- 03/06/2020
- 5 Min Read
- By: Evan Madore
How To Replace The Oil Cooler Gasket On A Mercedes-Benz E350, C300, SLK350, & More (M272)
If you're finding oil spots underneath your Mercedes-Benz, don't panic—it's probably not from your valve covers or oil pan. It's most likely your oil cooler gasket that is extremely easy to replace.
Mercedes-Benz models and years applicable:
The M272 engine was found in an extensive amount of Mercedes models throughout the years. This engine oil cooler gasket fits a wide range of those, including:
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What are the symptoms failed oil cooler gasket?
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- Oil leaks
The M272/M273 engine is unique in the fact that it doesn't really suffer from valve cover leaks like a lot of other engines. Instead, what can appear to be a valve cover leak or even an upper oil pan leak, is usually the oil cooler gasket. You will typically find these leaks toward the left-hand side of the car/engine.
One way to check for the leak is to look for dirt on the oil filter seam. From there, oil trickles down toward the driver's side of the car. If you let the leak progress even further, you will start to notice dirt and oil on the serpentine belt tensioner.
Mercedes-Benz doesn't have a service interval on the oil cooler gasket. However, you should start watching out for leaks at around the 60,000-mile mark.
How long will it take to replace my oil cooler gasket?
This job really isn't that complex. You should be able to complete it in around an hour.
How much does it cost to replace my oil cooler gasket?
If you plan to take your car to the dealer to replace the blower motor, you'd be looking at it costing north of $200. The seal itself is less than $10, and it only takes an hour of your time. Plus, when you need to replace it again, you can make use of our Lifetime Replacement Guarantee.
Tools required to replace your oil cooler gasket:
- Ratchet set
- Metric socket set
- Torx socket set
- Metric wrench set
- Extension Set
- Flashlight
- Fluid Transfer Syringe
- Screwdrivers
- 74.5mm Oil Filter Housing Cap Socket
- Brake Clean
- Brass Bristle Brush
Parts required to replace your oil cooler gasket:
- Mercedes-Benz Engine Oil Cooler Gasket
- Mercedes-Benz M272 Engine Oil Change Kit
- Mercedes-Benz Coolant/Antifreeze
Steps required to replace your oil cooler gasket:
Step 1: Drain fluids
Start by removing the oil filter housing cap so that oil is allowed to drain. There is an anti-drain back valve that keeps oil from draining.
Now, underneath the car, using a 13mm wrench, you want to drain at least a liter of oil from the oil pan. This is a good time to complete a full oil change since you will be underneath the car anyway.
The last fluid to drain is your coolant. There is a bright red petcock on the underside that can be loosened using a flat head screwdriver. The coolant drains from just above the petcock, and you can attach a small section of hose to the drain to direct it into a catch container.
Step 2: Remove the expansion breather hose
The expansion tank breather hose is extremely fragile, so we want to get it out of the way. It is held in place by two spring clips that you can pull back with either a small screwdriver or a tool pick. Once you undo the clip, you push the connector in slightly and then pull outward.
Step 3: Remove the drive belt
Using a 17mm socket on the tensioner, turn counter-clockwise loosen the belt and remove it. You need to remove the drive belt to make clearance for the rest of the job.
Step 4: Remove the fresh-air snorkel
The snorkel will put up a fight since it hardens up over time. Be careful not to break it as it does become brittle.
Step 5: Drain and remove the power steering fluid reservoir
Start by draining the power steering fluid reservoir. This is done easily using the syringe tool linked in the tools above. Once it's drained, you need to remove the 3 T30 fasteners that hold it in place. The screws are captive, so you don't need to worry about them falling into your engine bay.
The last thing holding the reservoir in place is a circlip to the power steering pump. Space is tight, so it might help to remove the coolant expansion reservoir.
Keep shop towels on hand as residual power steering fluid will drip.
Step 6: Remove the oil cooler
Using your T30 socket, remove the 4 T30 fasteners that hold the cooler in place. Two of the fasteners are in precarious locations, so we recommend using a magnet to make sure that they don't fall into the engine bay. As a tip, once you break the T30s free, you can use a T27 to back them out further, which allows you to use the tool at a slight angle.
Once the fasteners are removed, you have to separate the cooler from the oil filter housing. Sometimes a few taps with a dead blow hammer is enough to break it free. However, it can be stubborn sometimes requiring you to use a flat head screwdriver or pry tool to pry it apart.
Step 7: Clean mating surfaces
You want to make sure that the mating surface of the oil cooler is clean and free of any debris. To clean it, use some brake clean and a soft-bristle brush if necessary.
Step 8: Remove the old gasket
To remove the old gasket from the oil filter housing, use a tool pick to get behind it. It might not come out in all one piece, so you will have to sit there and chip away at it with the pick. You want to make sure the gasket doesn't have any traces of the old gasket before installing your new one.
Step 9: Install the new gasket
When you're confident that the surface is completely clean, you can install the new gasket. It's as simple as pushing the new one into place.
Step 10: Reverse steps and reinstall
Starting with step 6, work backward from the steps above. We'd like to point out that most of the fasteners in this install thread into or through plastic components. You do not want to tighten these more than snug as there's a good chance of cracking the plastic.
When reinstalling your drive belt, you're going to want to reference this diagram below.
If you're interested in more DIYs for your Mercedes-Benz, you can visit mercedes.fcpeuro.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel.
