Newbie - Oil Change on '88 300E
 

I just got a Pela extractor, and have used it successfully on my VW TDI Golf. I now am attempting my first oil change on the 88 300E. I know this must be simple, but how do I remove the air filter assembly to a) get to the oil filter and b) change the air filter? Will it come off if I just remove the four top bolts and the one in front? Does the plastic tube just pop off the top of the air filter assembly, or should I disconnect from the engine?

Thanks,
Ray Solomon

Ray:

The four nuts will allow the top cover to come off, just remove the rubber blowby/air supply hose and lift cover off. No need to remove the intake hose, the bottom half stays put. If the bottom cover is loose, get now rubber mounts, there are three, on in front on the manifold, one at the rear on teh manifold side, and one in the middle on the fender side. They screw into the manifold, 10mm nut on top (or side).

Filter just unscrews, it's a spin-on. You will spill some oil, have a rag handy.

Take a vacuum cleaner and vacuum up all the leaves and crud that collects in the dirty side of the air filter housing, too!

Peter

Thanks - I thought I would have to remove the whole air filter to use my strap oil filter wrench, but I was able to use a "cap" filter fitting (whatever it is called) that was slipping and added a piece of cloth so it wouldn't slip. Came right off.

Does that hard plastic tube on the top of the AF assembly pop off?

Thanks again,
Ray

In a word: Yes. As a caution, it is probably old and brittle, be gentle so it doesn't crack or break.

Haasman

It's also not very expensive to replace.

Peter