ML350/320 Bluetec Air Filter Change - Not an Easy Thing to Do

Mark takes you through the steps to change the air filters (yes that's right, there are two) -on 2006-2011 ML Diesels - some special tools are required but if you're not particularly handy you might want the local garage to do it but it won't be cheap

[@Mezmar165]

Appreciate your effort to make this video. Your point about over-engineering is well made. Usually air filter replacements are a slam-dunk, but this is tedious! I just spent several hours replacing the alternator on my 2008 Bluetec. I've replaced alternators in other vehicles myself, but this was a two-man job that involved removing the fan shroud and 4 torx bolts on the alternator itself to get it out.

[@antonnagengast9392]

Watched this video, changed my filters out yesterday. You don't need to take out the cross member to the turbo, if you take off the rubber seal that runs across the back of the hood there are two panels one on each side, 6 bolts, once you remove those two panels the air filter boxes lift right out straight up. You don't need to remove any wire harness connection, air intake sensor or the cross member, just the clamp on each air intake. I can't post a video here but I'm going to post a new video showing what l mean, it's nowhere near as difficult as this video shows.

[@carquestions]

Same exact vehicle? Can't wait to see it - Cheers from Canada!

[@antonnagengast9392]

The air filter on my 1997 C 280 Benz was so easy, 6 clips right up top. I just bought one of these ML at an auction, l agree it should not be this hard for an air filter. But the oil filter is up top and way easier than my C 280. M. Benz is well made and now a days any make of car is not real easy to work on, they cram so much under the hood now. American, Japanese, German, Korean or Swedish cars are all a pain to work on now a days, not like the old days. I wouldn't buy one if you can't do the minor maintenance yourself, oil, plugs, filters, etc.

[@carquestions]

Keep that car Anton - the ones today are rolling cell phones with loads of software that don't work right half the time - just like a cell phone - cheers from Canada!

[@billparker3095]

Thanks for taking that on and doing the video. I made the mistake of taking my Mercedes to Jiffy Lube to have them change the oil and air filter. The first time that I took it to them, they did everything right and the car ran fine. The second oil change and air filter changed I got from Jiffy Lube they took an hour and 30 minutes to get the job done monkeying around the car and underneath it for sometime. When the car started up it made a quick metal-on-metal sound. I suspect now, that they lost a bolt or dropped a bolt into a belly pan or somewhere. From that time to now, the car loses power over 40 mph. Might you have any idea what could have possibly gone wrong at that oil change that causes the car to lose power, once it goes above 40 mph. ?

[@carquestions]

Bill - get it in ASAP this could be a dangerous situation - parts could go into engine or otherwise cause serious damage - need to check right now - let me know what happens -cheers from Canada!

[@DOUGSVIDEO999]

I have the same vehicle (exactly, 2011 ML350 Bluetec), just finished same job. I don't disagree that the "air boxes" are ridiculously tight, and the external-Torx-headed fasteners (two each box, one front, short and removable, one rear, very long, and flimsily captive held in plastic clips) could have been made much easier, but you missed an important step that makes the job much easier. At around 4:48 and subsequent, you're fighting for clearance under that long "shelf" or "tray" that goes wheel well to wheel well and keeps crud and water out of the engine compartment. Anticipating the air filter change, directly above each air box, Mercedes put a removable segment of the shelf. You first just pull off the rubber strip, then for the one on the right hand (US passenger side) there is one 10mm headed bolt pointing downward, inboard, reached from the top, and one 10mm headed bolt pointing forward, reached from the back, and that short piece of sheet metal comes out, then on the other (left, US driver) side, the short piece is held by three 10mm headed bolts, one inboard pointed down, reached from the top, two outboard, pointing outboard, reached from the inside. Of those latter two, only the top one needs to come out. The metal plate is slotted, so you only have to loosen the lower outboard bolt, not remove it completely. With those two little "bites" out of that shelf, you can see much better and have a straight shot pulling the air boxes up and out.

[@carquestions]

Thanks for the tip Doug - didn't notice - good info - cheers!

[@kavindugilshan]

Really fun part is when you install this back to the car without air leaks . It took me 30 minutes to put this thing back . And hand was full of blood . I got used to clean my fathers corolla air filter every 3 months . It took me only 10 minutes to do the complete job . What kind of over engineering is that . 😕

[@carquestions]

Just dumb engineering - Mercedes is known for

[@toddrichmyre8268]

"Marrcedes" haha

[@carquestions]

thanks

[@lesterstoikos571]

I heard for these diesels you have to have it recalibrated after the air filter change is that correct

[@carquestions]

Lester - a maintenance warning would need to be reset just like the oil warning - not a big deal - Cheers from Canada!

[@abdullah-bk6zi]

hi it's me again not trying to be annoying I have a question I have a GMC terrain 2015 has 56k and the owner manual says that I have to replace the coolant every five years or 250k now the car is five years old and it wasn't sitting for a long time I drive the car every day from home to school... school to Home... home to McDonald's and yeah so should I change it now or later at 80 K or 100k and thanks

[@carquestions]

Change it within the next six months would be a good idea - Cheers from Canada!

[@abdullah-bk6zi]

thanks but is it OK if I change it at 80k because I heard the coolant start to lose it's mobility and rise the temperature of the engine is it true ??

[@abdullah-bk6zi]

or I change the coolant within the six months so I can be on the safe side is that what you mean ?

[@carquestions]

@@abdullah-bk6zi yes change it based on time not mileage -

[@gamagreen1]

Hi thanks , is it same for 2015 ML350BT? And what millage you recommend

[@carquestions]

I'd do it every 2 years - Cheers from Canada GG!

[@gamagreen1]

Thanks I am in Newfoundland Canada is it same place and filters for 2015 ml350 bluetec?

[@carquestions]

Yes I think so@@gamagreen1

[@abdullah-bk6zi]

Hey I have a Mercedes-Benz e300 2019 and I had an accident in the rear so the dealer had to replace a rear bumper and cut the fender after six weeks replacing the bumper cut in the fender checking the car I got the car finally and I got a warning message Blindspot assistant interruptive I took it to the dealership and they said it's OK it only needs programming and it happened to me again the next year and I'm afraid when my warranty is expired they won't fix it for free so do you have any solutions have you ever had this problem???

[@carquestions]

You have hidden accident damage most likely - you need an ace mechanic to find it - keep pushing them - Cheers from Canada!

[@jeleil95]

so uhhhh.... we just doing the left side and forgetting about the right side?? 🤔

[@carquestions]

No same thing repeated - should have mentioned that - Cheers from Canada Jeleil!

[@antonnagengast9392]

Of course it's metric, it's a European make.

[@carquestions]

yep