Here's an air filter puzzle... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jwhughes3 · #1 05-05-2009, 07:13 PM

My 86 300E air filter housing had been overtightened in the past and had broken spring clips and broken studs inside that hold the top on. So while at PnP last time I pull an unmolested air cleaner housing from another 86 300E (same one I got the springs from). Went to switch it today and it looked like a lower profile - the lid was not as raised when compared to mine. I cleaned it and stuck a new filter and sure enough - it takes a shorter filter. On the lid is stamped the filter part number and cross referencing shows the filter is for a 190E 2.6.

Now I know I read the engine label correctly for a 3L engine and it looked like mine - it fits in place - I just don't have a filter to stick in it.

My questions are - the shorter filter seems like it would not pass as much air - I don't want to starve my engine - I hesitate to just put the 190 2.6 filter in it though I can't imagine the extra 400cc from the smaller 6 cyl to mine would make a huge difference - do you think it would?

Why would this one have been on the other 300? Was there a mid year switch in air filter housings? I realize they may have done the exact same thing I did and replaced it, but I just wonder what the experts here might know or think about it.

John in San Antonio
(fussing about 1/2" of filter height)

wbain5280 · #2 05-06-2009, 12:34 AM

The 190 is a smaller car and has a lower hood.

jwhughes3 · #3 05-06-2009, 01:15 AM

not by much - my 190 2.6 felt pretty much the same as the 300E does size wise..... but I'll buy 1/2" I guess....

John in San Antonio

Ivanerrol · #4 05-06-2009, 05:22 AM

The 300E and 190E 2.6 may feel the same while driving, but that M103 2.6 was shoehorned in to the engine compartment of the W201.

I fell for the same trick. I had a W124 and 190e both with M103 engines. I bought kits of fuel,air,and oil filters from a wholesaler for the M103 engine expecting the airfilters to be the same.

The smaller profiled aircleaner element was harder to get and more expensive than the larger ones for the W124.

I would change the airfilter housing back to the correct size for this reason alone. You should be able to find one at a wreckers for a very small amount.

The transmissions for the 2.6 and 300 are different. Don't get caught out with this.

pawoSD · #5 05-06-2009, 09:19 AM

190's are tiny compared to a W124.....My head hits the ceiling in a 190. I was considering one, until I looked at one and found how small they are!

jwhughes3 · #6 05-07-2009, 12:05 AM

air filter housing and epoxied the stud towers - I pulled the other housing from the only one in the PnP yard that had one left - there was one from a 91 300CE, but it is completely different altogether.

Anyway - thanks for trying to solve the puzzle.

John in San Antonio