320TE-Can't find the Oil Filter!

[musunge]

This is a really stupid question, I know!
I just collected my new "dog transporter". It's a 1993 Mercedes 320TE Estate with a 3litre non-turbo diesel engine. The first thing I do whenever I get a "new" car is change all the "bodily fluids" so I went to Euro Car Parts this morning and bought oil and a genuine MB oil filter. The packet looked a bit small - when I opened it I saw it is not the ubiquitous canister type but just a small filter cartridge. I peered under the bonnet at the massive engine and I can't see where the oil filter housing is!
I can't buy the 124 series Haynes manual locally so I have ordered onevia the web, but this may take a while to come because of the Christmas post and I would like to change the engine oil as soon as possible. Can anyone help such an ignorant prat by describing where the oil filter bousing is?

 

[Geoff_Slade]

Not as stupid as it sounds. You're probably looking in the usual places that manufacturers put oil filters ie low down on the side of the block. MB have put it in a completely different (and easy to get at place). If you're looking at the car from the front it's on the right hand side of the block i'e the nearside) tucked between the end of the inlet manifold and the bulkhead. Silver in colour and it's at the same height as the top of the block. Easy once you know where to look but I must admit that if I hadn't had the Haynes manual I'd have never found it cos its not where you expect it to be.

PS Welcome to what appears to be a growing band of East Midlands W124 owners (I'm in Nottingham)

 

[musunge]

Thanks, I thought that "might" be it, but I really wasn't sure. Oil successfully changed - it took about 7 litres which nearly overflowed the tray I used to drain the old oil into.
What a lovely car to drive - a bit "leasurely" in terms of acceleration but the most relaxing cruiser I have ever had.

 

[dieselman]

What a lovely car to drive - a bit "leasurely" in terms of acceleration but the most relaxing cruiser I have ever had.

There is a mod for that.
Click the link and scroll down the page to the pictures. Leisurely isn't a word to be used anymore.

http://mersuforum.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4483&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1530