Has glycol struck my E320 cdi ???

[HB]

Right guys. Last week the gearbox was juddering under light applications. 104k so I thought lets change the ATF. Steven at Borthwick and Malloch one of thew best Merc specialists in the country changed the fluid and hey presto it became smooth as hell.On the way to Manchester on Saturday, the coolant low sensor comes on after driving 200 miles. Dam. I make it to my destination and let it cool down. I top it up wiht 750ml of water and drive back up later that night. Now Sunday morning, I have a look and it needs another 750ml...where has the water gone ? Get it back to Steven on Monday and he strips it down to see the water pump has been gushing out water phew I said. But he then phones me and says this thing has a Valeo... so I suggest we change it while I've got the car in bits. Now a Merc rad is £630 and a Nissen is £300 ish. I hope I'm lucky and have caught it just in time before all the expensive bits got really contaminated.
I actually thought these cars were recalled for the Valeo and fitted with modifications.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

What year/plate is your W211?

 

[HB]

Hi sweetpea hope you re well. Its a 2003/53.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Hi sweetpea hope you re well. Its a 2003/53.

Good mate, thanks. Yourself?

I can't say that I've heard of Mercedes recalling anything.
If anything when the cars were under warranty 7-9 years ago and they 'discovered' the problem, they might have been changed on the hush-hush.

 

[HB]

I'm ok I'll just be around 500/600 quid poorer by the end of this week. You know these cars annoy the hell out me. Its got a full MB dealer history. I bought it from my good pal who had it since new as it is fully loaded AMG wheels Hk sunroof etc.... good car for the money but, my w208 320 is a 99 model with 175k. Original gearbox,original rad orig everything. It does not miss a beat. I spoke to the dealer about the issue and they said leave it with us we'll fix it and try to get some goodwill...yeh after screwing me with a 2k bill probably and then they"couldnt" get any goodwill.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

If it's got full Mercedes history I would be pushing for it done for free to be honest.

 

[HB]

Its already in bits at my Indy and to be honest man. I spoke to a few Merc guys off the record and because its over 8 years old with 104k on it, they will not entertain it. Maybe a small percentage goodwill if I'm lucky which will still make it much more expensive than my Indy fixing it. On the flipside I found some corrsion on it and they fixed all of it under warranty.

 

[HB]

All fixed and its running like new. I have found another 2/3 mpg as well I think.
Next , the SBC has reached the end of its life so I'll be in touch with MB for a replacement.

 

[AMG19]

Hi harrybutt, glad the cars all sorted.
Just thought I would mention that when my indy told me the SBC needed replacement I contacted the dealer direct and they were going to charge me for diagnostics before they replaced it under warranty.
I had my indy call on my behalf and book me in and hey presto they did it 100% free of charge.

 

[HB]

Hi harrybutt, glad the cars all sorted.
Just thought I would mention that when my indy told me the SBC needed replacement I contacted the dealer direct and they were going to charge me for diagnostics before they replaced it under warranty.
I had my indy call on my behalf and book me in and hey presto they did it 100% free of charge.

Thanks AMG19.
Now funny you say that. When Steven my Indy ran the Star on my car, the SBC came up with the error codes and said "end of service life" . He then called the dealer in front of me and told them and yes, I will also be getting the SBC sorted over the next couple of weeks by the dealer.

 

[Johnny-P]

Hi there
Sorry to sound a dope but what is the SBC??
Cheers

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Sensotronic Brake Control

 

[Johnny-P]

Cheers
How do you know when its on its way out??
Is it an expensive part??

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Cheers
How do you know when its on its way out??
Is it an expensive part??

I'm not sure how you can tell they're on their way out, it's never happened to any of my W211's.

I think they're about £1k, I might be wrong. If you were to argue the toss with Mercedes I think you get it gratis.

 

[HB]

Hi Johnny-P. My SBC started making a squeeling noise and I suspected something wrong. Plugged it into STAR and it said "SBC end of service life". My Indy called the dealer and I'll get myn replaced FOC by MB.
Sweetpea, hope you're well. Did Jimbo get hold of you as he was looking for a 211 320 cdi ?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Sweetpea, hope you're well. Did Jimbo get hold of you as he was looking for a 211 320 cdi ?

I'm good thanks.

Edit: I've just seen his post, thanks.

 

[Dryce]

Cheers
How do you know when its on its way out??
Is it an expensive part??

SBC is on pre-facelift 211s. (So up to about middle of 2006).

Usually what appears to happens is that the pump is reaching it's internal lifetime actuation limit. The time/mileage taken to reach this point is dependent on how the car has been used.

When this happens you get a big red warning on the dash saying to visit workshop.

So far MB usually replace the pumps for free in this situation if everything is above board.

Otherwise - yes - it's apparently £1000+.

 

[flt.eng]

Hi Johnny-P. My SBC started making a squeeling noise and I suspected something wrong. Plugged it into STAR and it said "SBC end of service life". My Indy called the dealer and I'll get myn replaced FOC by MB.
Sweetpea, hope you're well. Did Jimbo get hold of you as he was looking for a 211 320 cdi ?

I've just had the same experiance with my 03 w211 (53k) Can you tell me under what conditions you had this sqeaking noise. When MB were checking mine out I'm sure they did'nt put it on star.They drove it around, put it up on the ramp.Checked the wheels. let it down & the noise had gone.Coincidence.( read my threads under Brakes/suspension/etc.)
There is a 10yr. warranty on the SBC so if there is a problem, I want it sorted. Cheers

 

[Johnny-P]

I also have a squeeking under braking but only from the rear. 04 W211 320cdi est **********e 154000k.
I know my rear pads need changing as it was brought up as a reminder onthe last service.
They are being changed on monday along with a new torque convertor so hopefully that is the cause of the noise.!!!
I take it that if it is the SBC that MB will change foc as its still under 10yrs???
Are there any exceptions that they would not entertain it??

 

[HB]

I've just had the same experiance with my 03 w211 (53k) Can you tell me under what conditions you had this sqeaking noise. When MB were checking mine out I'm sure they did'nt put it on star.They drove it around, put it up on the ramp.Checked the wheels. let it down & the noise had gone.Coincidence.( read my threads under Brakes/suspension/etc.)
There is a 10yr. warranty on the SBC so if there is a problem, I want it sorted. Cheers

Hi there.
Ok one day coming out the office, I unlocked the car and pump made a high pitched squealing noise. But, I had no SBC warning lights in the display. I took it to my Indy and when he plugged the STAR in it clearly said "SBC end of service life." He called the Merc people from there immediately and I'm just waiting on them calling me to take it away to get it sorted. IT DOES HAVE A 10 YEAR WARRANTY so DO NOT let them mess you about. One dealer told me they will always look at the cheapest option to fix warranty items but in terms of this SBC I believe the only way is to change it. I assume yours has had the SBC software update ?
Take it to a different dealer. Remember they are all nearly human and will deal with various customers individually.