What tool to remove oil filter on 1994 C280?

[dwcasey]

Just finished my first TopSider oil change. Worked pretty well.

I purchased a Swivoil Oil Filter wrench (napa) and I can't get the blasted thing down around the filter. The wrench will angle from 180 to 90 degrees and everywhere in between. The space is way to tight for such a tool. It's almost like I need a very large socket on the end of an angled one foot extension...is there a special tool for this?

Also, I noticed on the oil filter cover, it's got 25nM...torque tightness for the cover I guess...is this completely necessary? If so, then I guess there must me a special tool for oil filter removal.

Thanks.

[blackmercedes]

Mercedes sells a nice tool for just this job...

[David C Klasse]

Some people say you must use a wrench, but there are some people, like me, who don't use them. I just use my hand, put in a little muscle, and twist it off. And then -install it by hand, tightening it snugly, but not too tight.

Good luck!

[dwcasey]

You must have fore-arms like Popeye

I'll start eating my spinach.

[David C Klasse]

Originally posted by dwcasey
You must have fore-arms like Popeye

Nope!

It shouldn't be THAT hard to twist, in my experience.

[Mick J]

part number is 103 589 0209, UK retail price £3.98 + VAT

25nm is about 18 ft lbs which is just a smudge tighter than hand tight. I bought a torque wrench to do the E300TD oil filter housing and the lug bolts for switching to snow tires and the minimum spec on the wrench is 20 ft lbs. It was too easy to get a 'click' from the wrench when putting the filter cap back on. That cap doesn't take alot of effort.

[JDUB]

I haven't used an oil filter wrench in years. The oil filter should not be put on so tight that you can't remove it with your bare hands.

[dwcasey]

And that must be my problem then. Goofy mechanic must have gotten a little too happy with the air-wrench or something. I cannot for the life of me get it off. I'm taking it to the mechanic today to have them loosen, replace the filter and tighten...not too tight.

Thanks.

[jsmith]

18.5 ft lbs won't be easy to loosen by hand, specially if it's a cramped location. i've torqued my filter housing last few oil changes after i got the tool. no way i can get that sucker off by hand...

[JimSmith]

dwcasey,

What kind of oil filter do you have, the spin on type or the kind that goes in a permanently attached housing on the side of the block, with a removable cap?

If it is the latter, the cap should have a hex in it. My old C230Kompressor Sport had a black heavy duty plastic cap, and I bought the MB tool, which grabs the outside flats of the cap. On my 1998 E300D Turbodiesel, the cap is so big around you have to use the hex molded into the top to remove it. MB sells a tool for that too, but so does Sears for about $7. I think it was a 36mm hex. Anyway, you cannot remove these by hand unless you have a bionic claw. You need a wrench. If it was a spin on unit, I would agree most of them, depending on access, should be readily removeable by hand unless you put it on too tight.

Good luck, Jim

[Mingson]

I think you should just buy the tool, it is really a nice little tool you will use over and over again and only costs about $10 US.

[dwcasey]

I'll look for the tool at Sears this weekend.


Thanks.

[Mingson]

Don't buy it at Sears, go to the dealer and buy it from them. It should be a fit over filter and it fits perfectly. It should out last the car. It is only around $10 from the dealer.

[jsmith]

the MB tool also has a feature for completely stuck filter housing. there are bolts that go on top or the sides that will allow you to extract the stubborn cover (you will have to get a new one though)...