Oil filter wrench size/fit question - E430

[Benzboy210]

Hey guys,

Quick question - getting ready to do my first W210 oil change on my E430. I bought the oil (German Castrol), fleece filter and a composite filter wrench. I read that I need 76mm, 14-sided for the wrench.

The one I bought is the same as posted in the DIY here by Greg I think? It is a number 9 filter wrench.

My question is - I tried to put it on, but it seems very tight. It won't go on easily. It seems to be the right filter wrench from what I have read. Do these things need a little 'encouragement' to fit on? i.e. they are meant to be tight?

TIA.

[OliverK]

hmm, I just did this on Friday. I got "B" metal oil filter wrench from autozone.

It certainly is going to be tight, given that it needs to "grip" the edges of the filter.

Is your motor hot? If so, the composite filter cap will probably have expanded a bit, making the fit even tighter.

Heres what I would try.

Spin the wrench around the cap applying light downward pressure. When the edges line up, it should go on.

If that doesn't work, you could try putting the composite wrench in some boiling water for a few minutes to expand it a touch.

If neither of these work, go to autozone and pick up the metal job for $4.99.

Mine went on easily, and worked great.

[Benzboy210]

Thanks Oliver. I did some more research and I think I have the wrong one. On the DIY here from Greg, he has the same brand wrench as me (FloTool Super Graphite) but his looks like a size 7. Mine is a 9.

I'll wait for Gregs210 to confirm.

What is exceptionally annoying is that these filters don't have the specs written on them - i.e. 76mm, etc. Only a manufacturer-specific size number.

I don't think any of the auto stores I've visited carry the number 7 in stock, figures...

[tirona]

i think the size is more like 73mm, and not 76mm. i could be wrong though, since i have different motor/setup in my e320. i will double check later.

[gregs210]

BB PM'd me, essentially what I told him is that the chart for my car showed a couple of different wrenches based upon diameter (74 or 76 as I recall) and flute count. That led me to suspect that there may be some variance in what MB grabs from the parts bin, or that the wrench manufacturers aren't really sure. In any event I went and measured mine and then counted the flutes, confirming those numbers in the store at the time of purchase.

FWIW, it's a firm fit, but can be pushed on and off the housing by hand. If it is tighter than that I'd suspect that it is either the wrong diameter or the wrong flute count.

Take care and enjoy -- the ride in the NEW YEAR!
Greg

[G-AMG]

I use a Hazet# 2169 Wrench, which is for the filter holder of:

14 sides, 74.4mm

Remember, this holder/housing should be torqued to 25 Nm.