Changed the oil this weekend on the 2012 GL550, every single time I change the oil, the middle rubber seal is broken into bits, luckily I got all the pieces but I`m afraid it will get sucked in and cause some issues, anybody else have this issue?

I always lubricate and wet the filter with fresh oil before attaching it to the cap then install it. The other 2 are completely fine, just this middle one is always broken and my intervals are not that long, between 5 to 6K, never exceed 6K.

Never have this issue with my W212 which has the same engine with smaller displacement.

Any ideas, suggestions or insight greatly appreciated.

 

I've probably done at least 20 M273 oil changes, and never had that issue. Is there something on the plastic channel the o ring fits in or on the metal hole in the oil filter housing it fits into that is grabbing the o ring when you thread the cap back in? Maybe check to see if the o ring is damaged right after you screw in a new filter?

 

Exactly, same here probably this my 129th oil change on M272-273 and this never happens on my E Class.
This time I put extra oil on the filter, pushed it slowly in to cap, o-ring slipped from the channel, pulled the filter out, fixed the o-ring, pushed it again, did the same thing, after a 4th try by spinning and pushing the filter it was in place and then I threaded to housing, its a good idea to take it out today or tomorrow to see if its already broken, thank you, I`ll give it a try.

 

Never happened to me either. You said you lubricate the rubber o rings with oil so they don't tear? What oil filters are you using?

 

Mann this time but last time it was Hengst and still the same issue. Always on this car, never on my W212, thats why I`m scratching my head....

 

I always use Mann or OE MB filters. Again, never had an issue. Check the interior surface as there may be something that is tearing the seals. It's strange. If that's not it, I would suggest staying with a Mann fleece filter as I've been using them for 30 plus years and over a million miles with no issues.

 

Mann filter, never had this issue.

I did try Napa gold a couple times and it would collapse, so back to Mann.

 

Honestly, any time I`d use something from Napa, I`d be parked on the side of the road with my flashers on
Owned 6 or 7 MBs last 25 years and never put any Napa parts on any of them, either from FCP, PelicanParts or dealer.
I don`t think that tiny rubber piece would cause a huge issue but I dont want to be that guy finds out the hard way, I`ll dig in to this issue more next couple of days or this weekend.
Thank you all of you again for the input, truly appreciated.

 

Try getting a new filter assembly (see below). These are hard plastic that can bend and it might be a matter of a misaligned holder thats bent overtime and with heat or the guides that hold the O ring are worn or broken causing the ring to move and tear. They're inexpensive.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...ver-2721800038

 

I was thinking the same thing as Black after reading your first post.

-- You'd notice if something was amiss inside the filter. Besides, that would also affect the lower o-ring.
-- It's highly unlikely that you keep getting a "bad" middle o-ring. That would just be the absolute dumbest luck there is.
-- Same unlikliness (is that a word?) goes for the filter.
-- The only remaining variable is the holder, itself. The groove must not be "holding" the o-ring well enough and allowing it to slip out... maybe the shoulder of the groove is at fault?

 

Those are valid points and yes you are right, this particular vehicle always has this issue, its highly unlikely that I`m having bad o-rings or filters, I buy them at bulk from FCP and just happened the change the oil on my W212 this weekend and filter slide in like butter, o-ring was in place, paid extra attention this time everything was in place.
I`m still supposed to take the filter out and take another look at that o-ring one of these days but busy schedule did not allow me yet.
Regardless, I still need to put an order for a filter holder along with sway bar links these days.
Thanks again for all the valuable input.