Fuel Filter for 250SL

[jedwards]

I have an early 250SL and I am not sure which of the two fuel filters to use and if I can use the one that arrived from a recent order.
There seems to be two filters available from SLS and other web sites.  One is called a fuel filter and the other a fuel element.
The first type has a black rubber seal and handle while the other has a felt pad a separate wire handle.
Some store sites like SLS  say the latter is for early cars, but don't say how early.
The one that arrived in a recent order was the second type for early cars, with the felt pad and wire loop. Can I use this or should I order the later type?
Are they interchangeable?

Thanks
Jeff

[jameshoward]

The difference may be down simply to the manufacturer. I have a late 230sl and have only ever seen or used the filter with the felt pad and wire handle. Our cars will only be months apart in production dates and you should be fine with the same one.

[kampala]

I believe they are identical filters ... the only difference is that with one of them you are buying the rubber seal and filter as a kit ... and with the other it is only a filter and you would buy the seal separately.    I replaced filter and seal on a later 250sl.

attached is a photo of my old filter and seal

[zoegrlh]

OZ is correct.  I just replaced my filter on my 280SL.  The MANN filter comes with felt as the seals top and bottom, the MB filter comes with rubber seals top and bottom, and also with the "O" ring gasket.  All are inter-changeable.  In fact you can get filters at NAPA stores too, their brand.
Bob

[ja17]

Not really sure whats going on with these two types. Years ago, the felt filter was for diesel engines. It had rubber seals. The paper filter with the felt seals was always supplied to me directly from the MB Dealer for all the W113 engines. Things may have changed or there may be different variations?  I have not seen any documentation to such. 300SLs back then followed the same configuration but used a smaller filter. In that case, the paper filter was also used for the gasoline engines and the similar felt filter was used in a diesel engine of a  ponton sedan.

The filter supplied for the W113 engines by the dealer is MB #000 477 6415
                                                        manufacturer Knect # EK402
                                                        manufacturer Hengst #E5 KP
                                                        manufacturer Mann   #P707
                                                        manufacture  Bosch #1 457 431 261

The same configuration diesel felt filter was Knect #B402

Filtration is probably good in either the gasoline or diesel filter. My only concern is that the glue holding the filters together or the rubber seals may not be compatible with the different fuels. However mateterials have improved over the years. Rubber materials ard glues are more chemical resistant than ever. Fuel formulations have changed.  Part numbers have changed also. If in doubt get a filter from the dealer. The dealer supplies the paper filter with felt seals as far as I know and they are still less than $10.00. The square rubber 0-ring seal for the canister must be ordered separately with these filters. There is also a copper seal on the bolt head of the canister that comes separate.