FML - one lousy screw...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,966
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
FML - one lousy screw...
This is on my '99 E55. Replacing the thermostat which requires removing the oil cooler bolted to the oil filter housing.
Remove serpentine belt, use long needle-nose pliers to remove coolant hose clamps attaching the flexible coolant lines to the oil cooler hard lines. Remove oil cooler with one screw an absolute PITA to remove of the four on the cooler.
Install new thermostat, install new flexible lines, install new O-rings on oil cooler, begin the reinstall of the oil cooler. That PITA screw went "tink!" and disappeared into the recesses of the engine.
Full stop until I can drive to the dealer and pick up an M4x8x1.0mm internal torx screw...
Remove serpentine belt, use long needle-nose pliers to remove coolant hose clamps attaching the flexible coolant lines to the oil cooler hard lines. Remove oil cooler with one screw an absolute PITA to remove of the four on the cooler.
Install new thermostat, install new flexible lines, install new O-rings on oil cooler, begin the reinstall of the oil cooler. That PITA screw went "tink!" and disappeared into the recesses of the engine.
Full stop until I can drive to the dealer and pick up an M4x8x1.0mm internal torx screw...
Last edited by bbirdwell; Dec 14, 2025 at 06:07 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 583
2005 e55 AMG
That sucks and have been there probably a hundred times as a tech. My moto was always "no bolt left behind" and did everything within reason to get it back LOL
There where times when I believed that a black hole some how formed itself and sucked up the bolt into never never land because with multiple guys looking and snake cameras .....it was gone !!
Good times fixing cars !!
There where times when I believed that a black hole some how formed itself and sucked up the bolt into never never land because with multiple guys looking and snake cameras .....it was gone !!
Good times fixing cars !!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
I feel you OP! Been there too many times to count over the decades. MB designs hiding spots with powerful magnets to catch the small fasteners and one of a kind electrical clips, small brackets which lose magnetism during the fourth (never sooner!) test drive such that they are released into the alternator, accessory drive and very intermittently into the intake air; post air filter even though you never had the intake air plumbing off.
Good times.
Good times.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 341
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
Anything high-grade with a quality anti-corrosive coating would work.
I had a few spares of the SC fill screw at the ready (found a match at a local store) when changing the oil after gauging how tiny the screw was and how the tight angle to reach it was.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,315
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Picked up what may be the last four screws in the US. Rene the parts guy (who I always greet with, "Rene, my friend, my buddy, my pal!" ) came through for me
Now I have to cut down a wrench, attach a flexible rubber hose, and then I can install the screw by weaving the tool around the back of the hard lines...
Now I have to cut down a wrench, attach a flexible rubber hose, and then I can install the screw by weaving the tool around the back of the hard lines...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
If you have the specs, why not try to find a match at a hardware store?
Anything high-grade with a quality anti-corrosive coating would work.
I had a few spares of the SC fill screw at the ready (found a match at a local store) when changing the oil after gauging how tiny the screw was and how the tight angle to reach it was.
Anything high-grade with a quality anti-corrosive coating would work.
I had a few spares of the SC fill screw at the ready (found a match at a local store) when changing the oil after gauging how tiny the screw was and how the tight angle to reach it was.
