Mercedes W211 E320CDI aka the Tank
Discussion
MercedesClassic said:
The actuator on mine was done before I bought it and Indy says engine is good. However still occasionally when booting it from low revs it will buck quite badly. Not good if overtaking a tractor for example.
col1983 said:
Don’t be disheartened - the repairs will stop and you will start benefiting from the savings. Just make sure all the work you do is done right by professionals - marque specialists may cost a bit more but typically they know the common faults so can diagnose issues quicker and more accurately. Best of luck with it.
Thanks and has rung true with me, the car has been owned by same previous personal vast majority of its life, so I am expecting few niggles which hopefully now sorting all and after that should be ok. My problem is im a bit OCD with cars and like it to be right! Which can go at odds with cheap car motoring lol. Will keep update on how things progress, its in local garage to work and I know the owner while not Mercedes speacilsit hopefully should be competent at sorting general stuff out, and with some research and can also help guide.
RhysH said:
MercedesClassic said:
The actuator on mine was done before I bought it and Indy says engine is good. However still occasionally when booting it from low revs it will buck quite badly. Not good if overtaking a tractor for example.
Yeah it's been plugged into Star and don't think anything came up. The orange seal for the turbo pipe was twisted and gaping so that was changed and much improved.
It's to go in again for more suspension work hopefully minor. I was going to get glow plug 4 replaced too as that been giving bother after startup for about 30 secs but in past few weeks it's fixed itself. Has been a problem for about 6 months and I wanted it sorted before the cold starts got colder. That's one job off the list.
Col1983 is right in what he said as it chimes with me too. I loved my 320d but it wasn't without compromise and lack of refinement.
Back from service today. I have to say not the gearbox oil has change it has made the car super silky on gear change, tbh I thought it was ok before. Service seems to have helped overall though only driven 12 miles and not sure how much placebo?
Knocking on suspension he's had a check and cannot find anything to obviously but had a "fiddle about" and seems much better. (had both lower arms replaced last month)
Hopefully the spending is now coming to an end, im going to get tracking done this weekend and fingers crossed for awhile only thing that might be on horizon is actuator but lets see if was one off. plus ordered turbo seal and PCV which should help.
I nearly had small wobble when quickly look at the bills to understand I have spent nearly $1k not he car now! ouch.
Knocking on suspension he's had a check and cannot find anything to obviously but had a "fiddle about" and seems much better. (had both lower arms replaced last month)
Hopefully the spending is now coming to an end, im going to get tracking done this weekend and fingers crossed for awhile only thing that might be on horizon is actuator but lets see if was one off. plus ordered turbo seal and PCV which should help.
I nearly had small wobble when quickly look at the bills to understand I have spent nearly $1k not he car now! ouch.
Update on progress and its being an emotional one if im honest, when going ok love wafting along in the car, but then comes the hiccups... So list so far how much I have spent from memory (excuse the dolls signs on a US laptop)
Bluetooth module $100
Aircon regas and AC presume valve replace - $178
AC regas again with di fluid $60 as still leaking. (Found condenser leak, and a Mercedes specialist was highlight a 2.5k repair bill!!!! I walked away... FAST)
Local mobile AC fit a condenser and recharge $350
Front lower arms replaced and lambda sensor $408
Tracking $35
Oil service and gear box fluid change $305
Recently reading the PCV valve on these engines can cause issues, and have been upgraded so thought would swap this for $80 and fitted today:
New and old Part:
DSC_0116 by Rhys Hodge,
In process of fitting:
DSC_0115 by Rhys Hodge
All done:
DSC_0114 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/182288975@N02/]
And then what happens? The front spring has snapped!! Looking like a bill of $400 to replace and fit both with genuine Mercedes springs ($50 difference to non genuine).
Starting to think am I flogging a dead horse....
Bluetooth module $100
Aircon regas and AC presume valve replace - $178
AC regas again with di fluid $60 as still leaking. (Found condenser leak, and a Mercedes specialist was highlight a 2.5k repair bill!!!! I walked away... FAST)
Local mobile AC fit a condenser and recharge $350
Front lower arms replaced and lambda sensor $408
Tracking $35
Oil service and gear box fluid change $305
Recently reading the PCV valve on these engines can cause issues, and have been upgraded so thought would swap this for $80 and fitted today:
New and old Part:
DSC_0116 by Rhys Hodge, In process of fitting:
DSC_0115 by Rhys HodgeAll done:
DSC_0114 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/182288975@N02/]And then what happens? The front spring has snapped!! Looking like a bill of $400 to replace and fit both with genuine Mercedes springs ($50 difference to non genuine).
Starting to think am I flogging a dead horse....
RhysH said:
And then what happens? The front spring has snapped!! Looking like a bill of $400 to replace and fit both with genuine Mercedes springs ($50 difference to non genuine).
Starting to think am I flogging a dead horse....
State of UK roads I'm amazed they last as long as they do......Starting to think am I flogging a dead horse....
I recognise that you already do some stuff but you really need to start doing more yourself - spring replacement isn't hard and the labour element would probably pay for a decent set of spring compressors?
B'stard Child said:
RhysH said:
And then what happens? The front spring has snapped!! Looking like a bill of $400 to replace and fit both with genuine Mercedes springs ($50 difference to non genuine).
Starting to think am I flogging a dead horse....
State of UK roads I'm amazed they last as long as they do......Starting to think am I flogging a dead horse....
I recognise that you already do some stuff but you really need to start doing more yourself - spring replacement isn't hard and the labour element would probably pay for a decent set of spring compressors?
I knew the big ish Job I would have to get a garage involved, just all seem to be coming at once... The little job like pcv that I can do quickly I can still do myself.
Picked up today have the front springs replaced, though might as well at the same time to change the front shock with KYB versions and also passenger drop link. Cant believe the transformation to the car.. Has taken years of it and not a wallowing barge (as much as can call that on a w211).
Might get the rear shocks changed in the new year now also...
Might get the rear shocks changed in the new year now also...
Edited by RhysH on Saturday 21st December 19:22
As above, the wires to the mirror adjustment and folding motors, and to the heated element, have no particular treatment to allow folding, and eventually they give up:
Repairs necessitate removal of the door card, but are quite straightforward. I’ve turned off the folding when locked so hopefully the wires won’t break again, it’s only folded a few times a year now when it’s left in a tight spot.
Not pretty but it works and my “guess which wire goes where” was successful.
As to springs, yes, they’re almost consumables unfortunately. At that mileage, I’d recommend new engine mounts, they will make a massive difference to how it feels and sounds.
Repairs necessitate removal of the door card, but are quite straightforward. I’ve turned off the folding when locked so hopefully the wires won’t break again, it’s only folded a few times a year now when it’s left in a tight spot.
Not pretty but it works and my “guess which wire goes where” was successful.
As to springs, yes, they’re almost consumables unfortunately. At that mileage, I’d recommend new engine mounts, they will make a massive difference to how it feels and sounds.
surveyor said:
Did you sort the mirrors?
MB used to spec cheap wires which cracked on the fold. It was possible to take apart and rewire with flexible wires.
Yes forgot I fixed the mirrors! Traced it down to one of the wires had snapped (as mentioned above). When toke the mirror apart it was quite clear the was a two pin plug that connected to the folding the mirror motor. Found which one and replaced the wire on both sides. Now good as new and fully working. MB used to spec cheap wires which cracked on the fold. It was possible to take apart and rewire with flexible wires.
Still can't get over how much the front suspension refresh has transformed the car.... Might looking at getting rear shocks down just to complete in the coming months.
Gave myself a little xmas treat and put a private reg on the car!
DSC_0125 by Rhys Hodge
Always like the way private reg makes the car your own..
Gave myself a little xmas treat and put a private reg on the car!
DSC_0125 by Rhys HodgeAlways like the way private reg makes the car your own..
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