I'm starting to realize I have all kinds of air filter problems on my '82 300 SD Turbo Diesel. After examining pics on the skinnerbox site (http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/W123/w123CD2/Program/Engine/617/09-400.pdf), I can't seem to make out what I've got going on here.

1. First off, is the hose running from the top of the engine supposed to go to the top of the air filter case? Is this what is referred to as the "crankcase breather tube?" The reason I ask is that the pics from the skinnerbox site show it going from the engine to a different area (not the top of the air filter).

2. I opened the air filter case and there is no air filter. Great There is however a good bit of oil inside. I am hoping this is because the rubber elbow leading to the top of the air filter tore and oil managed to work its way into the case. Oil in the air filter is typically a bad sign right?

3. My oil filter case isn't secured. The rubber mounts with screws stemming in each direction seem to have melted and one of the fasteners fell off. I assume this is something I can replace at most auto parts stores?

Here are some pics:

Well, the first thing I would do is immediately put an air filter in there. The tubing going from the valve cover to the air filter looks rather homemade.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

Ali is right, first thing is to get an air filter in the case (six months ago)[without the filter the baby is sucking grit down the pipe!]
2. is to replace the air filter housing mounts.

64a. The "crankcase ventilation" scenario of these engines will always SUCK oily vapors AND oil from the top of the valve cover and deposit them in the air cleaner housing...allgegedly the oil/vapors will exit the air cleaner housing VIA the return
line underneath (to the crankcase)...ALL dependant upon "Blow By" [excessive crankcase pressure][show me a "turbo'ed
engine without "Excessive Crankcase Pressure" + it'll only have 30 miles on it]

Hickeys are ususally a sign of passion and romance. Maybe the o'le girl has a boy friend. It would also explain her discheveled appearancee.

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Earl



1993 190E 2.3
2000 Toyota 4x4 Tundra

The tube is routed correctly. From the valve cover to the air cleaner.
Other models have other routes, for instance one of my cars goes from
valve cover to intake manifold, but same purpose.
Yours is better.
Three ten mm nuts hold the air cleaner housing onto the intake manifold.
Remove them (if these are the melted things you mentioned, replace those
rubber mounts with dealer supplied parts). Underneath the air cleaner
housing you might have a tube that goes down to the oil pan.
It is supposed to have a one way valve allowing oil to flow into the pan.
Other threads describe that this valve can go bad.
I do not have any experience with this.

This replacement tube is also designed to help minimize oil in filter:
http://www.**************.com/store/item.php?item=Turbo%20Diesel%20Breather%20Upgrade

Take it apart, get it cleaned out.
And like the others said, get that air filter in there.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

the homemade hose wont work unless it is too tall and hits the hood. be careful when you replace the rubber mounts cause this will lift the houseing and it might hit the hood.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.