Burning smell - C350 2008?
Discussion
Over the last few weeks I get a very strong burning smell which seems to come from the nearside (passenger) front wheel of my 2008 C350 estate. I have taken it to Mercedes dealer who says there is nothing wrong with the car. However it is definitely an issue and even the wife notices it, any clues or is it just a bit of disc brake dust burning off?
Someone asked me about this as they had a similar problem. I actually found that the burning smell was caused by my front tyres. They had really bad splitting on the side walls. I'm not sure if the heavy winter and ice caused the splitting or they where just old tyres. Either way I couldn't risk driving the car like it and had them both replaced which was extremely annoying as they had loads of tread left. No more burning smell afterwards.
Pic of the splitting:-
Pic of the splitting:-
WelshBoyo said:
Someone asked me about this as they had a similar problem. I actually found that the burning smell was caused by my front tyres. They had really bad splitting on the side walls. I'm not sure if the heavy winter and ice caused the splitting or they where just old tyres. Either way I couldn't risk driving the car like it and had them both replaced which was extremely annoying as they had loads of tread left. No more burning smell afterwards.
Pic of the splitting:-
Never come across that before, the tyre must have been getting pretty hot!Pic of the splitting:-
Monkeylegend said:
Edited to add I just noticed the original posting date. Any update OP?
Yep I replied yesterday, it was definitely the tyres. Replaced them and no issues since. Not sure why the tyres split but apparently they could have been really old ones left in some depot outside in the sun for months and hence the rubber disintegrated.OK finally found out the correct reason for this burning smell and it is a small oil leak around the back of the engine. Quite common it seems and a quick check of the cambox covers especially the cam bore blankers and covers on the back of the heads. Parts are cheap but looks like around 4 hour job.
So 2 Mercedes main dealers didn't pick this up but my local indy in Cardiff who are also fixing my aircon and putting new front disks and pads worked it out in 2 seconds as they have seen quite a few of these over the last few months.
Details taken from mbworld.org original posting burning-oil-smell-pass-side-engine-bay
Bulletin:
Oil Seepage From Back of Cylinder Heads on Mercedes M272/273 Engines
This bulletin affects all Mercedes vehicles equipped with M272/273 engines built up to June 2008 production date.
If you receive customer reports of oil seeping from Mercedes vehicles equipped with M272/273 engines, the cause could be the round plastic expansion plugs on the back of the cylinder heads (Figure 1). To resolve, perform the following.
Note: As of June 2008 production, new improved plugs were phased into production.
There are two different size plugs as listed below:
• p/n - A000 998 55 90 – 2 small expansion plugs
• p/n - A000 998 56 90 – 1 large expansion plug (engines without vacuum pump)
Remove the existing plugs, clean the opening and install new plugs (Figure 2). Note: The plug opening should free of grease or oil. No sealer should be used in the installation of the new plugs.
So 2 Mercedes main dealers didn't pick this up but my local indy in Cardiff who are also fixing my aircon and putting new front disks and pads worked it out in 2 seconds as they have seen quite a few of these over the last few months.
Details taken from mbworld.org original posting burning-oil-smell-pass-side-engine-bay
Bulletin:
Oil Seepage From Back of Cylinder Heads on Mercedes M272/273 Engines
This bulletin affects all Mercedes vehicles equipped with M272/273 engines built up to June 2008 production date.
If you receive customer reports of oil seeping from Mercedes vehicles equipped with M272/273 engines, the cause could be the round plastic expansion plugs on the back of the cylinder heads (Figure 1). To resolve, perform the following.
Note: As of June 2008 production, new improved plugs were phased into production.
There are two different size plugs as listed below:
• p/n - A000 998 55 90 – 2 small expansion plugs
• p/n - A000 998 56 90 – 1 large expansion plug (engines without vacuum pump)
Remove the existing plugs, clean the opening and install new plugs (Figure 2). Note: The plug opening should free of grease or oil. No sealer should be used in the installation of the new plugs.
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