under the nut to seal and to protect the cap. The other copper washers went on the oil cooler drain plug, if the car had one. Later cars do not apparently have this feature either. Hope this helps, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Bill,

That is correct. When you encounter one of those configurations you will note the washer under the nut when it comes off. I usually replace the washer with the satin surface down, facing the cover and the "as rolled" surface facing the nut. At the diameter of the Diesel filter housing the single fastener may have proven too difficult to maintain a good seal at the main joint. The two fasteners at the ears of the cover apparently make the joint assembly more reliable (more clamping force to keep the joint from being exercised with starts and stops - pressurization cycles). Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Gnolo,
Considering the year of your car, you are using the seals correctly. You should also change the two tiny o-rings on the long tube on the filter housing cover. These get very hard after time.

God luck,
Peter

P.S. Christine and I enjoyed our holiday through Paris, Rheems, Verdun, and the country side of Northern France in the Renault we rented at La Guere Du Nord in Paris two years ago. I'm sorry my French spelling is very bad.

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

I re-read the schematic. What I thought was the washer between the filter and the cap, was the o-ring. I stand corrected again.

JCD
"Village Idiot"