I will embark on my first DIY oil change on my '90 190E. The steps are simple enough: drain oil, remove old filter, install new filter, put drain plug back in, pour in new oil. Simple.

Some questions I have:

1. Do I need an oil wrench to remove the old filter? I got a Mahle oil filter. Is this a hand-screw filter or do I need a special oil wrench, as the top of the filter seems to suggest?

2. I take it that the oil drain plug is the bolt on the driverside bottom SIDE of the oil pan and not at the bottom.

3. How many qts for a six cylinder? (My indie normally states 6.5 to 7 qts in the invoice, recalling from the top of my head.)

4. The controversial question: oil change when engine is stoone code or after a good drive?

Thanks.

i can usually turn my filter by hand...it takes a little effort..but i tighten the new one by hand as well...

i turn it a few turns.... after warming the engine up...

i use a top side type suction device...

after i suck the oil out... i take the old filter off... i have to put some paper underneath the car... some oil from the filter finds it's way to the ground.

new filter, then fill.

i seem to need about 6.5 quarts...

never drained from the bottom...

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1989 300ce 129k
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1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



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[/SIGPIC]

Why should one never drain from the bottom? I don't have a topsider or whatever it is called. I have my belly pan off from changing the VR on my alternator and thought maybe it's time for me to do my own oil change.

Change it from the drain plug if it's convenient.
Just punch a hole in the oil filter top before you drain the oil ...will allow the oil filter to drain so you don't spill oil over everything when you unscrew it.


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Sixto
... stay tuned

6.5 is correct for the 190E 2.6 (inline 6). The inline 4 (2.3) is 5.25, not sure on the diesels. Yes, punch a hole in the filter before you start draining, since the filter is upside down, oil will make a heck of a mess if you don't. Use a center punch and a hammer. Engine should be up to operating temp for the oil change. Be sure to get a new sealing ring for the drain plug. It should be a 13mm hex (wrench) to remove the plug. Most people use a oil filter wrench to remove the filter, the best kind is the "cup" shaped one, not a strap wrench. You should be able to remove the filter without removing the air filter housing. If you do want to try it with the air filter off, there are 3 nuts, the 2 by the valve cover and one on the drivers side, kind of down low, that one actually you just need to loosen. Access to the filter on this engine is actually pretty good, there seems to be less clearance on this same engine on the 300E, which is surprising since this is a smaller chassis. And it's way better than on the 190E 2.3 with the smaller 4 cyl engine, pretty weird.
Gilly

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