Quickhitch52

Does anyone know of a good source for an oil filter housing wrench with part number? Mine is an '98 SLK 230. I have tried a few local auto parts stores without any luck. On one post, they suggested Pepboys, but we don't have one in our city.

Also, there is an arrow pointing clockwise on the top of the plastic housing. This isn't left-handed threads is it? If the arrow wasn't there, I wouldn't be concerned, but I don't want to over tighten it trying to loosen it!

Thanks for any help............

awiner

How about picking one up from the dealer ? They are about $11.00 and made of cast aluminum.

Quickhitch52

My nearest dealer is 120 miles away, thus why I want to change the oil myself. I may have to revert to that.........Thanks..........quick

Quickhitch52

Well I'm a little slow responding to the thread, but I call my nearest dealer for the wrench. Got it in about 4 days and it is well worth it. Not a cheap tool, and it is the right one for the application. Thanks for the advice.

As far as changing the oil, it all went pretty well. Taking the shield off the bottom of the engine to get to the oil pan is a pain in the ***. That was absolutely the hardest part.

Thanks again, next time I might take it to the dealer anyway. I'm getting too old for this sh--!

DickB

Next time use a suction device. The car is designed for it; that's what your dealer will do. Much easier than under the car.

Brian_R170

Ditto to what ****B said. Buy a suction device (also caled an Oil Change Pump or an Oil Transfer Pump, available at local or online marine supply stores) to suck the oil out of the dipstick tube. That's how dealers do it (or at least that's how they're supposed to do it since MB designs their engines that way). cost anywhere from $30 to $150 but they save you from having to get under the car at all.


[Edit: That's funny, the forum censured D-i-c-k-B. He can have it as a username but we can't write it.]

electric blue

I prefer to change my oil from underneath. Changing your oil from underneath gives you a chance every 3 to 7 months to take a look at the bottom of your car. You see also the bottom cover you were mentioning can hold leaking oil that you might not be aware of. I do recommend you change the washer on your drain plug each time.

Quickhitch52

This is all great advice. I REALLY like the idea of a pump, but will it get ALL the oil out? Seems that it might leave some at the bottom of the oilpan from the dipstick opening. Perhaps that's not a big deal.

Any recommendation on a pretty good pump and where to get it?

Thanks all................Quick.......

Brian_R170

I was skeptical at first, too. When I was a member of the MBCA, one of their technical advisors recommended the suction method and he said it was better. When I got my '99 SLK230, I decided to test it. The first test, I pulled the drain plug, let it drain for 20 minutes, then put the suction probe down the dipstick tube and was able to suck out a couple ounce of old oil. The next time, I did it the other way around. I sucked the oil out of the dipstick tube, then pulled the drain plug. Not even one drop came out the drain hole. I was convinced.

There are many kinds of pumps, but here is a summary of the types:
1. Drill-powered ($20)
2. Manual ($20-$30)
3. Manual self-contained (vacuum pumps) ($40-$90)
4. Electric ($30 and up)
5. Electric self-contained ($120 and up)

As for pumps, one of the popular models is the Topsider. It's a manual vacuum pump and holds about 10 quarts of old oil. The downside is that it's rather slow and sometimes takes quite a bit of pumping. It's available at Boatus.com for anywhere between $35 and $60 depending on their current sale price.

Another is the Oil Boy and it's clones, it's also a manual vacuum pump, but a nicer design. There are a few capacities available, but you need one that holds at least 6 quarts for the 230 and 8 quarts for the 320/32. There is a 5.5L (6qt) model available at Griot's Garage for around $100, again depending on sale price.

I have a friend with a C280 that bought a Shurflo Waterwolf self-contained electric pump. He got it for $80 when it was being discontinued before the replacement model came out. It's really fast and easy, but the normal price was around $150.

I have a Topsider, but I also made my own electric self-contained unit by taking a cheaper electric pump and bolting it to the top of a 5-gallon plastic bucket with a pour spout. Cost less than $30, but not quite as nice as the $150 self-contained model.

geoff_r

Miti Vac makes a good one too. You can buy an adapter that fits the brake bleeder so you can suck out the fluid. I found one on the internet for around $70. I think Craftsman sells the same unit under their name.

Brian_R170

Yes, Miti Vac is one of the Oil Boy clones. If I recall correctly, the Miti Vac is slightly too small to hold all of the oil from the 320/32, but it will work nicely for the 230. I know it can be purchased for less than $50.

neynhoj

Do yourself a favor - learn from my mistake: Forget about Pep Boys or Autozone or Walmart universal adjustable wrench. The size "B" cap is too large also (another forum elsewhere says size "B" fits. It's slightly too large and will slip). The size you want is 74mm 14 flute, and ideally, you should invest in the genuine Mercedes part# 103-589-02-09-00 wrench. It's worth it.

yober37

I just phoned to local MB dealer and it is $64CAD plus Tax.