E350 (W212) Limp Mode - Boost Pressure Regulator

[philc215]

Hi All,

I am looking for a bit of advice and will apologise now for my lack of mechanical understanding!

So, a have 2009 E350 that since yesterday has started running in limp mode.
It seems to rev up to 3000 RPM before changing gear, has no power and i have little control over manual gear changes anymore.

I have run some diagnostic software with the results pointing to the Boost Pressure Regulator.





It recently had the Orange seal changed due to being split, so i popped this off to check.
The small pipe that connects in from the right (I did warn you ;-) ) seems quite loose and there does appear to be a fair amount of oil under the hosing.

I have checked all the fuses which seem fine, and will most likely get it to a garage next week, I was just hoping someone might have seen this before.

Thank you,


Phil

 

[AndrewOl]

Hi Phil, the oil you are seeing is normal. It comes from the crankcase ventilation system which is at the other end of that small pipe. From your codes it looks like you have two separate issues which is odd if the car was running normally before. Both these things are common problems but I’m suspicious of two things going wrong at the same time. It is always worth getting the car diagnosed by a mb specialist with the correct Star diagnostic equipment. I use Pentangle in Southampton if that is not too far for you. The good news is that both the boost regulator and the intake valve can be repaired/replaced. The intake valve can be bypassed cheaply but it depends how you feel about that. The regulator can be changed for a refurbished unit as mb only sell new ones with a whole turbo, which is handy. The split seal has probably leaked oil onto the intake valve motor which is right under the turbo inlet. You need to strip quite a bit out to get to it, hence why some decide to bypass it.

 

[Jobsworth]

It’s unlikely both items have failed at the same time. Both items do share a common 5v supply though, which also feeds the EGR valve and the exhaust back pressure sensor. It’s quite likely that one of these components has gone bad and is drawing a high current meaning the others may malfunction due to the low voltage. The intake flap motor is pretty common for this, as it often gets soaked with oil, and you look pretty oily in that area. A resistor fix can quickly eliminate whether it’s that or not, regardless of how you plan to proceed in the longer term

 

[philc215]

Thanks for the advice guys. One thing that i didn't think was related...... I did swap a 12v phone charger in the glovebox the day before., But the socket is still live ( and i have disconnected the charger now)

A checked all the fuses I could find. (fuse box under bonnet + fuse box in the boot) all are fine, so would be surprised if it was linked?

 

[philc215]

Hi All,

Latest update, I tried the resistor work around with the swirl motors and it made no difference.

I also went ahead and replaced the Turbo Actuator - which also made no difference.

My latest set of error codes are attached and its reporting a DPF issue. Do you think this could be the root of all these errors after all?

I am getting to the end of my tether, the only local Merc garage i could find locally refused to even look at it as they are busy making more money servicing existing clients :-(

 

[DSM10000]

Not sure where in Wiltshire you are but I can recommend this MB Specialist:

HOME | mysite

www.headlandsgarage.com

Also, why complain that a Garage you approached was busy with it's existing customers cars?

That is the business model after all and they probably couldn't see you for some time whilst they get through work already booked

 

[W1ghty]

Hi All,

Latest update, I tried the resistor work around with the swirl motors and it made no difference.

I also went ahead and replaced the Turbo Actuator - which also made no difference.

My latest set of error codes are attached and its reporting a DPF issue. Do you think this could be the root of all these errors after all?

I am getting to the end of my tether, the only local Merc garage i could find locally refused to even look at it as they are busy making more money servicing existing clients :-(

Do you have a dpf ?
I don’t think an actuator ,inlet port motor/swirl flap issue will be caused by a dpf issue .
Maybe a non MB fault code reader is not that good at interrogating a Merc ?

 

[W1ghty]

Have you cleaned the underside hole on the exhaust back pressure sensor , they block up with black gunk .

 

[W1ghty]

Hi All,

Latest update, I tried the resistor work around with the swirl motors and it made no difference.

I also went ahead and replaced the Turbo Actuator - which also made no difference.

My latest set of error codes are attached and its reporting a DPF issue. Do you think this could be the root of all these errors after all?

I am getting to the end of my tether, the only local Merc garage i could find locally refused to even look at it as they are busy making more money servicing existing clients :-(

Did the new actuator match up with the G number on the old one ?

 

[philc215]

Not sure where in Wiltshire you are but I can recommend this MB Specialist:

HOME | mysite

www.headlandsgarage.com

Also, why complain that a Garage you approached was busy with it's existing customers cars?

That is the business model after all and they probably couldn't see you for some time whilst they get through work already booked

Thanks for this, I am only 20 Miles from Salisbury.


I didnt mean for the previous comment to come across the way it did, i fully understand how busy decent garages can get, just venting!

 

[DSM10000]

Thanks for this, I am only 20 Miles from Salisbury.


I didnt mean for the previous comment to come across the way it did, i fully understand how busy decent garages can get, just venting!

Pete at Headlands is an ex Head MB Technician and is very knowledgeable plus he has Star and Xentry for diagnostic purposes plus a couple of courtesy cars (one manual Peugeot and an Automatic Focus)

Worth a call at least

 

[Tekman]

Hi All,

Latest update, I tried the resistor work around with the swirl motors and it made no difference.

I also went ahead and replaced the Turbo Actuator - which also made no difference.

My latest set of error codes are attached and its reporting a DPF issue. Do you think this could be the root of all these errors after all?

I am getting to the end of my tether, the only local Merc garage i could find locally refused to even look at it as they are busy making more money servicing existing clients :-(

Hi Philc215
look`s like we got same problem I am in process of changing boost Actuator my scanner telling me their is a short circuit to ground on my intake port shut off (Lol swirl flap) me think`s , and my EGR , just had a chat with my future grandson in law he work`s with a guy who does re mapping so going to talk to he a get is feedback so I am watching your chat if I make progress will up date you

 

[AndrewOl]

Have you checked your fuses carefully? Does seem like a lot of faults to appear all at once. With the swirl flap motor plug off and no resistor in place are you still getting the m55 short error?

 

[Tekman]

Have you checked your fuses carefully? Does seem like a lot of faults to appear all at once. With the swirl flap motor plug off and no resistor in place are you still getting the m55 short err

I have and it still show`s everthing fine with fuse`s so tomorrow will pull egr valve off check it and clean pressure sensor too and clean but I am considerig a remap an have them deleted Grandson`s work mate told him have good look at wiring near egr has it has been know to rub and short

 

[Tekman]

Hi All,

I am looking for a bit of advice and will apologise now for my lack of mechanical understanding!

So, a have 2009 E350 that since yesterday has started running in limp mode.
It seems to rev up to 3000 RPM before changing gear, has no power and i have little control over manual gear changes anymore.

I have run some diagnostic software with the results pointing to the Boost Pressure Regulator.

View attachment 137061
View attachment 137062


It recently had the Orange seal changed due to being split, so i popped this off to check.
The small pipe that connects in from the right (I did warn you ;-) ) seems quite loose and there does appear to be a fair amount of oil under the hosing.

I have checked all the fuses which seem fine, and will most likely get it to a garage next week, I was just hoping someone might have seen this before.

Thank you,


Phil

Hi Phil
I have had the same codes come up took my EGR off gave it a good clean removed Exhaust pressure sensor good clean put a modification silicone pipe in place of orange seals stops any future leak`s
then I removed 4 fuses that control engine

noticed that the blades on new ones have thiner blades so sorted out some with thicker blades
put it alltogether then fitted new boost actuator started her up sound great rev up 5000 rpm straight away couldnt get it passed 3000 rpm now kickdown work`s and she very responsive on test drive got back plugged my scanner in no code found
hope some of this might help you with yours