So my '11 E350 that I purchased used @78k miles with reasonable Carfax service records (not MB dealer service) had an uncharacteristic growl from its engine under acceleration that I never heard from my '09 C300 with same but smaller displacement engine. As I had done the filters on my 3.0 C I figured what the [censored] lets go ahead and do the ones on my E since they will be due in 2k miles.
First one seemed seated just fine, was a made in China STP that comparing side to side with Genuine MB appeared to have maybe 80-85% of the amount of pleats. Based on the dirt load in the I would venture to guess that this filter set had 30-40k miles. My horror came when I opened the drivers side bank filter housing and found a huge pinch where the filter seal dove down into the housing and I found a leaf stuck in the gap. Washed up the engine cover and housing, let them dry, installed the new filters and popped the cover back on.
So I am wondering with this possible massive filter leak for 30-40k miles should I worry? The uncharacteristic growl is gone now I have the new filters in place so I think I have stopped the leak, should I worry about the car getting 50% unfiltered air for so many miles or just take care of her and motor on? The M272 is pretty stout but this bargain E350 I bought is already exhibiting some valve lash noise so trying to get ahead of any neglect it may have seen in its first 7 years.
First one seemed seated just fine, was a made in China STP that comparing side to side with Genuine MB appeared to have maybe 80-85% of the amount of pleats. Based on the dirt load in the I would venture to guess that this filter set had 30-40k miles. My horror came when I opened the drivers side bank filter housing and found a huge pinch where the filter seal dove down into the housing and I found a leaf stuck in the gap. Washed up the engine cover and housing, let them dry, installed the new filters and popped the cover back on.
So I am wondering with this possible massive filter leak for 30-40k miles should I worry? The uncharacteristic growl is gone now I have the new filters in place so I think I have stopped the leak, should I worry about the car getting 50% unfiltered air for so many miles or just take care of her and motor on? The M272 is pretty stout but this bargain E350 I bought is already exhibiting some valve lash noise so trying to get ahead of any neglect it may have seen in its first 7 years.