As stated, I have a leak coming from where the lip of the oil filter cover and the seal meet. I noticed there is a small space in the lip of the cover where the leak is. It seems to be part of the original design, but I'm wondering if it could possibly get worn away somehow, or if its just a bad seal. Here is some back info:

I started doing my own oil changes, and the first couple of times I used an aftermarket brand. Nothing cheap, just easily accessible. The first time I had no issues, that I noticed. The 2nd oil change I did was when I first noticed the leak, and this was closer to the time I was due for another change. Upon some inspection, I saw where oil had been leaking down the side of the housing(?) under where the filter sits. I decided I'd order an OEM mb filter and hopefully that would solve the problem.
2 things I did wrong: I did not have a torque wrench, so obviously not torqued to spec. Next, I did not check to see if there was a leak after a got it changed. I truly thought it was a minor issue that would have been fixed with the proper equipment.(I now have a torque and realize how foolish I was without) So, I go to my friends house that night. The next day he sends me a pic of a huge oil spot where I was parked. Turns out the leak was worse.
I began to question the severity, and locations of the leak. I spoke with a local mechanic I know, and we went back and forth about what it might be, ending with possibly costing me a few thou to have fixed. I stepped back and have been thinking. After I got the filter torqued to spec, it is still leaking from that same spot. It is a constant flow that could easily drain a large amount of oil in a rather short period.
I have wanted to clean out the engine compartment where oil and dirt and been flung around to see if there are any other leaks that need addressing. With the severity of the leak I have explained, I don't see the point until it has been taken care of.

Could it be that the seal has been compromised due to being taken on and off a few times? Could that gap in the lip of the cover have been compromised somehow? Is there anything else I'm missing in regards to this specific leak? Any and all help and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.



Tried to send the vid, but this is the constant flow. It is that non-stop.

 

Judging by the scrape marks on the filter housing, you (or someone before you) was obviously using the wrong tools and most likely over-tightened it past the point of no return. Get a new filter housing and seal, get yourself a proper 84 74mm, 14 flute oil filter housing socket / wrench so you don't destroy the new one as well, clean everything up and make sure the mating surface where it screws in is not damaged, and in the future use the oil filter socket WITH a torque wrench and tighten to spec. There is a very good reason why specialized tools for the job exist and why Mercedes publishes a torque spec for it.

 

I drive the Bluetec version. So excuse my ignorance with the gasoline version, the seal on the Bluetec version is changed every single time an oil change is done. When you purchase an oil filter, that seal is always included. Is this not the same with the gasoline version?

 

Hi Etienne,

It is the same with the filter for both. Mercedes uses the same oil filter element in 90% of their cars (the gasoline version is 276 180 00 09 - the diesel filter is 642 180 00 09), and yes, it does come with the a new seal. I only mentioned it in case the filter and seal were recently changed and the OP wants to only change the housing. If it was over-tightened, the seal is likely ruined (pinched / stretched).

 

I think I had the wrong wrench size in my previous post... IIRC the gas M272 oil filter cap needs a 74mm wrench socket, and the diesel OM642 an 84mm. Double-check before you pull the trigger.