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Changing ML350 (W166) engine air filter (3.5L V6 gas engine)
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Changing ML350 (W166) engine air filter (3.5L V6 gas engine)
You will need the following:
- Air Filter (MB# 279 094 00 04). I used a Mann #C43139 equivalent.
- T-25 Torx screwdriver
- E-10 Torx female socket
- Clic-R hose clamp pliers (if you want to retain the OEM clamp)
Remove the engine front cover.
Remove front snorkel and flex boot.
Loosen hose clamp around airflow inlet to engine using clic-R pliers.
Remove (2x) torx bolts using E-10 female socket
Remove air flow sensor connector. There is a small gray tab/latch that needs to be lifted up to release the connector. Be gentle, you don't want to damage the air flow sensor.
Pull air filter housing from engine compartment.
Remove (3x) T-25 torx screws from top of air filter housing. You can then open the housing like a clam-shell.
Insert new filter.
Reverse the process .... your done!
- Air Filter (MB# 279 094 00 04). I used a Mann #C43139 equivalent.
- T-25 Torx screwdriver
- E-10 Torx female socket
- Clic-R hose clamp pliers (if you want to retain the OEM clamp)
Remove the engine front cover.
Remove front snorkel and flex boot.
Loosen hose clamp around airflow inlet to engine using clic-R pliers.
Remove (2x) torx bolts using E-10 female socket
Remove air flow sensor connector. There is a small gray tab/latch that needs to be lifted up to release the connector. Be gentle, you don't want to damage the air flow sensor.
Pull air filter housing from engine compartment.
Remove (3x) T-25 torx screws from top of air filter housing. You can then open the housing like a clam-shell.
Insert new filter.
Reverse the process .... your done!
Last edited by shagin wagon; 01-20-2014 at 06:50 PM.
#2
I am installing a K&N filter tomorrow and this info helped ! Thanks.
Where can I buy this ( Clip-R hose clamp pliers ) Any local store like HomeDepo ? LOWES ?
Thanks in advance......
Where can I buy this ( Clip-R hose clamp pliers ) Any local store like HomeDepo ? LOWES ?
Thanks in advance......
Last edited by SuPER__S; 01-15-2014 at 10:59 PM.
#6
2012 ML350 air filter change
Hi!! For that small "gray tab/latch" that needs to be lifted up to release the connector; do we push it down or push up? Isn't it "push down"? Thanks...
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#10
I discovered that the grey tab "pops" upwards with the help of a flat head screw driver. Place the head of the screwdriver under the lip of the tab and pry (gently) upwards. I was hesitant to use any tools here due to the advice to be gentle with this part. However, the tab would not release by hand.
#12
#13
Regarding the air flow sensor connector / grey tab: There is some slack in the wiring so you can (carefully) remove the air filter housing and place it on top of the engine without disconnecting the wire.
#14
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Location: Cape Cod MA
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2015 ML 350 4Matic gas
yikes I just broke the grey tab on the sensor. Did it with my thumb it was so brittle. Ended up not taking it off and just pushed the broken tab back in to hold the sensor down. Can this connector be replaced? Not sure where the other end of the wire goes as it is all tied up in a wire loom with other wires. what do you all suggest? just leave it as is? Splice in a new connector? I'm really bummed this happened. There is so much plastic in these vehicles must happen all the time as these cars age.
#18
I too broke that little lift handle tab on the sensor but the stem of the tab remained in place. It was in the 'up' position at the time so I was able to persuade the connector off and complete the filter replacement. Upon reassembly I pushed the tab stem down with a screwdriver to lock the connector back in place. I'm hoping that next time I need to remove this connector I'll be able to push on the the bottom of the stem with a hook tool or something similar.
To repeat jaketuff's questions - can this clip retainer be replaced without replacing the entire connector (looks like the wires to it head of into the nether regions of the engine compartment)? If so, does anyone know the part number?
As for clic-R pliers: I bought one from Amazon for about $11. Worked well.
To repeat jaketuff's questions - can this clip retainer be replaced without replacing the entire connector (looks like the wires to it head of into the nether regions of the engine compartment)? If so, does anyone know the part number?
As for clic-R pliers: I bought one from Amazon for about $11. Worked well.
Last edited by sams_6; 04-05-2019 at 09:20 AM.
#19
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Great M276 writeup, thanks.
#20
Member
This is probably the right way, but I did changed mine without removing entire air filter housing.
I only removed flexible pipe that is attached to the filter housing, then removed three T-25 Torx, and able to pull the filter out. It is a lot easier than thought...
I only removed flexible pipe that is attached to the filter housing, then removed three T-25 Torx, and able to pull the filter out. It is a lot easier than thought...
#21
Thanks MBSang. I'll try next time to replace filter without pulling off the sensor connector. I'll also try to see if I can use a paper clip or hook or something to lift my broken clip and post the results of that (will be useful for others whom have also snapped lever of the little gray clip).
#23
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
JohnnyC, are the terminals removable from the existing connector? i.e. can they be pushed out? Or does the old connector need to be cut off, wires stripped, new terminals crimped on, then inserted into the new connector?
Last edited by chassis; 07-20-2019 at 02:24 PM.
#24
Super Member
They are removable. The connectors are typically made by either Delphi or TE Connectivity. They have special tools designed to remove the terminals from certain housings, but this particular connector is very simple and can be removed with a pick. I might have an old picture of how to remove it, but TE Connectivity also has resources available to learn about how to disengage common terminals.
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chassis (04-11-2019)
#25
Great write up. Thank you for posting this. I'm not a master mechanic by any means. Very easy to do if you know what tools to use and what sequence to do it in.You just saved me a lot of money.