1995 s320 oil filter cap stuck, help!
 

Hi,

First time changing oil on the 1995 s320, found the oil filter behind the engine on the driver's side. The darn thing is stuck. How can I get it free?

I first tried a plastic/graphite oil wrench that attaches to a 3/8" ratchet drive, and after a soft attempt to turn counter clockwise, the wrench snapped in two. I went to a different auto-parts store, and found metal ones and this kind that tightens over the cap. I cannot get either to budge the stupid thing. I am physically stronger than average (I bench press over 250lbs, etc etc), but I feel like a little girly man.

What else can I do to get this thing lose? Hopefully to loosen, I turn it ccw, correct? I tried just a smidge clockwise, but it, too, didn't budge.

Thank you for your time.

Get a longer ratchet or use an extender pipe, someone torqued the hell out of it and/or has been generations since it was replaced. It'll come. Yes CCW.
Gilly

Dude! DUh! It worked, thank you!!! Metal pipe to extend my ratchet. 11th grade physics was so long ago.. :D

There is a wrench made just for the MB filter cap (74mm, 14 flute) which you can get a socket wrench on. I got mine at the dealer at some point in the distant past, but I see plenty of similar styles on ebaymotors.

Location of the w140 s320 1995 oil filter
 

Oh, I found a lot of threads where people couldn't find the oil filter, and it took me a while to find as well, so I've snapped a couple pictures for others in the future, and attached to this post. Hope that's okay. Please excuse the dirty engine, I just took over this car, and it has over 320,000 miles on it now.

I got a generic one at pepboys for $6 that was made of metal, 76mm for 14 notches and it fits perfect. It allows a 3/8" ratchet to attach, and I had to lengthen the ratchet to provide more torque. All good :)

That's great. I've had them so damm tight that I used a 3/8 to 1/2" adapter and used a really long 1/2" ratchet to get them off. Hope you took it easy on the little feller this time!
I like the red 140, pretty rare I think.
Gilly

Yup, I just did it hand tight. The oil was changed about 5k miles ago by an independent who is really good, so I was surprised at this.

Slight concern after the filter change, because there was a sort of "gap" between the cap and the housing, don't remember it being there before, but, after an hour drive, there's no leak so *shrug* probably nothing to worry about.

It's not red, I'm not sure what color.. I've always called it "masculine pink". It's similar to some of those wine-red colors more common today, but it's a bit lighter and more pink. It even has v12 s600 emblems on it :rolleyes: How do I find out the official paint color?

Metal tag on the radiator support, Oooo, or on a 140 it might be the bumper support, anyways look up front for a metal tag that has punched numbers/letters on it, sort of like an overgrown military "dog tag". I'm sure there is a reference online to decipher what it all means, incl the color code, from there you can easily find the name of the color online. Can you post a pic of the entire car? What color interior?
You can use the tool to give the oil filter cover a quick snug, just don't use that pipe!

Gilly

There was a tag on the front over the radiator (see attached), I don't know which number to read.. I'm guessing "512 M" which would make it "garnet red" ? But, I think I recall "reuby red metallic" being the right color. Back when we first had it, the car had similar paint like this kid's here. But, it's been through two or three accidents, and parts have been repainted, so it looks different now than it used to. I'll take some pics today after washing it.

The interior is that light tan color. Leather is cracked all over, the armrest is worn through, all the rugs needs replacing as they are rather stained etc etc. Needs work. I found a bunch of s600's and cl600's in my area for good prices.. I wonder if I should even bother with this one. :rolleyes:

Indeed, garnet red metallic. Ruby Pearl is something different, #572.