mkspear32

Hey guys, has anyone changed the air cleaner on the 2014 ML350 3.6L gas? Looks like you have to have some special pliers to get the intake apart??

Hope someone can give me some advice on this.

TIA
Mike

Plutoe

Nothing special---maybe you are over thinking a very basic job!!


However if you like removing things search click-r pliers!!

M~Factor

Are you talking about the last screw closest to the firewall?

mkspear32

No, the need for click-R pliers to remove the rubber boot from the air cleaner assembly. I don't think that you can open the clam that holds the air cleaner up enough to make the change even if you can get the screw out in the rear.

I was wondering if anyone had tried it on this year ML350? My 2016 GLE350 is the same way. So I don't want to screw up the job and wanted to gather as much information as I could before digging in.

TIA
Mike

JRHolt

You can perform this task without the click-R pliers because you do not need to remove the whole filter housing assembly. You just remove the three screws at the top of the filter housing, disconnect the duct and tilt the cover out and off. You now have access to the filter element. I have attached the MB WIS instructions to this post in a .PDF file.

Personally I like to remove the whole assembly so I can clean it every time I change the filter. The click-R pliers are really cheap and come in handy if you do your own maintenance. It all depends on how you want to perform this task as to whether you use the pliers or not.

Here is a post by Shagin Wagon with a DIY on how to change the filter: Changing ML350 (W166) engine air filter (3.5L V6 gas engine)

mkspear32

Thank you! I did get a pair of Click-R pliers on Amazon for $12 and removed the entire assembly quite easily and your right the box needed cleaning with tons of dead bugs/junk in it. Was very easy operation with the pliers and the clamp was not damaged and was reused.

JRHolt

That's great!! Yes I find it easier to just remove the entire assembly. Those clamps are made to be reusable so you should not have any problems with it. I have changed my filter several times already

rhungent

Glad to hear that it is an easy procedure. Quick question...

1. How do you get duct off housing. Do you just push on the tabs? and do you need to remove the snorkel duct from the front of the engine bay?

2. Air flow connector. Do you push down on the grey tab or pull up. Just do not want to break it as mentioned in another post.

RH.

mkspear32

Yes I took off the front duct by just pushing in on the tabs and removed it from the engine bay.
The small air flow connector easily comes off by just prying it up with a screw driver, it pops up and then comes out easily. To replace just push it back in and it snaps back in place when the small clip is pushed back down.

rhungent

Thanks!
Just change engine filter for the first time...took 37min including photos.
Did not need to remove the entire housing, just opened the cover and NO special tools!
I'll post photos in a new thread.
Richard

jaketuff

Does anyone know the part # for the little gray tabs that retain the clips for the IAT Sensor???

Thank you.