Oil filter cap is stuck
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
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2008 GL 450
Oil filter cap is stuck
Does anyone have any pointers for getting a stick oil filter cap off? I’ve tried the strap wrench and the 74-76mm cap socket. The strap won’t budge it and the cap socket spins on the slick plastic.
Along these lines, I also air up the front airbags for more clearance to the underside. Is it ok to leave these aired up overnight? Please let me know.
2008 GL 450
Along these lines, I also air up the front airbags for more clearance to the underside. Is it ok to leave these aired up overnight? Please let me know.
2008 GL 450
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Joined: Jan 2010
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Does anyone have any pointers for getting a stick oil filter cap off? I’ve tried the strap wrench and the 74-76mm cap socket. The strap won’t budge it and the cap socket spins on the slick plastic.
Along these lines, I also air up the front airbags for more clearance to the underside. Is it ok to leave these aired up overnight? Please let me know.
2008 GL 450
Along these lines, I also air up the front airbags for more clearance to the underside. Is it ok to leave these aired up overnight? Please let me know.
2008 GL 450
Cleaning it with some brake/carb cleaner might get you some purchase on it.
It's perfectly fine to leave your car in the raised position overnight to get better underside access.
If you are somehow airing up just the fronts by some other means than the onboard suspension compressor, that is not fine.
May I recommend a topsider vacuum oil extractor if you're going to be doing your own oil changes.
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
It sounds like your cap socket is either too big or possibly inferior quality where it is deflecting/bending. Possibly a better (74mm ONLY) cap socket... or maybe a steel band filter wrench. If you still can't get it, you could try using a "toothed" oil filter wrench (looks like a big slipjoint pliers) on top of the strap wrench or cap socket to keep from buggering up the filter cap. If not - try the wrench directly on the filter cap - it won't bugger it up too much.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 57
13 GL350, 14 SL550
Few tips:
Make sure your cap wrench is a good one. Look on Amazon for example.. some look like a solid piece of metal, where others are stamped out of thin steel. I had the thin steel kind and it didn't work all the time as it flexed. If yours is the thickness of a soup can, get rid of it and get the solid style. Most (not all) of the cheap ones are black, and the better ones were silver if I recall correctly.
If you have the correct wrench, it should work fine. Try slipping a small piece of sandpaper between the wrench and cap if it's slipping and see if that helps (you may have to lightly tap the wrench on with a hammer but do it gently)
If all else fails and even the strap wrench doesn't work, order another cap and use a pair of large water pump pliers to grab the cap and open it. It will definitely work but you will chew up the cap. If you tighten it back on it will be hard to get off again (you can't use the cap wrench as the top will be deformed)
I have personally found the strap wrench won't work at all. The proper cap wrench is the way to go.
Make sure your cap wrench is a good one. Look on Amazon for example.. some look like a solid piece of metal, where others are stamped out of thin steel. I had the thin steel kind and it didn't work all the time as it flexed. If yours is the thickness of a soup can, get rid of it and get the solid style. Most (not all) of the cheap ones are black, and the better ones were silver if I recall correctly.
If you have the correct wrench, it should work fine. Try slipping a small piece of sandpaper between the wrench and cap if it's slipping and see if that helps (you may have to lightly tap the wrench on with a hammer but do it gently)
If all else fails and even the strap wrench doesn't work, order another cap and use a pair of large water pump pliers to grab the cap and open it. It will definitely work but you will chew up the cap. If you tighten it back on it will be hard to get off again (you can't use the cap wrench as the top will be deformed)
I have personally found the strap wrench won't work at all. The proper cap wrench is the way to go.
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
I wonder why? I have done 5 oil changes so far with this GL and have ONLY ever used a strap wrench with no issues. I've got 171K on a '97 BMW and have used the strap wrench with the same success. I pre-oil the o-rings and only tighten the filter cap by hand.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,120
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
The right tool is key.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Pretty much on every German vehicle with a similar plastic cap for the oil filter housing, the specified tightening torque is 25nm. Many have this figure molded into the plastic.
Did mine yesterday ... It’s pretty obvious when the cap “bottoms” on the housing. Almost the instant it bottoms, 25nm was achieved. This is not a procedure for muscles. Not a bad idea to oil the o-ring. 25 nm is NOT 25 ft-lb.
Did mine yesterday ... It’s pretty obvious when the cap “bottoms” on the housing. Almost the instant it bottoms, 25nm was achieved. This is not a procedure for muscles. Not a bad idea to oil the o-ring. 25 nm is NOT 25 ft-lb.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Does anyone have any pointers for getting a stick oil filter cap off? I’ve tried the strap wrench and the 74-76mm cap socket. The strap won’t budge it and the cap socket spins on the slick plastic.
Along these lines, I also air up the front airbags for more clearance to the underside. Is it ok to leave these aired up overnight? Please let me know.
2008 GL 450
Along these lines, I also air up the front airbags for more clearance to the underside. Is it ok to leave these aired up overnight? Please let me know.
2008 GL 450
