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Ontru
01-01-2012, 07:44 PM
~~~ Ontru's Oil Filter and Oil Change Guide ~~~

(1998 c230)

Hello! I did my first oil change today and decided I would record the process. I had to do a lot of fishing around for different bits of information and figured I would collect it all here so the next newb doesn't have to worry. Please feel free to message or reply with corrections or edits that I can make to further improve the guide.


1. Materials:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/400339_2597929139737_1000006940_32558654_680961951 _n.jpg

Basic: You will need a Funnel to transfer oil into the car and the used oil into a canister for disposal. You will need a Canister to store used oil. You will need an Oil Pan to drain the used oil from the car into. Lastly, I recommend a pair of gloves, and if you are doing this on your own driveway/property, a tarp of some sort for mistakes and spillage.

You will also need a means to lift the front of the car slightly. Most auto shops have ramps for decent prices. My neighbor fashioned ramps from wood which I used and I am sure that also can be done easily.

Oil:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/407586_2597930339767_1000006940_32558657_242249359 _n.jpg

- 6.5 Quarts of Mobile 1 Synthetic with adjustments according to the weather and climate. Living in California, I chose 0W-40.

-Make sure you locate a auto parts store or any facility that will take your used oil. Do not dump it into the street or into gutters.

Tools:
- 3/8 ratchet with a long extension.
- A oil filter wrench. I used a universal tool sold at my local autozone. This gave me a rough time and I had to put a thin piece of fabric inside the tool to initially remove the cover. I will be purchasing the Mercedes tool Tomorrow for future oil changes. My recommendation is to purchase this versus risking a universal tool. (part number 103 589 02 09 00).

This thing was a complete piece of shit. Should have bought from Mercedes to begin with.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/404643_2597930019759_1000006940_32558656_129205559 4_n.jpg

- You will also need a ratchet to remove the bolts of the splash guard underneath the car along with a head to remove the oil drainage bolt. As I am unsure whether it varies based on model, please let me know in a reply what works for your year and model.

Filter:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/408941_2597929619749_1000006940_32558655_167476679 9_n.jpg

A simple Google shopping search will leave you with a variety of cheap option.

Insert your car year and model:
http://tinyurl.com/6lwew78


2. Begin

- Start by driving the front of your Merc onto ramps or by lifting it. Make sure you have enough clearance to work under the car. Apply the emergency brake and use wheel blocks to further stop the car from moving.

- Begin by removing the plastic guard directly under the car. There will be four small screws with washer-like cover attached.

- Unscrew these and look for the two tongue holes highlighted in red. Push these through to remove the guard.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/393571_2597930579773_1000006940_32558658_162092177 7_n.jpg

Ontru
01-01-2012, 08:08 PM
3. Filter and Drainage

Located under the driver side (US) of the car will be the oil drain plug.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/409106_2597931059785_1000006940_32558659_183818310 1_n.jpg

Will look like this when removed. Has a small washer.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/386618_2597935459895_1000006940_32558669_514161485 _n.jpg

Loosen the oil plug and drain the oil into a clean drain pan under the car. The plug is located on the side of the oil pan. Let the oil drain and proceed to work on the Filter.

(The bolt is covered by the wrench adaptor)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/401305_2597931379793_1000006940_32558660_146628998 _n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/396886_2597934979883_1000006940_32558668_202421116 8_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/373805_2597934699876_1000006940_32558667_139209442 9_n.jpg

Ontru
01-01-2012, 08:15 PM
The filter is located to the front right of the engine cover.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/392669_2597931619799_1000006940_32558661_327177545 _n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/396463_2597932059810_1000006940_32558662_212201875 5_n.jpg

Go ahead and remove the filter using a oil filter wrench. It is recommended not to use a strap oil filter wrench to avoid braking the plastic oil filter housing.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/396002_2597932539822_1000006940_32558663_858856951 _n.jpg

The removed cover will look like this.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/394658_2597933459845_1000006940_32558665_148246121 9_n.jpg

Ontru
01-01-2012, 08:31 PM
Remove the old filter and the old seal.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/378966_2597932779828_1000006940_32558664_159906030 _n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/401396_2597934059860_1000006940_32558666_166819054 8_n.jpg

Attach and insert the new filter and seal. The old seal will be located on the cap. Remove it and replace it with the new seal. Cover the seal with a small coat of oil before placing it on the cover to prevent it from breaking.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/374305_2597935739902_1000006940_32558670_167552746 2_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/405955_2597936179913_1000006940_32558671_187282618 9_n.jpg

Ontru
01-01-2012, 08:37 PM
4. Finishing Up

After draining the oil. Place it in the canister for disposal. Put the drainage plug back in place.

Now you can begin to fill it with the oil you purchased.

Remove the cap on the top of the engine cover.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/400698_2597937139937_1000006940_32558673_139014644 6_n.jpg

Use the funnel to pour in the oil.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/377085_2597936739927_1000006940_32558672_176180097 _n.jpg

Replace the cap. Re-screw the plastic guard onto the bottom of your car (do the back screws first as the front have a small amount of room to move).

DONE! :D

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/374576_2597937339942_1000006940_32558674_155500896 5_n.jpg

I will be doing my front brakes Tomorrow!

Yujin
01-01-2012, 09:36 PM
Very good write up. I do my oil changes myself and enjoy getting that quality time with it ^^

I'm sure people will reference this in the future, I know I was looking for a similiar thread my first oil change but to no avail.

Ontru
01-01-2012, 09:42 PM
Thanks man!

Is it possible to make the images viewable to those who don't have accounts for this thread?

Yujin
01-01-2012, 09:53 PM
Yeah, but you have to have them hosted on a 3rd party site like Imageshack or Photobucket, I use facebook lol

Ontru
01-01-2012, 10:02 PM
Cool! Ill re-attach them with Facebook soon.

timmyj51
01-03-2012, 09:31 AM
They recommend you also change the drain plug washer every oil change. A replacement washer has been
included in every filter I've bought, but don't know about K & N (a brand I wouldn't use. Only Bosch/Mann for
my car).

Ontru
01-03-2012, 12:31 PM
I did have a replacement washer with my filter but strangely it was thinner then the OEM so I decided against using it.

Yujin
01-03-2012, 08:18 PM
How the hell do you keep your engine bay so clean? Lol

Looks good with all the pics there, I like the last pic, gives it that "JOB WELL DONE" feel to it lmao.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090210131612/fallout/images/archive/7/71/20090210131715!Thumbs-up.jpg

Sulaco
01-07-2012, 10:43 AM
How the hell do you keep your engine bay so clean? Lol

Looks good with all the pics there, I like the last pic, gives it that "JOB WELL DONE" feel to it lmao.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090210131612/fallout/images/archive/7/71/20090210131715!Thumbs-up.jpg

Fallout. Nice.

Notes for preupdate m104. Drain bolt is reverse threaded. Oil filter is on the back side of the engine, not the front.

Ontru
02-21-2012, 02:33 PM
How the hell do you keep your engine bay so clean? Lol

To be honest, I don't really do much. I think with the the engine bay its just KEEPING it clean. I did one thorough clean when I first bought it and now I just use a cloth and a bucket of water/light multi-purpose cleaner to wipe it down every couple of weeks.

martattack
02-25-2012, 06:23 AM
Stickied!

Ontru
02-25-2012, 01:58 PM
Stickied!


Awesome! :D

martattack
02-25-2012, 02:02 PM
And FYI, the attached images should be viewable by non-registered users.

NeverGrowUp
02-29-2012, 06:59 PM
The oil filter on the 94 C280 is at the back of the engine on the right side, and it takes almost 7.6 quarts. AND, I worry about anyone who uses yellow gloves while changing the oil, you just can't get the real feel for the work you are doing.

94 C280 - bought new
81 Delorean
59 Austin Healey
04 John Deere

martattack
02-29-2012, 07:12 PM
The oil filter on the 94 C280 is at the back of the engine on the right side, and it takes almost 7.6 quarts. AND, I worry about anyone who uses yellow gloves while changing the oil, you just can't get the real feel for the work you are doing.


That's a good point. Maybe the OP could put which model this was done on as the different models have different oil capacities.

wichipong
02-29-2012, 07:32 PM
by the looks of the bumpers it could be a facelift model... my 95 oil filter location is the same though...

Denlasoul
03-03-2012, 11:25 PM
Great write up! Will definitely help those who have never changed their own oil.

Personally, I like to use a siphon to drain my oil. I alternate using that and the drain plug method.

hvmercy
03-16-2012, 09:26 AM
This is very helpful. Thank you.

In addition the picture below is the right tool for removing the oil filter for W202 and W210.
I bought it a few years ago and have been a valuable member of my toolbox. :)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFVX3yNwEZU/T2KkquAmvZI/AAAAAAAAAgA/qJ9ur9i9M0s/s800/IMG_0850.jpg

walterk55
03-16-2012, 06:00 PM
I must be lucky. I use the same universal oil filter cover removal wrench as pictured on my 96 C280 and 2003 C320, and have not had a problem. I admit however that the "feel" of this wrench in not great - it always feels like it is about to slip off. Luckily, neither filter cover was on too tight, and they come off easily, and I tighten them not-too-tight.

I use a marine electric pump to pump out the oil rather than dropping it. I am sure it leaves a bit more in the crankcase, but this suits my situation of having to do the job on street parking better. Less chance of spillage and angry neighbors!

I use Mann filters and they seem to work fine.

The hardest part of the job is waiting for the electric pump unit to suck out all the oil.

I do this once a year (in my case this amounts to about 8,000 miles more or less) and use the best oil I can find. I just switched over to AMS Oil.

dunca123
09-30-2014, 01:22 PM
Hello, I just recently had an oil analysis done on my oil with 8,000 miles on it. I am using Liqui Moly 5W40 Premium Synthoil. According to the results, I should be able to go 10K easily. I will attach the report showing you all the information. Hope this helps! It is from a 1997 C230 all stock. I went through Blackstone Laboratories to have the analysis done. Hope this help with your next oil purchase!!! I get it from either Napa or AutohausAZ and stick with a Mann Oil Filter.

http://i58.tinypic.com/2ldd191.jpg

Oldskool
01-28-2017, 05:00 AM
Great sticky!! Just my first oil change on my new c200 1998. I used a vaccum removal pump just pump the handle sucks it all out brand new mobil 1 0w40 and away we go

Ontru
05-24-2022, 08:38 AM
Wow what a throwback lmao. Really cool to think this was a resource to people all those years! Might need to refresh it once I get a c36 ;)