SImple Oil change at state inspection, a mess




I am of the opinion of giving them some work, if I want to take the state inspection.
So I was there as things were happening, nothing crazy happened and I supplied filter and new washers for both drain plugs.
I guess I'm to comfortable with these guys and didn't watch as they tightened the plugs back.
Now I have a bad leak at the drain plug of the oil cooler.
Obviously 3 possibilities:
1. Not tight enough
2. Seat of cooler plug cracked.
3. mercedesgenuineparts gave me the wrong washer for the cooler, although I gave them the correct part number. Those two came loose in a zip lock bag.
So anyway, I saw even last time that more experienced mechanics are intimidated by the drain plug of the cooler and tend to under tighten as everything around there seems to be aluminum.
In case anyone else has this problem, tell the mechanic to torque the bolts.
SO:
Cooler drain bolt is 15 Nm
Oil pan bolt is 30 Nm
As I type this, I'm thinking... to small is the factory torque for my bolt to be under tightened at the cooler, I'm thinking cracked cooler...
I'm off to check with the torque wrench..








Now I have to figure out a repair over the winter. If anyone has any suggestions for an insert or something else I would appreciate it. I am worried about getting filings in the oil cooler itself and perhaps causing further damage.
GL with yours Vladds.
I believe I was given the wrong washer as well. It was a copper washer and would work if you could torque it down enough but I am sure the original and subsequent washers I used were aluminum.




Was undertightened.
The proper torque made the screw turn 3 quarters of a turn.
I ran the car on the jacks for 10 minutes, I don't see oil coming out anymore.
Next time I'll have the torque value with me and ask him to torque it.
On to checking oil level and cleaning the driveway now...




Now I have to figure out a repair over the winter. If anyone has any suggestions for an insert or something else I would appreciate it. I am worried about getting filings in the oil cooler itself and perhaps causing further damage.
GL with yours Vladds.
I believe I was given the wrong washer as well. It was a copper washer and would work if you could torque it down enough but I am sure the original and subsequent washers I used were aluminum.
Did you price a replacement cooler?
Don't go for a used one, there is never enough of a guarantee that the used one you buy did not experience bearing material debris from a busted engine.
The metal flakes can never be cleaned out of there and wait patiently inside the cooler to be connected to the oil stream of a new engine, so that they can jump out of the cooler and into...
Now I have to figure out a repair over the winter. If anyone has any suggestions for an insert or something else I would appreciate it. I am worried about getting filings in the oil cooler itself and perhaps causing further damage.
GL with yours Vladds.
I believe I was given the wrong washer as well. It was a copper washer and would work if you could torque it down enough but I am sure the original and subsequent washers I used were aluminum.
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Did you price a replacement cooler?
Don't go for a used one, there is never enough of a guarantee that the used one you buy did not experience bearing material debris from a busted engine.
The metal flakes can never be cleaned out of there and wait patiently inside the cooler to be connected to the oil stream of a new engine, so that they can jump out of the cooler and into...
A new cooler is a possibility, if the more practical repairs fail. I imagine a new cooler will be a few $$$ but I will check it out before I do anything else just to be sure.
I am not sure I will be able to get the bolt out again. I will definitely check out my options before I try.
Not changing the oil in the cooler might also be an option for the relatively small amount of oil that drains out of it.
Thanks guys.
















So the drain-back would happen with hot oil but may not happen with cold oil.
bentz69, my Dumb question for the day - Are you undoing the Oil Cooler drain plug as well, or only the Oil Pan drain plug, when you do this?
Regards
Homer
Try for yourself. If using the mityvac or draining directly from the pan then drain the oil when the car is level and wait for it to stop. Then Jack the car up and wait for the remaining oil to drain back from the cooler into the pan and out the hole or start pumping the mityvac again. You'll get an extra quart.
Just remember that since you now drained the oil cooler you'll have to add that additional quart back
Thank You for that additional info bentz69.
Not being previously familiar with them, is this the Mityvac unit you blokes use?
https://mityvac.com.au/product/mityv...uid-evacuator/
Regards
Homer





