Mitsubishi MT161–MT241 filter replacement: oil, fuel, air and hydraulic filter
Mitsubishi MT161–MT241 filter replacement: the complete guide
Replacing the filters on your Mitsubishi MT161, MT181, MT201, MT221, MT241 or MTZ on time is the cheapest maintenance you can do — and the most effective. Four filters keep these machines healthy: the engine oil filter, the fuel filter, the air filter and the hydraulic filter. Below you'll find the interval, the original part number and the installation pitfalls for each filter.
Suitable for the entire series: Mitsubishi MT161, MT161S, MT181, MT201, MT221, MT241, MT241S, MTZ18, MTZ20, MTZ200, MTZ21 and MTZ23.
Mitsubishi MT series filter overview
| Filter | OEM reference | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil filter | MD134953 | First time at 50 hours, then every 100 hours |
| Fuel filter element | MM404879 + O-rings MM404881 / MM404878 | Clean every 50 hours, replace every 200 hours |
| Air filter element | 1030-0511-200 | Clean every 50 hours, replace if damaged or persistently dirty |
| Hydraulic filter | 1032-2509-000 | First time at 100 hours, then every 300 hours |
Replacing the Mitsubishi MT series engine oil filter
The oil filter is a spin-on filter fitted to the engine block. Loosen the old filter (with a strap wrench), lightly coat the rubber seal of the new filter with fresh oil, then tighten it by hand plus a quarter turn. Always replace the filter together with the oil (3.8 litres, API CD 10W-30), and let the engine idle briefly after installation to check that the oil pressure light goes out and the filter stays dry.
Replacing and bleeding the Mitsubishi MT series fuel filter
The fuel filter is a small element housed in a filter bowl with a shut-off tap. Turn the tap to OFF, unscrew the bowl, replace the element and O-rings, then turn the tap back to ON. Afterwards, bleed the system via the bleed nipple until fuel comes out without air bubbles — otherwise the engine will stall or fail to start. A clogged fuel filter is the number one cause of rough running and power loss on this series.
Cleaning the Mitsubishi MT series air filter
The dry air filter element sits in a housing next to the engine. Gently tap out the element or blow it clean with compressed air from the inside out. Black smoke from the exhaust under load is the classic sign of a clogged air filter. If you're working in dusty conditions (tilling dry soil, mowing), check the filter before every workday instead of every 50 hours.
Replacing the Mitsubishi MT series hydraulic filter
The hydraulic filter filters the shared transmission/hydraulic oil and is often overlooked — resulting in a whining sound from the hydraulics or a sluggish lift. Replace it for the first time after 100 hours and then every 300 hours, ideally combined with fresh transmission oil (see the fluids blog for the correct GL-4 80W specification).
Which filter set fits my Mitsubishi MT?
Good news: for this series, there's no puzzling required. The filter set Mitsubishi MT161–MT241 & MTZ (SKU-100119) contains the engine oil filter (M20x1.5), the fuel filter element and the air filter element in a single box, and fits the entire series — from MT161 to MT241S and all MTZ models, with both the S3L and S3L2 engine. Only the hydraulic filter needs to be ordered separately. Not sure about your model? Send us a photo of the nameplate and the engine number, and we'll check it for you.
💡 Product tip: When ordering the filters, add a glow plug (SKU-55808) as a spare — the glow plugs on the S3L/S3L2 are a known wear point, and with a set on the shelf you'll never be stuck in winter.
