Oil leak around oil filter cap
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Oil leak around oil filter cap
Changed my oil a few months ago. At the time, I couldn't find a fleece filter locally so I used a paper one from the local auto parts store.
In the meantime, I ordered a few proper fleece filters online.
Recently started noticing oil on the floor of my garage. Opened the hood and it looked like oil had dripped down from where the oil filter assembly is attached to the engine. So, I changed the filter and the 4 o-rings with the new fleece filter set from Mann.
A few days later and I'm still seeing oil on the floor of my garage. Anyone experience something like this before ? It still looks to me like oil is coming down from where the oil filter is located.
In the meantime, I ordered a few proper fleece filters online.
Recently started noticing oil on the floor of my garage. Opened the hood and it looked like oil had dripped down from where the oil filter assembly is attached to the engine. So, I changed the filter and the 4 o-rings with the new fleece filter set from Mann.
A few days later and I'm still seeing oil on the floor of my garage. Anyone experience something like this before ? It still looks to me like oil is coming down from where the oil filter is located.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Since you changed the o-rings, my guess would be that you have all kinds of oil that has collected at the bottom of the plastic underbody.
Get under there, remove it and clean it up.
Then there's always the possibility that the composite filter cap is cracked.
If there doesn't appear to be any "new" oil seeping from the cap area, then it's just the oil that has collected at the bottom.
Let me know!
Get under there, remove it and clean it up.
Then there's always the possibility that the composite filter cap is cracked.
If there doesn't appear to be any "new" oil seeping from the cap area, then it's just the oil that has collected at the bottom.
Let me know!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Pretty sure I got 8.5 quarts out when I drained it. But no dipstick on this car. Oil level is checked with car off, ignition "on" through the driver information center. And it checks out OK although I don't know if it could report overfill or not.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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2003 E320
Probably a long shot but I managed to slide the large o ring past the groove to the very top of the filter cannister. It does not belong there. A cartoon print is included with Mann filters to show the proper location. If you had done this, you would get a lot more than oil puddling on the garage floor. The engine lost 2 quarts of oil in about 100 miles. Still, it might be worth checking.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
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From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
This has happened to me earlier this year. Somehow I did not tighten the plastic filter cap enough and that caused the oil to leak out. Tighten the cap the clean the under body plastic cover.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Probably a long shot but I managed to slide the large o ring past the groove to the very top of the filter cannister. It does not belong there. A cartoon print is included with Mann filters to show the proper location. If you had done this, you would get a lot more than oil puddling on the garage floor. The engine lost 2 quarts of oil in about 100 miles. Still, it might be worth checking.
Yep - I paid particular attention to where that large o-ring goes and I'm certain I put it in the correct place. But thanks for the suggestion.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Is there a torque spec for it if you do have the correct tool and use a torque wrench?
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
I have the tool that snaps onto a socket wrench but prior to that I hand tightened and had no leaks. You may need to clean the threads and grove for the main o-ring to ensure it's seating and sealing properly. One other thought, are you sure you're not get some leakage from your oil filler cap..........it also has a rubber seal that can loose its pressure to prevent seepage. I bought a replacement cap last year to ensure no seepage on my engine. The rubber seal is permanently attached so you have to buy a replacement cap that's inexpensive. I learned from an expert Volvo mechanic I use for Volvo V70 that the rubber seal should be replaced peridically to prevent leakage on the engine..........likewise the metal gasket on the oil drain plug should be replaced during each oil change. I don't know if my Benz has a metal gasket on the oil drain plug since I've never changed the oil myself...........does anyone know?
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From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
About a couple of years ago, I was in either Autozone or Pep Boys looking for some tool to tighten the cap because the hand tighten method is just not enough, and adjustable oil filter wrench I used was scratching the plastic cap badly. I saw an adjustable belt-type wrench and figured that should do the trick. The set came with two, a large one and a smaller one. I keep the smaller one in the kitchen to open tight jars and the large one in the garage for the cap or any other purposes. They work great and very easy to use!
Last edited by Flash Gordon; Dec 22, 2009 at 03:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
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From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Thanks for all the replies. After installing the new Mann filter and o-rings, I haven't seen any evidence of new leaks around the oil filter cap and have never seen any evidence of leaking around the filler cap. Had a little more oil on the floor for a few days but that did appear to be residual oil on the plastic under pans.
I do think I need to tighten the cap a little more though to prevent future leaks. Does this appear to be the correct wrench?
"Mercedes Benz Oil Filter Socket Wrench Cup Tool 84mm"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=250539885630
I do think I need to tighten the cap a little more though to prevent future leaks. Does this appear to be the correct wrench?
"Mercedes Benz Oil Filter Socket Wrench Cup Tool 84mm"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=250539885630
Last edited by Eich; Dec 22, 2009 at 08:22 PM.
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From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Tightening
The spec for my 05 E320 CDI filter is 27nm and I use that part plus a torque wrench. Also, I add my oil to the filter housing while the filter is out. It seems to go in the engine faster. You have to be a little careful because the housing is at an angle and it is easy to add too much at a time and it will drip over the edge. I solved that problem by making sure I had a spotlight in my garage aimed at the filter housing and I just take my time. No spills anymore.
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 421
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
I do think I need to tighten the cap a little more though to prevent future leaks. Does this appear to be the correct wrench?
"Mercedes Benz Oil Filter Socket Wrench Cup Tool 84mm"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=250539885630
"Mercedes Benz Oil Filter Socket Wrench Cup Tool 84mm"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=250539885630
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...Q5fAccessories
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
2010 ML350 GAS 4Matic
Not sure that's the right one. I bought from a site that states it fits the W211.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...Q5fAccessories
