Oil Filter struggle

[madformotors]

Hi,
Just spent a couple of happy hours changing the oil filter on my 280i. I honestly thought at one point that it wouldn't ever come off - and it was one of the 'short' ones , not the usual 'tall' Cologne/Granada type.
Anyway, the one I fitted was a Mann W914/2 which was slightly shorter than the one that came off (no identifying marks other than the date of Dec 2012) so it went on reasonably easily.
I hope this might be of use to anyone with an auto - the oil cooler pipes complete an almost perfect trap of exhaust, chassis, engine and body to ensnare the filter.
I've updated the parts list.
Ian

Edited by madformotors on Saturday 18th August 08:17

[John042]

Thanks Ian, good advice and taking the trouble to update and post. That's what this forum is all about. Cheers J C.

[RCK974X]

The XR4i filter was a lot shorter too ( I remember it was a Champion C107 or 108) - here in NZ I found a filter which is a lot shorter and fits, which was actually for a Renault I think....
(Ryco Z71)

On the web you can find cross references via the thread and sealer ring sizes, which allows you to safely swop for a shorter filter - it's a hell of a lot easier to change than the original bulky one.

[Grady]

If you don't have one, treat yourself to a remote oil cooler and move the filter to the front (much like a 350). So much simpler. Previously I had to drop the exhaust to get any filter out.

[madformotors]

Grady said:

Previously I had to drop the exhaust to get any filter out.

At one point I really thought that's what I was going to have to do!

[taz turbo]

My Turbo has an oil cooler take off plate and then the oil filter screwed to that, I use a Motorcraft EFL38 oil filter, it was as used on 2.3 cortinas with PAS (from memory). Yes it’s tight, but not difficult, remove plug 3 and the filter comes up the way.

Think the ELF38 is the same or very similar to what the sierra cosworths used???

Chris.

[madformotors]

Hi,
Thanks for the tip, I did have a go at lifting the filter upwards with the no3 plug out, but on mine there's aircon pipework as well as the oil cooler pipes, so that was a no go.
Ian