Is anyone using a bypass oil filter? If so how/where did you install?
I don't have my NCV3 yet. I have been researching the situation because I plan to install a bypass oil filter for motor oil and transmission fluid. I have a few promising notions.
The biggest barrier: there's no pressured stream source like an oil cooler hose.
For a by-pass filter installation, what's needed is a source of pressured oil. There are no oil hoses and the oil (level, temperature, whatever) sending unit is not a threaded component.
Option 1) Mercedes has a pressure-test oil filter cap. MB Part/Tool number 642 589 00 91 00.
Unlike the Transmission Fluid Level Measuring "Tool," this tool can function permanently in place, according to a Mercedes dealership shop foreman, somewhere in New Jersey.
This individual told me that the oil cooler is mounted under the turbo charger on the OM642.
His information contradicts the parts catalog, page 146, found in the
Important (NCV3) OEM Information of this forum. I don’t really know anything until I get my hands on the vehicle.
I may pick up one of these pressure test tools and install that as a permanent fixture and, instead of a gauge, feed a filter with it... or maybe I’ll punch a hole in the oil filter cap. Neither is my preference, however. The cap has to twist to release the full-flow filter for replacement. I prefer stationary fittings, ones that stay put and don't spin.
Option 2) I did purchase the base plate (for lack of a better term) that is part of the oil filter assembly. Again, see the parts catalog. This assembly bolts to the front of the engine on the driver's side (I think). This plate has integrated channels to force oil into the filter and - presumably - out to the oil cooler or the block.
In looking at the oil filter assembly, I may elect to punch a hole in one of the channels, tap it with nominal pipe thread compatible with any air-tool, brass fitting.
I will at least feed a bypass filter with that opening (restricted with an orifice drilled out to 1/16th of an inch to keep from momentarily starving the engine) and perhaps an oil cooler if I'm not happy with the nominal temperature of the oil. I think 165 degrees F is what's required to boil off any diesel fuel contamination, but I forget at the moment.
All this is conjecture until I actually have a vehicle. I do have a hunk of paper with a VIN that checks out to a Freightliner Cargo Van, 2500... but so far, that's all I have....
If you have any other ideas, I'd love to read about 'em
in the NCV3 Power Train area.
-Jon