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

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

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.

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Prost!

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

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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 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

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

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.

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