- #891 of 1094
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Re: 2006 E350 Climate control [tnguyen17]
by microrepair
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Dec 27, 2006 (4:55 pm)
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Replying to: tnguyen17 (Dec 01, 2006 8:18 am)
When I got my first E-class ( a used 96) I couldn't believe how bad the AC was and complained to the service dept. at my dealership. The simple fix was to make sure that the center vent outlets on the dashboard were NOT aimed upwards, but aimed horizontal or downward. When the vents are sending air UP, the air is aimed directly at the cabin temperature sensor mounted above the rear view mirror and totally fools the system's computer..! Once I aimed the center vents horizontally, the AC worked great!!!
This might be a big part of your problem..
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- #892 of 1094
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Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [jodar96]
by microrepair
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Dec 27, 2006 (5:05 pm)
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Replying to: jodar96 (Dec 05, 2006 6:51 pm)
I had the same rattle on my 2001 E320 a few weeks back and drove to the dealer as soon as I could get there. I was afraid something was about to fall off or otherwise self destruct. As soon as the service manager walked up the car, he smiled and said it was a converter. They checked it out with some fancy gizmo a few days later and said the other converter was alright but the right hand one had gone bad and would not pass inspection unless replaced. They quoted $970 and I screamed in pain.. I too thought that all emissions parts were covered under federal law to 100K miles. So I went to my local mechanic who replaced it for about $830 even though he had to pay the MB price for the converter itself.
I had searched the internet for cheaper converters and asked my mechanic about them. His advice is to stay away from them because the 3rd party ones don't have the full load of precious metals needed to last for a reasonable time. He did a cheap one for a customer last year and in 3 months it had gone bad and then the customer had to pay for the OEM part anyway.
I had forgotten that the left side converter was replaced by the dealer under warranty at around 65K miles. My 96 had never needed a converter when I finally sold it at 140K miles. Converters are just one more item that MB has chosen to cheapen up...!
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- #893 of 1094
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Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [microrepair]
by jodar96
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Dec 28, 2006 (9:15 am)
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Replying to: microrepair (Dec 27, 2006 5:05 pm)
How many miles do you have on your 01 E320? After looking at the catalytic converter assembly..I call it assembly since there are two converters one undeneath and one by firewall, I would only use OEM part. I don't care how much they charge. Aftermarket is good for oil filters, bulbs, but not this item.
The service manager said that just because one was bad that does not mean the other one will go bad....Oh well, both of yours went bad. I am glad they replaced mine under warranty.
I need to start saving my money for the time when the other one goes bad!! I doubt MB cheapened the part. The part supplier could have had raw material/processing issues.
Joe
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- #894 of 1094
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Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [jodar96]
by microrepair
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Jan 05, 2007 (2:43 pm)
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Replying to: jodar96 (Dec 28, 2006 9:15 am)
Yes, the converter is an assy of two converters and connecting pipes. My 01 E320 had approx. 84K miles when the second assy had to be replaced.
You mention aftermarket bulbs; I just discovered yesterday that NAPA dealers carry a lot of the weird bulbs for MB's. You can save enough for 2 cups of coffee on each bulb..
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- #895 of 1094
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Re: Safety news/ Headgasket [ray_h1]
by ccmbduong1
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Jan 06, 2007 (1:45 pm)
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Replying to: ray_h1 (Dec 23, 2006 10:18 am)
Thanks Ray h1... I checked and saw no oil floating on surface of coolant, oil level seems unchanged for months, I also checked trans oil dip stick and observed no change... So where is oil leak coming from... Any suggestion? Maybe I should take it to my indy master mechanic to check it out. Thanks
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- #896 of 1094
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Re: 2001 E430 Bad Catalytic Convertor?? [microrepair]
by blckislandguy
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Jan 07, 2007 (7:43 am)
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Replying to: microrepair (Jan 05, 2007 2:43 pm)
Micro, you've mentioned in the past the good luck you've had with your Boston-area MB dealer. I'd appreciate it if you would let us know who it is. What town is your indy master mechanic in?
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- #897 of 1094
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Re: Safety news/ Headgasket [ccmbduong1]
by ray_h1
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Jan 08, 2007 (8:54 pm)
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Replying to: ccmbduong1 (Jan 06, 2007 1:45 pm)
)) "So where is oil leak coming from" ((
Having a trusted mechanic check it out for you is likely your best bet. My own guess is that you've got a relatively minor gasket leak somewhere. Nuisance stuff - maybe even somewhat involved* to get to and fix, but nothing catastrophic.
*Hey, it's a Benz - if there's a more complicated way to do something simple, Daimler-Benz will eventually discover and implement it... 
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- #898 of 1094
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Good riddens 2002 E320
by mukhtar
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Jan 12, 2007 (6:39 pm)
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I have now sold my 2002 E320. So relieved. It has been nothing but trouble that car. I kept taking it back to the dealer for repairs and replacement of parts. Luckily I hadn't needed to pay a cent as repairs were covered under warranty. But the inconvenience of taking it there so often, on average once or more every 2 months, the receptionist learnt my first name for seeing me too often. I will never ever buy a Mercedes  .
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- #899 of 1094
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Re: Update on smoking E 350 [engineer1]
by engineer1
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Jan 15, 2007 (10:12 am)
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Replying to: engineer1 (Nov 28, 2006 4:56 pm)
latest on smoking E-350. since software update was installed on oil pressure monitor, no sign of smoke. admittedly haven't driven the car that much lately, but looks promising. again the software folks bite; seems to be the story of my life. 
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- #900 of 1094
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Re: Safety news/ Headgasket [ray_h1]
by ccmbduong1
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Jan 17, 2007 (2:16 pm)
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Replying to: ray_h1 (Jan 08, 2007 8:54 pm)
Confirmed by my mechanic that's a head gasket problem (normal for '96 E320 at around 80-120K miles)... Mine is only 77K. Two dealers want $2000-2200... My MB mechanic quoted $1500-$1800 , but he does not know the final $$$ until he opens the engine. Have my car scheduled for next Tuesday with my MB indy, he told me that it probably takes 3 days... and this guy is very good, he also has a machine shop just in case that he needs to planarize the head... Will let you guys know when it's done
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