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Mercedes ML320 ( 98> ) Oil Filter Replacement |
Changing the oil filter on the Mercedes ML320 1998 onwards model is quite a straight forward procedure. The important thing to remember is to keep the vehicle on level ground so the maximum volume of old oil can be drained.
The oil filter cover as shown in the first pic on the left is usually quite tight and you may need an oil filter clamp to exert that extra pressure.
Once the oil filter cap is slightly loose by a few 45 degree turns, you can also open and remove the oil filler cap. This helps the oil escape from the drain plug as shown in the pic 2 from the left.
You need a size 13” socket to open the oil drain plug and make sure you have on old container etc. big enough to accommodate 8 Litres of dirty oil. The draining should be given a good half an hour to try and get as much dirty oil as possible.
During this time, the already loose oil filter can be fully opened and removed as shown in pic 3 from left.
The old oil filter can be removed from the “plastic stick” by simply grabbing it with a dirty cloth and pulling it off. The new oil filter seals should now be placed at all the relevant points on the stick and the new filter should seat as the old one did. Insert the oil filter cover/ stick back into the hole as shown and tighten properly.
Once the dripping has slowed down a fair bit, the drain plug can be inserted and tightened properly. The new oil can now be filled through the oil filler hole on the top. The capacity on the Ml320 is 8 Litres so it’s best to pour in roughly 7.5 litres, close the oil filler cap and start the car. After letting it run for a few minutes to help the new oil circulate everywhere, you can stop the engine.
Check the oil level on the dipstick to get an idea on how much more oil is required and you will most likely need to fill it upto the 8 Litre mark to keep the level between Min and Max.
This entry was posted on Saturday, May 12th, 2007 and is filed under DIY Guides, Mercedes DIY. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
You can also pump the oil out from the dipstick pipe instead. The pumping method requires a special tool readily available from most motor factors and saves the hassle of wiping under the car when draining from the sump.
I NEED HELP ON TAKING OFF THE CAP , IM NOT EVEN SURE WHAT WAY TO TURN IT . THERES AN ARROW POINTING RIGHT AND RIGHT IS TO TIGHT IT. SO IM NOT SURE WHAT WAY TO TURN IT . RIGHT OR LEFT SO I CAN TAKE IT OFF.
PLEASE WRITE BACK.
As a genral rule, it’s always clockwise to tighten something and anti clockwise to open.
Please check pic 1. you see a clamp type thing attached to the end of a rachet. This is the oil filter clamp used to open the filter if it’s not moving when you try to open it with your hand.
So, grab the oil filter cap with your stroger hand and turn it anti clockwise. If it doesn’t budge, use the clamp. Hope this helps
Hmmm ..OK guys, what they do NOT tell you is that this filter does not want to pull off the stick. DO NOT DO WHAT I DID, gave it a twist and pull. It brakes the thin constructed shaft and this then cost a small fortune. Upon reflection, had I known, and this thing was not moving, one perhaps should have cut the filter open up as far as possible to reflease the grip on the centre shaft, whether this would have helped I do not know. Also the filter comes with three rubber washers, one for the very end nipple, one to seal the main cap, hower there is a third, which suggests it should go on the middle stick, near the bottom. Cut away the old one and the new one is too large. Not sure whether mercedes have supplied the incorrect filter, will find out tomorrow, just be careful guys. Who said easy, not so, when you compare it to a complete replacement cylinder one and throw the whole lot……Paul
Good advice there Paul. I had exactly the same issue with mine when I did the last oil change. The old filter came off OK but I struggled getting the new one on and ended up snapping the stick. Turned out that I had purchased the incorrect filter.
The dealership supplies the new oil filter cover and stick with the filter pre mounted as one piece so that can also suggest that the old filter tends to get jammed on the stick after some use.
Changed oil in my 98 ML 320, drained replaced oil pan bolt, changed filter and O rings. I filled the oil to the proper amount and checked for leaks everthing seemed fine till I cranked it up and the oil began to pour out on what appears to be on the drivers side all oil escaped what the heck could have happened
hi Don, is it leaking from the sump drain nut?
maybe you didn’t tighten it fully or perhaps you forgot the washer that goes with the nut?
Thanks for your advice, found the issue. If you do no remove the cosmedic cover on th top of the engine you can not tell if the oil filter is completely seated, it felt tight but obviosly was not felt pretty dumb been changing my oil for some 30+ years now. Thanks again for your response.
@ Don - that’s nothing. I have poured oil from the top many a times only to find it leek all out from the sump coz I forgot to put the sump plug in.. so you’re allowed to make this mistake
I have a ML-320 Bluetec. I can not find the oil filter and the drain plug.
@ Charlie - does your ML320 engine look the same as shown in pics above?
The picture is not that big and it is hard to see. Does the plastic cover flip up? I am not sure where the drain plug is. Thanks for your help.
yes the black cover needs lifting up. you can shake it side to side and lift up slowly. Once the cover is off, you can see the oil filter right on top right corner of the engine. You can see the top cover of the round filter even with the cover on.
The sump plug is at the bottom front/ left side of the engine. You can see it in pic 3. Click on the images to get bigger pics.
There is a plastic cover under our engine where the drain plug is located. Surely it will not have to be removed. It has a lot of screws in it. Our ML 320 is a 2009.
your model is the W164, new shape that started in 2005. This post is for a the W163 98-05 shape. With the new Merc, e.g. the S Class, we had to remove the plastic cover to find the sump so most likely you will need to remove the cover to access the drain plug. I also have a W164 ML320 but haven’t got round to doing the oil service as yet. With a car this expensive and this new, may be worth getting the service done by a local Merc specialist. You don’t need to go to the dealership, there are many Merc specialists springing up every where nowadays doing services at less than half the cost. What’s your location?
Close to Austin Texas.
oh OK Charlie. I would have done a search for your nearest Merc Specialist if you were somewhere in the UK
Anyways.. take the bottom cover off and if you still don’t see the sump plug, get back to me and I will try and locate it on mine and send you a pic.
I will work on it this weekend. I. Will see after I take off the cover. Thank you.