After market parts, and the home mechanic

[c250 turbo diesel]

Nearly stuffed right up today, first time servicing my 316 Sprinter, So started with an oil and filter change, allways used Crosland filters with no problem untill today.

For some reason, mercedes have decided to put a smaller engine oil filter in the cdi Sprinters, with a stupid screw on plastic top, now these fillters have a plastic rod that the filter sits on with 3 o-rings on them, the largest, seals the screw on top, changed all 3, and put it all back together, with new oil.

Went on a deivery about 20 miles and thought I would check the oil, wow when I looked, what a shock, oil everywhere, from the top of the plastic cover, tried everything, but it would not seal, limped home, and took apart, discovered that the large o ring on the crosland filter is narrower, than the genuine Merc one, put the old merc one back done it up, no more leak !!!

Mine has the same filter as the ml 270 and all cars fitted with the 270 engine,I have nothing against Crosland filters, I have used them for years, if anyone from Crosland reads this please take note, thank god I never went on a couple of hundred mile trip !
A lesson to learn there ! Even I get it wrong ! Lots !

 

[tom7035]

Had a similar situation with 'Fram' some years ago. Wrote a courteous but strongly worded letter of complaint to the company. As well as an apology received a cheque to cover oil refill and new filter cost. Wonder if they would as quickly have covered the cost of a new Rover 3.5 V8 engine? Still, I was thankful it didn't come to that test.