C63 AMG Oil Filter Housing Leak – The Real Fix & What’s Involved (M156)
If you own a W204 C63 AMG with the M156 engine, you’ve probably heard about (or already found) the notorious C63 AMG oil filter housing leak. It’s one of the most common oil leaks on these cars and, if ignored it only gets worse over time.
In this post, you’ll learn:
• Why the C63 AMG oil filter housing gasket leaks
• The real fix and what’s actually involved
• Typical symptoms and why you should not ignore them
• When it makes sense to DIY vs go to a specialist
• How to watch the full C63 AMG Oil Filter Housing Leak video and subscribe to AMG Doctor
Watch the C63 AMG oil filter housing leak video
The best way to understand this job is to see it done on a real C63 AMG, step by step. The video below walks through the actual repair so you can see every angle, and the final result.
If this video helps you, click through to YouTube, like the video, and subscribe to the AMG Doctor channel for more in-depth C63 AMG and M156 content.
Why the C63 AMG oil filter housing leaks
On the M156, the oil filter sits in an aluminum housing that bolts directly to the engine block and interfaces with coolant passages. That housing seals to the block with rubber gaskets and O-rings that harden, flatten, and shrink after years of heat cycles and oil exposure.
As the gaskets age, you’ll typically see:
• Oil seeping around the base of the oil filter housing and running down the front of the engine
• Oil collecting on the subframe or splash shield
• Oil misting around the front of the engine, sometimes confusing owners into thinking it’s a valve cover or rear main seal leak
Because this is part of the pressurized lubrication circuit, a small seep often turns into a steady leak as mileage goes up and temperatures stay high.
Typical symptoms C63 owners notice:
• Burnt oil smell after driving, especially after spirited runs
• Fresh or dried oil around the oil filter housing area
• Oil spots under the front of the car or oily residue on the undertray
• Multiple leaks that seem to come from “everywhere” but trace back to the housing area
The real fix: what’s actually involved
This is not a “tighten the cap” issue. The real fix is replacing the oil filter housing gaskets and associated seals on the M156, which requires careful disassembly around the front of the engine.
High-level overview of what’s involved (details are in the video)
• Safely drain or partially drain coolant to avoid a mess when disconnecting coolant lines near the housing
• Remove intake components, fan shroud, and other front-end pieces to create working room in the engine bay
• Move or disconnect coolant hoses and the expansion tank to gain clear access to the oil filter housing area
• Remove the oil filter cap and filter, and extract as much oil as possible from the housing to minimize spills
• Unbolt the oil filter housing from the engine block and carefully separate it without damaging mating surfaces
• Remove the old, hardened gaskets and O-rings, then meticulously clean all sealing surfaces
• Install new quality gaskets/O-rings, ensure they are fully seated, and reinstall the housing with correct torque
• Reassemble the cooling system, refill and bleed coolant, replace the oil filter/O-ring, and verify there are no leaks
DIY vs going to an AMG specialist
Not every C63 owner has the tools, space, or comfort level to tackle this repair. Being honest about difficulty builds trust and helps owners make the right decision.
Good DIY candidates typically:
• Have experience working on German or performance cars
• Have access to a safe lift or sturdy jack stands, and quality tools (including torque wrench)
• Are comfortable dealing with coolant, oil, and tight spaces around the radiator and fan shroud
You should strongly consider an AMG specialist if you:
• Don’t have a safe workspace or the right tools
• Are not comfortable bleeding the cooling system or dealing with potential spills
• Already have multiple leaks (valve covers, front cover, oil cooler, etc.) and want a full leak-repair strategy
If this guide and video helped you stop your C63 AMG oil filter housing leak, share it with other AMG owners and subscribe to the AMG Doctor channel so you don’t miss future repairs, diagnostics, and common problem breakdowns.