E350 - kangaroo’ing

[CatMercedesE350]

Had my 2010 E350 CDI convertible for 2 years - full service history, 54,000 miles. No major problems, has been beautifully looked after and full service history with MB main dealer from new.

Problems started about a month ago, when starting from cold and driving off the revs started kangerooing/juddering around 1500 revs, revs up and down, then drives fine once on the motorway. Day after EML came on, took it into MB independant garage and obviously the EML went off that morning whilst en route After a few hours of diagnostics they came to the conclusion it could be the battery, so £600 later with a new battery I drove off. Obviously the following day the light was back on again, same issues when starting up. Back to the garage, this time with EML on. The outcome: the fault code was the air mass sensor, which when tested was fine, full diagnostic check all checked correct, they decided it was a wiring issues between the ecu and egr, again after a few hundred lighter, collected the car and made my merry way home.

Yep, that orange light presented itself once again to me this morning, same issue… after discussion with the technician they have advised it might be the air mass meter, 1.4K to replace, they have kindly offered to remove it if the problem doesn’t rectify itself after leaving my car with them for 4 days… just wondering has anyone else had any similar problems before I take a spin on the roulette wheel of air mass meters
Thanks
Cat

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , it such a pain in the **** when a car has a good service history.

I had a similar problem with a 4x4 and took the car to a local Audi specialist who asked me what fuel I ran the car on. I ran the car on Shell V power diesel but only just purchased it from a mate.He would run the car on any fuel he could find , had to be cheap was his moto.

The mechanic said to me always use the super fuels to keep an engine clean and it takes more than a tank full.

No doubt you will be swapped with good advice from our knowledgeable members but find a Mercedes specialist is paramount.

I have had the eml light come on twice and it was on both occasions it was the exhaust gas sensors that failed but the car drove normally.

 

[W1ghty]

Had my 2010 E350 CDI convertible for 2 years - full service history, 54,000 miles. No major problems, has been beautifully looked after and full service history with MB main dealer from new.

Problems started about a month ago, when starting from cold and driving off the revs started kangerooing/juddering around 1500 revs, revs up and down, then drives fine once on the motorway. Day after EML came on, took it into MB independant garage and obviously the EML went off that morning whilst en route After a few hours of diagnostics they came to the conclusion it could be the battery, so £600 later with a new battery I drove off. Obviously the following day the light was back on again, same issues when starting up. Back to the garage, this time with EML on. The outcome: the fault code was the air mass sensor, which when tested was fine, full diagnostic check all checked correct, they decided it was a wiring issues between the ecu and egr, again after a few hundred lighter, collected the car and made my merry way home.

Yep, that orange light presented itself once again to me this morning, same issue… after discussion with the technician they have advised it might be the air mass meter, 1.4K to replace, they have kindly offered to remove it if the problem doesn’t rectify itself after leaving my car with them for 4 days… just wondering has anyone else had any similar problems before I take a spin on the roulette wheel of air mass meters
Thanks
Cat

Exhaust back pressure sensor , cheap part , especially if it’s original , they don’t last forever . The small hole underneath can clog up with gunk …spray clean it if you are handy .
Kangarooing is a common question with the om642 engine .
Turbo actuator can be cleaned out and a small blob of grease put on the worm gear …. Cheap job as well .

 

[CatMercedesE350]

Hi , it such a pain in the **** when a car has a good service history.

I had a similar problem with a 4x4 and took the car to a local Audi specialist who asked me what fuel I ran the car on. I ran the car on Shell V power diesel but only just purchased it from a mate.He would run the car on any fuel he could find , had to be cheap was his moto.

The mechanic said to me always use the super fuels to keep an engine clean and it takes more than a tank full.

No doubt you will be swapped with good advice from our knowledgeable members but find a Mercedes specialist is paramount.

I have had the eml light come on twice and it was on both occasions it was the exhaust gas sensors that failed but the car drove normally.

Thanks, it’s only ever had Shell V power, the MB independent garage seem great but I’m just a little concerned they can’t find the problem, may have to consider taking it back to the main dealership!

 

[CatMercedesE350]

Exhaust back pressure sensor , cheap part , especially if it’s original , they don’t last forever . The small hole underneath can clog up with gunk …spray clean it if you are handy .
Kangarooing is a common question with the om642 engine .
Turbo actuator can be cleaned out and a small blob of grease put on the worm gear …. Cheap job as well .

Thanks, your suggestions sound like a much cheaper start in trying to identify the issue rather than diving into replacing such an expensive part! Cheers

 

[MrGreedy]

As soon as I started to read this thread I was thinking exhaust or DPF pressure sensor. I'm surprised the indy didn't pffer these as a first try due to the symptoms, lack of codes (which is common with these sensor faults) amd because they are quick and cheap to replace. Find and indy who knows how to reset the ECU once replaced and how to blow out the pipes.

 

[WilliamParsons]

Exhaust or DPF pressure sensor likely causes symptoms; check with an experienced indy who can reset the ECU and clean the pipes.

 

[boxer 01]

Had my 2010 E350 CDI convertible for 2 years - full service history, 54,000 miles. No major problems, has been beautifully looked after and full service history with MB main dealer from new.

Problems started about a month ago, when starting from cold and driving off the revs started kangerooing/juddering around 1500 revs, revs up and down, then drives fine once on the motorway. Day after EML came on, took it into MB independant garage and obviously the EML went off that morning whilst en route After a few hours of diagnostics they came to the conclusion it could be the battery, so £600 later with a new battery I drove off. Obviously the following day the light was back on again, same issues when starting up. Back to the garage, this time with EML on. The outcome: the fault code was the air mass sensor, which when tested was fine, full diagnostic check all checked correct, they decided it was a wiring issues between the ecu and egr, again after a few hundred lighter, collected the car and made my merry way home.

Yep, that orange light presented itself once again to me this morning, same issue… after discussion with the technician they have advised it might be the air mass meter, 1.4K to replace, they have kindly offered to remove it if the problem doesn’t rectify itself after leaving my car with them for 4 days… just wondering has anyone else had any similar problems before I take a spin on the roulette wheel of air mass meters
Thanks
Cat

600 pounds to get a new battery fitted wow am I missing something here is it a special battery.

 

[ToeKnee]

600 pounds to get a new battery fitted wow am I missing something here is it a special battery.

Included diagnostic fees maybe?

 

[philnewmerc]

Sometimes the main dealer can work out cheaper for hard to trace faults as they (in my experience )don't charge if it's not fixed. 600 quid to decide its a battery is very unreasonable and suggests profiteering to me. Take it somewhere else

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

When my DPF pressure sensor went, I didn't get any kangarooing just FYI

 

[BlackC55]

Very likely to be the turbo causing the fault. For a long term fix we fit new Garrett turbos and advise the customer to use premium fuel and and occasional Italian tune up.

 

[CatMercedesE350]

600 pounds to get a new battery fitted wow am I missing something here is it a special battery.

I think the 2 hours of diagnostic work bumped that price up, just a Bosch battery. Still too much considering the fault still exists

 

[CatMercedesE350]

As soon as I started to read this thread I was thinking exhaust or DPF pressure sensor. I'm surprised the indy didn't pffer these as a first try due to the symptoms, lack of codes (which is common with these sensor faults) amd because they are quick and cheap to replace. Find and indy who knows how to reset the ECU once replaced and how to blow out the pipes.

Thanks, the DPF sensor and connector were replaced in Feb 2022 so I think that’s why they haven’t considered this?

 

[CatMercedesE350]

Exhaust or DPF pressure sensor likely causes symptoms; check with an experienced indy who can reset the ECU and clean the pipes.

Thanks, DPF sensor and connector replaced in Feb 2022 so hopefully not that?

 

[CatMercedesE350]

Included diagnostic fees maybe?

Yes, correct, included 2 hours diagnostics

 

[WilliamParsons]

Suspect exhaust or DPF pressure sensor; common symptoms, lack of codes. Find an experienced mechanic to replace and reset ECU, clean pipes.

 

[CatMercedesE350]

Thanks, your suggestions sound like a much cheaper start in trying to identify the issue rather than diving into replacing such an expensive part! Cheers

Just reviewed the history and a new actuator motor was fitted in March 2021….

 

[CatMercedesE350]

Suspect exhaust or DPF pressure sensor; common symptoms, lack of codes. Find an experienced mechanic to replace and reset ECU, clean pipes.

Thanks, DPF sensor and connector replaced Feb 2022, I’m hoping they should have reset the ECU seen as they replaced the wiring 2 days ago between the ECU and EGR, but who knows? Actuator motor replaced 2021.. I think after reading everyone’s responses I may have to bite the money bullet and go back to the main dealers cap in hand… the Indy garage I’ve been using is apparently the best in the area…

 

[Flash]

On same engine had a similar issue and symptoms.

Transpired to be turbo boost pipe not being seated correctly by technician after a service. Error code indicated air mass issue.