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If you're finding oil spots underneath your Mercedes-Benz, don't panicit'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:
  • 2005-2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK350
  • 2007-2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
  • 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz E350
  • 2007-2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450
  • 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350
  • 2007-2011 Mercedes-Benz E550
  • 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230
  • 2007-2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550
  • 2006-2007 Mercedes-Benz C280
  • 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C300
  • 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz C350
  • 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML550
  • 2006-2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350
  • 2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz GL550
  • 2006-2011 Mercedes-Benz R350
  • 2009-2011 Mercedes-Benz SLK300
  • 2006-2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK280
  • 2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350
  • 2007-2011 Mercedes-Benz S550
  • 2009-2011 Mercedes-Benz G550
  • 2007-2011 Mercedes-Benz SL550
  • 2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz S400
  • 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550
  • 2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML450

 

What are the symptoms failed oil cooler gasket?

    • 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:

 

Parts required to replace your oil cooler gasket:

 

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.

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket oil filter housing cap

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket oil drain plug

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket coolant petcock

 

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.

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket hose spring clips

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket drive belt removal

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket fresh air snorkel

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket power steering fluid reservoir

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket oil cooler

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket pry

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket clean surfaces

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket removal

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket installation

 

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. 

Mercedes m272 oil cooler gasket drive belt routing diagram

 

If you're interested in more DIYs for your Mercedes-Benz, you can visit mercedes.fcpeuro.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel. 

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Written by :
Evan Madore

Writer/Editor at FCP Euro and owner of a daily R53 MINI Cooper, a track-built R53 MINI, and a 1997 Dakar Yellow E36 M3 Sedan. ••• Instagram: @evan.madore


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