how much force is required to remove this thing?

I have a fitting to remove it. autozone had a filter element socket that exactly fit (OEM size B)

I have the same filter wrench from Autozone and it works great. Unless someone has tightened it too much, it only takes moderate force to remove. I usually use my 3/8 drive ratchet with about a 6 inch extension.

The cap is sealed by an o-ring so there is no need to over tighten. O-ring should be replaced with every filter change. Most filters come with the o-ring.

the torque spec is 25nm, so it doesn't need much if tightened correctly.

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Prost!

They can get stuck. The first time I changed the filter on my '95 I had some choice thoughts for the previous installer. The second time I changed the filter, the cap was just as difficult to remove even though I tightened the cap properly on the last change.

Its not budging with the 3/8" drive ratchet. I dont want to move up to the breaker bar and break the thing them im SOL

Use a 1/2" ratchet with a 3/8 reducer. Just be slow and easy on it, try it when the motor is at operating temp.....

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

yeah good idea. I've got that stuff . I just don't like the plastic lid on the thing.

Go ahead and use the breaker bar. Just be sure that you're turning it CCW to loosen. I regularly use a 1/2" breaker bar to loosen/tighten the oil filter housing cover for the convenience of it, but I only apply moderate force.

The genuine MB tool is inexpensive and works very well.

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Fred Hoelzle

anti clockwise it is!..

I priced the tool and its like $40 or so at the dealer.. this tool at autozone fits exactly and was $5

Make sure the tool you got is made of metal, actually fits snug, and is the cap kind. I had this problem on my dad's w140 s320. The plastic tool snapped but the metal one worked. Here's my thread from last year:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=249993

(my engine was warm, too, which I believe helped)

just FYI, I used a lot of brute force even with the made to order exetender pipe. But do exercise caution and need to use some finesse. Just be careful

Wow ... MBUSA must have really inflated the price on the oil filter housing cover removal tool. I paid around $8 about 12 years ago. Maybe you should try another MB dealer.

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Fred Hoelzle