Serndipity

Getting a oil puddle on the floor (under area of oil filter). Used MB filter kit. Strange thing is that it came with 5 O-rings and you only need 4 (the extra was a mid sized one).

Have the following questions.

1. Does it make any difference which way the filter element is installed?

The element did not have an end marked as the top (1 end was only marked with part numbers...so it seems it can be put on in either direction.

2. Does the factory oil filter kit normally come with 5 O-rings?

Seems the last time I changed it the kit only came with the 4 required O-rings. Now I'm wondering if the kit came with the wrong O-rings (i.e. QA issue). After checking to make sure the large O-ring for the cap was seated properly, it seems the edge might be extended a tad bit beyond the cap's edge (maybe O-ring is to thick or to big.

3. Would over tightening the cap cause a poor seal?

Thanks in advance.

Ed

2001 CLK320 Cab

CARLSS0N

did you put oil in the seal(the 4 o-ring) before you put it back? maybe your seal is broken because of over tighten

tomtomtomtom

It does only come with 4 rings.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/OilFilter2

Serndipity

Yes...I did put a thin coat of oil on the O-rings before installing them.


The last filter kit I bought came with only 4 O-rings (which is all that is required).

Getting an O-ring kit with 5 (extra mid sized O-ring) leads me to think there is a QA issue and the large top O-ring is the wrong size.

I'll call the parts dept. this morning to see what they have to say.

bbearden

Last filter I got had only 4 O-rings. Have you determined that the oil is leaking from the filter housing? Its highly unlikely that the crush washer came off the drain plug but that could potentially cause a problem if missing. What filters are you guys using? I have heard that the fleece filters are better for the extended interval services as opposed to the paper type.

str8ridin

Have you driven your car a lot after the oil change? If one of your o-rings is mis-seated (in the wrong groove), the pressure from the engine should make the oil spray out...not just leak. I would pull the filter and re-check if you used the right rings in the right place.

Also, if you haven't tourqued the filter properly, it could leak. Or you have a small crack in your filter housing (they are pretty thin) from using the wrong wrench to tighthen it, it could be leaking from there.....even a small pinhole.

Lastly, as bbearden said, if your drain plug/washer isn't put on all the way, you can be leaking from there.

I would just go to the dealer and tell them its leaking from somewhere and to find it and fix it. It'll be either free or up to $40, but its better than driving around and losing oil pressure.

Serndipity

bbearden wrote:

>Last filter I got had only 4 O-rings.

The last filter I got only had 4 rings too.

This one had 5 (the extra was a mid size ring). I been told that the new engines (i.e. 350) use the same element and 5 rings and for a 320, discard the extra ring.

>Have you determined that the oil is leaking from the filter housing?

No. That is an assumption I made because after the 1st puddle, I pulled the filter and found the upper large O-ring had slipped down over the threads of the cap (I know for sure it was installed up against the cap flange when I put it in). I re-seated it and noticed that it extended a tad beyond cpa's flange. Leaked again.

This morning I went back to the dealer and got another upper O-ring. It is a bit smaller and I removed the splash plate andwipped down th eunder carriage. We shall see (if I have a puddle tomorrow morning).

>Its highly unlikely that the crush washer came off the drain plug but that could potentially cause a problem if missing.

Where is the crush washer? Is it one of the O-rings?

Which one (see below)?

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/OilFilter2

>What filters are you guys using? I have heard that the fleece filters are better for the extended interval services as opposed to the paper type.

I bougth the filter kit from the dealer for $22 and it is the fleece type. I change the oil (Mobile 0W40) every 5,000 miles and the filter every 10,000.

On another note I've been changing my oil and filters for over 40 years and have only encountered one other problem.

It was on a 70's MB 220. The filter housing was mounted on the side and when I removed it, the threaded junction came out of the block with the filter.

Thank you for the info and please tell me more about the crush waher (in case I have a puddle tomorrow).

lowphat

Last time I DIY'd oil/filter change the filter I purchased from MB had 5 rings. I replaced the four that came off of my filter housing and discarded the 5th (extra) ring figuring it was just included by mistake. Then when I went to check the oil I noticed that the dipstick has what looks like an o-ring seal where it seats into the dipstick tube. I'd already thrown away the extra o-ring so I didn't really bother looking closely to see if in fact the dipstick o-ring comes off - but you might want to check as that might be where the 5th ring goes.

Serndipity

The extra O-ring that now comes with the filter kit is used with the new engines (i.e. 350) which use the same filter element.

Putting on a new large O-ring has solved the leaking problem.

It also dawned on me, after I asked where is the 'crush' washer (mentioned in a post above), it is used with the for the oil pan bolt (if one drains the oil with that method). I use a Top-Sider and suck out the oil through the dip stick pipe.

bbearden

Yes, the crush washer is the brass washer on the oil pan bolt. I, like you, use the topsider so I don't have to bother with the drain plug. Out of curiosity, why do you change the oil at 5K miles but wait till 10K to do the filter? I know that MB says we can do the FSS service and change the oil at 10K. I notice that my oil is still very clean at around 6K miles.

Serndipity

Good question.

Guess it's from the days of changing dino oil every 3,000 miles.

However, from the following site:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/links.html

Looks like Mobile 1 is good to 18,000 miles and most wear occurs when oil is new.

bbearden

I hear ya. Bout that time yet to put the CLK away for the winter? I'm actually moving out to Boston in January so my goal is to get something with AWD and put her away for the winter. Ought to be a fun drive out there in late Jan!

Serndipity

Have been driving the 2001 CLK320 Cab year round (only car). Have had both better and worst handling cars in snow.

A lot depends on the tires. The Continetal OEM tires were pretty bad. Replaced them with Bridgestone Contact TA which made a huge improvement (one of top rated tires on Tirerack.com and cost less than $400 for a set of 4).

A lot depends on where you live too. I live on Boston's Northshore, on the ocean and we get less snow and it's wet and melts quickly.

bbearden

Thanks Ed. I'm pretty used to winter driving so I'll be fine. Right now I'm running Kumho Ecsta ASX's. I'm moving to the Concord/Bedford/Lexington area so perhaps our paths will cross while I'm out there.

Silverbillet

Sorry, newbie here.

Is it better to use a topsider than draining from the plug at the oil pan, like most cars? Why do most people use the topsider? Is it better and how so? Where can I buy one for a reasonable price? Thanks ahead.

Serndipity

I've read some posts that claim it gets out more oil (e.g. after draining from the oil sump, they sucked out a bit more oil).

I find it easier. Can do everything from the top and don't have to get the car up on a ramp and remove the splash barrier.

Most Marine stores (i.e. West Marine) sell Top Siders (used to remove oil in boat engines) and they run about $50.

Silverbillet

Thank Ed.

99clk320guy

When I changed the oil and filter on my 320 I noticed 5 o-ring gaskets (extra middle size) instead of the 4, inside the filter box. Instead of discarding the fifth one ,as I now read that I should have, I installed it. Would it be safe to remove the filter housing and take off the 5th gasket or would the removal and re-installation of the housing damage the other gaskets. Should I just leave it as is since its not leaking? Thanks.

newguy2008

Where did you install it? There is not a place for it to go.

99clk320guy

it fit snugly next to the other middle gasket on the filter housing . thats why, before reading these threads, i thought was the reason the 5th gasket was in the mann filter box.