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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Maintenance and Repair

1173 messages,  Last post on Dec 25, 2012 at 12:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 89 of 118

#873 of 1173 2006 E350 Climate control by tnguyen17

Dec 01, 2006 (9:18 am)


 
The climate control for this car never work.
 
Outside temp 65 degrees
Cabin temp 70 degrees
I turned the tempurature knob to 76 degrees, then pushed Auto button, cold comes out the vents.
 
and
 
Outside temp 78 degrees
Cabin temp 85 degrees
I turned tempurature knob to 76 degrees, then pushed Auto button, Hot air comes out the vents. Drove around for 30 minutes, Air condition never kick in.
I have proved this to Mercedes dealership, and they said the car is at factory specification.
 
TBN

#875 of 1173 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? by jodar96

Dec 05, 2006 (7:51 pm)

Several days ago, my E430 with 84K miles developed a rattle that I have been hearing at take off, and at idling when the engine is warm. It sounded like some metalic bracket/hanger was loose.
 
I jacked up the car tonight and with a rag held on to both catalytic convertors one at a time while engine was running.
I did feel some rattles inside passenger side convertor. All brackets and hangers were tight.
 
Are the baffles inside the convertor breaking up? The engine runs fine, no check engine light, and the gas mileage still good.
 
Has anyone had this issue? Does MB have any warranty on convertors? My last car with a bad catalytic convertor was my 1977 Buick Skylark back in 1983.
 
I use 92-93 octane gas only, and the engine has never misfired or backfired.
 
Thanks,
Joe

#876 of 1173 Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [jodar96] by turquoise_e1

Dec 05, 2006 (11:53 pm)

Replying to: jodar96 (Dec 05, 2006 7:51 pm)
Joe, I had the same rattle in my 2000 E320 earlier this year and it was due to the converter broken into pieces. They need to be replaced. The converter costs $600+ material and a dealer workshop would charge $1000+ (incl labor) for it. But, I understand that Fed Law requires manufacturer to fix any catalytic converter problem if the car is less than 8 year old. I got mine fixed by MBUSA; the service manager took care of the paperwork. It may not hurt to talk to your service advisor or research about this 8 year old law that I read in some Edmund's forums.

#877 of 1173 Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [jodar96] by ray_h1

Dec 06, 2006 (11:22 am)

Replying to: jodar96 (Dec 05, 2006 7:51 pm)
The extended Federal Emissions Warranty for catalytic converters is 8 yrs/80,000 miles so it appears the catalytic converter replacement will be on your nickel. The other unit probably is not far behind. Some motor oil formulations are heavy in their zinc dialkyl-dithiophosphate additive treat rate used as an antiwear agent (for which it's very effective - and cheap to boot). Inevitably any reciprocating internal combustion engine will burn at least some of its motor oil - and the rate at which it does so will increase proportionately to its age. Consequently, some zinc and phosphate ash is sent into the exhaust stream. Unfortunately, both zinc and phosphate are highly suspected catalytic converter killers since those elements can "poison" the catalyst-coated ceramic beads inside catalytic converters over time. When the clearance between beads is reduced too much from the coating effect of the ZDDP combustion byproducts, the back pressure of exhaust gas trying to "squeeze" through the reduced space will bust the support grills holding the beads. Rattle-rattle. Newer motor oils for American, Japanese, and Korean engines use reduced amounts of ZDDP along with the substitution of highly effective, but pricier boron and molybdenum as alternate antiwear agents. Virtually all American motor oils are formulated with this in mind. These newer agents are also much less of a threat to catalytic converters. So far the pricey European synthetics mandated for Euro-cars are holding fast to traditional levles of ZDDP, though. Since the European union tests motor oils to different standards than does the rest of the automotive world, substituting commonly available American oils may not be in a Euro-car owner's best interest long term. There'll be a further reduction of ZDDP in the next generation motor oils in three years for American, Japanese, and Korean engines. I guess BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, etc. reason the patrician class capable of entry into Euro-car automotive exclusivity can likewise afford the more frequent emission system component replacements.

#878 of 1173 Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [ray_h1] by bigrobnh

Dec 06, 2006 (11:29 am)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Dec 06, 2006 11:22 am)
The benz dealer I go to uses Mobil-1 synthetic. Is that American or one of these pricey Europeans?
 
BigRob.

#879 of 1173 Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [ray_h1] by jodar96

Dec 07, 2006 (8:01 am)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Dec 06, 2006 11:22 am)
Guys, thanks for all of your reponses. The car is at the dealer now. I will be very ticked off if they tell me I need to pay for all of it. I don't mind paying some of it. As I said, the last time I had a catalytic converter problem, it was with my 1977 Buick. With 14 cars/trucks since 1978, this is the second car with this issue. The problem started with a HUM when I was accelerating from 50-60mph in the left lane. Now it apears that increased exhaust gas flow was being slowed down in the converter, causing the hum.
 
Your explaination with European spec oil does not explain why the car has issue with Mobil 1. Are you saying anyone using this oil will have catalytic convertor problem? Since new,when it was serviced at the dealer they used Mobile 1, I have changed the oil myself with Mobil 1 and have kept my receipt. The engine also has a cold start up tick tick noise. Is it the lifter noise? What is your thought on that. When the engine warms up, it stops.
   
What about the theory that Mercedes could have had a convertor supplier problem? material batch problem from tier 2 suppliers? or processesing problem at the supplier?
 
I am still not sure giving up my truely flawless 1996 Toyota Camry XLE V6 with 93K miles for this MB was a good idea. This MB is a great highway cruiser. With some 500 Ibs less weight, the Camry felt slightly light at 75-80, but ran flawlessly. The only dealer maiantenance was a $150 timing belt. In 10 years, that was IT. It also used any
on-sale 5W-30 motor oil, and never complained.
 
Joe

#880 of 1173 heated seats not so hot by revras

Dec 09, 2006 (10:08 am)

I just took delivery on a 2007 e350 and have noticed that the heated seats do not really heat much at all, on the highest heat setting it is barely warm. I previously had a 2005 e class which would roast you if you so desired. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Could this be a bad fuse etc or has their been a change in the whole mechanism?

#881 of 1173 Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [bigrobnh] by ray_h1

Dec 09, 2006 (10:28 am)

Replying to: bigrobnh (Dec 06, 2006 11:29 am)
Definitely American. According to Mobil's website, "Mobil 1 0W-40" is certified to meet the MB 229.5 certification. The only American lube I know of for certain that does meet Mercedes-Benz revised 229.51 spec is "Amsoil Synthetic 5W-40 European Engine Oil". There may be others including the Mobil 1 if the website hasn't been updated to reflect a recent formulation change. I do not know what the ".51" suffix brings to the table or whether it's necessary for your model year engine - check your owner's manual on that.
 
(I am NOT an Amsoil distributor - just an obsessive-compulsive, self-servicing, non-Benz, car owner.)

#882 of 1173 Re: heated seats not so hot [revras] by greasykid1

Dec 09, 2006 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: revras (Dec 09, 2006 10:08 am)
Don't know about 2007 E but my 2005 has toasters in the seats

Messages Page 89 of 118

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