superangrypenguin

This has been nagging me for a bit. Fairly certain that I'm right about this

Is there a "top" or a "Bottom" when replacing the oil filter back into the housing?

I understand there are two horizontal lines on the filter, and that if placed correctly, one will not be visible.

However, just to be sure, is there a top/bottom or a right way up for the filter element?

Danke

Carsy

It does not matter on my diesel but I do place the filter in with the brand name showing.

Check & note the way it comes out.

edgalang

For the M276 you can only put it 1 way. For the M272, I hope not, since I didn't notice a top or bottom when working on another M272 W204.

Adi-Benz

youtube will help you

superangrypenguin

There has been no reference to a top or bottom for the oil filter. I relied on youtube extensively, and no mention of this was made.

Then again there was no mention of oil remaining in the sump for those using oil extraction without the fancy adapter, so Youtube is clearly not the be all and end all when it comes to a source...

nelson g

In the box that the oil filter comes in there is an instruction sheet, more of a picture showing that when installing the filter the line on the filter needs to be below the thread part of the housing. If you notice when installing you have to give it a little shove to get it past that point. Maybe it's because when you thread the housing back on if the oil filter is not properly seated you won't be able to thread the housing full.

Just a thought

superangrypenguin

Eh?

You can achieve the result (as per the sheet) both ways...

Adi-Benz

when I did mine, the youtube video pointed out which way should be the top and thats how I did mine. idk

superangrypenguin

Lots of Utube videos out there. Any idea which one you used?

Thanks!

Just204

Unless there is a noticeable difference between top and bottom I seriously doubt it matters. If there was a top and bottom I gurranty this would have been covered previously.

superangrypenguin

Follow up from my secretary

"As requested, we have contacted the Mercedez Benz Oakville and they have confirmed that there is no direction to the oil filter. It can be installed either way. "

Colin G

Don't buy your filters at the dealer. Amazon is half the price for the Mann filter which is exactly the same thing.

2 for 1. It is probably overkill but I use 2 filters per oil change. I throw a clean one in there after around 3 - 5 thousand kilometers.

Just204

I change my filter every 5k or in the middle of changes

superangrypenguin

The problem is that you can't prove the dealer oil filter is exactly the same as the Mann filter. - and my car is still under warranty so i'm not going to chance* a denial for an engine failure claim.

Also, everyone on Amazon says the Mann cabin air filter is the same. - so I bought one, and I bought a dealer air filter.

The Mann filter had 4 or so less folds in the element than the OEM filter.

So is it exactly the same for the oil filter? Maybe, maybe not.

*spelling error: chance - not change.

Just204

Buy OEM when it comes to the oil filter, don't mess around with something so important. And for what? save 5-10 bucks? if thats a deal breaker for someone who owns a Mercedes IDK what to say....

Stick with only approved oils/filters and strictly follow oil intervals and your much safer under warranty. Just have "solid" documentation it was done right. I know someone who drove a leased c63 3k over the oil change interval and blow a piston through the block (probably crappy tune), guess who payed for a new engine lol....

Air filters? meh, not nearly as big a deal so I don't think it's a issue for me on aftermarket as long as it has carbon infused into it.

Demvang

Doesn't the OEM oil filter stamp HU 718/5 and MANN FILTER on it?

superangrypenguin

Yes but the mann filter has no reference to the MB part. (no part number etc)

B737

Mann HU718 and MB part are identical.
had them side by side on the bench and there is no difference.

cabin filters are not the same.

superangrypenguin

Again saving $3 isn't the goal of the game here.

I didn't mention if they LOOKED identical here but if they ARE identical. Without asking mann or without studying them extensively you have NO idea,

B737

i never said anything about $3 or how they looked. I said they were the same. Did I flow test them? no. But in every other respect they are identical.

ppl dont buy the Mann filter because it saves a few dollars, they buy it because it can be at their door step in 24-48 hours vs schlepping to a dealership. MB doesnt have a special oil filter division where they sprinkle magic pixie dust and make their branded filter different from off the shelf Mann fleece filter.

superangrypenguin

Absent of proof, as self disclosed, makes your post stupid.

MB may very well spec filters produced by MANN to be slightly different. Without testing your post suggesting they are the same is silly.

B737

what exactly is there to test?

its a paper filter element. pleat count, paper, glue pattern, size, construction, cross section, all identical between the two. you dont have to take my word for it. cut two of them open on your work bench and see for yourself (warning, you might get dirty). i could understand your inquiry if they were canned filters with check valves, springs, ect, but its a paper filter element. what are you looking for here?

superangrypenguin

What a stupid post.

Can you look at pleat count with your naked eye? Forgive me that using your eye to see if two filters are the same is sufficient.

It is not for me. You stick with your mann filters and i'll stick with OEM. Problem solved.

B737

im not the guy asking if the filter has a top and bottom lol

and yes you can actually see the pleats with your naked eye, imagine that.

just keep the hood shut, it might be best you drop your truck off at the dealer for service.

Just204

No need to be that mean man lol. A lot of people out there don't realize the tech that goes into something that looks so simple. Unless Mann or any other aftermarket filter brand comes out with documentation showing same composition, same flow rates, same filtration effectiveness to particle size, and same break down resistance, I'll go and buy the OEM filter.

FYI, almost gurranty OEM filters are synthetic fiber....