re: [I]The copper washer is for the drain plug on the crankcase

I already had those from another source, but certainly thoughtful of them.

re: Is it possible that there's something wrong that could inflict the same damage on your new filter? Are you tempted to check it before it is time to replace it?

Yep, I think I will be attending to this more frequently. The holes are symterical, so perhaps some of that fine "imported" quality control. I don't think there are particles in the oil making the holes.

And after I drove about 40 miles the oil PSI drops to 1.5 bar at idle, but a smoother swing now.

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91 300 TE 235K
93 Cabriolet 155K sold
92 300 TE 200K boneyard

The filter looks like it has Exit Wounds, as if a particle had come outwards from it. But the filter looks like it had been sucked inwards, or possibly twisted because it was too long or something. Except it should be twisted the other way after taking it out. If something is circulating around in there, the old filter certainly didn't stop it. But I would think it would have caused some kind of mechanical problem.

Maybe somebody who knows how the oil should flow through the filter on this engine can explain how a defective filter could account for its appearance, but I certainly can't.

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1996 C280 289K Traded
1997 E420 167K Traded
2001 S430 240K Traded
2010 E550 4matic 80K
2000 GMC Jimmy 198K Gone to Boneyard
2003 Camry LE 196K
2011 Mazda3 i Sport 31K

Reply to Steve M.
Oil is filtered through the filter from the outside where the surface area is greater allowing filtration to be more complete to the inside and out through the smaller opening where its routed to the various areas where needed.

Guyton, recommend using genuine MB, Hengst or Mann oil filters and changing oil and filter every 7,500 miles unless your car is exposed to extreme conditions. I have never seen a used oil filter damaged/distorted like that.

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Fred Hoelzle

Lanny- You've confirmed what I suspected - When I pull those cartridges out and see how filthy they look, I've always hoped I was looking at the dirty, upstream side.

The prevailing suspicion seems to be that Guyton's filter was poorly made - but what if it started out perfectly good? What happens when a properly working filter becomes totally clogged? Is there a bypass mechanism in the engine to keep oil flowing under those circusmstances, or does the filter collapse inward as this Chinese one seems to have done? Maybe those symmetrical holes were caused by a support structure that helps the filter keep its shape, but which became overwhelmed. Maybe we can't see it because the filter pops out a little when the engine stops.

If this was an episode of CSI on TV, those exit wounds would have led to an autopsy by now. It's time for Guyton to cut this thing open.

__________________
1996 C280 289K Traded
1997 E420 167K Traded
2001 S430 240K Traded
2010 E550 4matic 80K
2000 GMC Jimmy 198K Gone to Boneyard
2003 Camry LE 196K
2011 Mazda3 i Sport 31K