OM651 Oil Cooler/Housing leak - To seal or not to seal?

[WonkyWombat]

Hi All,

I'm dealing with a common issue on my W204 OM651 engine, the oil cooler/filter housing leak, and I'm looking for advice on the best approach to fix it. Specifically, I want to know if replacing just the seals is sufficient or if I should go ahead and replace the entire cooler and housing unit.

Here are my concerns and considerations:

1. Seal and O-Ring Replacement:
   • Pros:
     • Cost-effective
   • Cons:
     • Unknown longevity
2. Full Cooler & Housing Replacement:
   • Pros:
     • Assurance
     • Longer lifespa
     • Peace of mind
   • Cons:
     • Higher cost
     • Possibly unneeded

Considering these factors, I'm torn between the two options. While a complete replacement might provide a longer-term solution and peace of mind, I don't want to replace something purely for the sake of it.

On the other hand, replacing seals and o-rings is a cost-effective approach, but there's a risk of it not being a permanent fix, and I'm not clued up enough on the issue to see if this is actually a good way to stop the issue?

I would greatly appreciate your experiences and insights on this matter. Have you tried just replacing the seals and o-rings, and if so, how long did the fix last? Or did you opt for a full unit replacement and found it to be worth the investment?

 

[s5tuart]

Hi All,

I'm dealing with a common issue on my W204 OM651 engine, the oil cooler/filter housing leak, and I'm looking for advice on the best approach to fix it. Specifically, I want to know if replacing just the seals is sufficient or if I should go ahead and replace the entire cooler and housing unit.

Here are my concerns and considerations:

1. Seal and O-Ring Replacement:
   • Pros:
     • Cost-effective
   • Cons:
     • Unknown longevity
2. Full Cooler & Housing Replacement:
   • Pros:
     • Assurance
     • Longer lifespa
     • Peace of mind
   • Cons:
     • Higher cost
     • Possibly unneeded

Considering these factors, I'm torn between the two options. While a complete replacement might provide a longer-term solution and peace of mind, I don't want to replace something purely for the sake of it.

On the other hand, replacing seals and o-rings is a cost-effective approach, but there's a risk of it not being a permanent fix, and I'm not clued up enough on the issue to see if this is actually a good way to stop the issue?

I would greatly appreciate your experiences and insights on this matter. Have you tried just replacing the seals and o-rings, and if so, how long did the fix last? Or did you opt for a full unit replacement and found it to be worth the investment?

Try the cheaper method first. If it doesn't last long then option 2

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

We always replace the complete housing. It's a horrible job and I dont see the point in not putting a complete cooler on it for the addition £100. Same with the V6 oil coolers, 12 hours of pain and you may as well just future proof the repair.