rdkeisman

While removing the old oil filter from my '03 C240, the oil filter housing broke. Do I have to replace the whole housing or does it dissassemble?

mleskovar

Are you saying the piece that is cast with the engine block broke?!!! If that is what broke you better find a VERY GOOD welder to repair it for you.

SeaCoupe

I think he means the plastic piece.

Please tell me that is what you broke.

E

pnoye2

Correct me if I'm wrong... but I thought that black plastic "cover" (NOT the housing itself; though it'd be really hard to break) piece just unscrew, it's just hand tightened isn't it?

About to address "Service A" on the Mrs commute car meself... on my way to MB of Laguna Niguel stealership, I'll enquire about the oil filter housing cover!

pnoye2

Whoa!!! I could see now how you busted the oil filter housing cover (if that is what you're referring to)... it's on there really really tight, I even broke my adjustable (band type) oil filter wrench trying to break it loose, thought it would just be hand tightened but I guess not.

Though it seems like a speacial tool is needed for the oil filter cover removal... didn't want to risk breaking the damn plastic cover by using a big channel locks so I'm going to try something else, any ideas?

Oh, and just a heads up for those of you that haven't done this "Service A" maintenance before... make sure you use a large enough pan to accomodate the 8 quartz of used oil thats gonna come rushing out, otherwise you'd have a pool of used oil on the ground.

My cost so far:
$20.00 for the WIX 51226 oil filter
$6.19 per qt. of 0W-40 Mobil 1 motor oil (8 qtz.total)

Moviela

Is the WIX filter a fleece type? If not, you cannot rely on safely reaching the extended drain interval without forming sludge. You can buy the proper Mann filter from Performance Products in Van Nuys. $ 16.

The oil filter cover is plastic. It needs a special tool to remove it and install it. When installing it there is a specified torque. If you don't tighten it properly, this can lead to broken covers, or worse. It always pays to have the right tool for the job.

Speaking of the right tool, a Mity-Vac is a good tool to have for removing the oil from your crankcase. Warm the engine, then open the oil filter cover, and suck the oil out through the dipstick tube. You won't spill on the ground, you don't need to crawl under the car to remove the cover, you don't need to remove the oil pan plug, you don't need to schlep down Avery Parkway to buy a new sealing ring for the plug, and you don't get your hands or driveway dirty. I carry the used oil in the Mity-Vac to dump it at the auto parts store.

pnoye2

Yup, you'd need a proper tool to remove the plastic cover... otherwise you'd end up breaking the damn thing, torque to 19 ft/lbs (25Nm).

For those of you that hadn't seen what the assembly looks like... well, here it is;

...w/o the filter...


...fully assembled with new filter and O-rings; showing OLD O-rings location on the assembly!

johnand

Pnoye, Thanks a bunch for the pics and the torque spec. I am getting ready to do my 1st oil change on my 07 and this info was very helpful

pnoye2

Glad I could help... also, I'm not here often but I see my fully assembled oil filter image is being put to good use in your thread