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limp mode, black smoke

Shell 2003

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Joined
Dec 29, 2014
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18
Car
mercedes e320 cdi auto estate
Hi, my e320 cdi 2003 is going into limp mode all the time, especially on hills. It seems to be "missing". Star codes: P1189 Inlet port shutoff valve and p0100 hot film maf sensor.
Changed injector seals and recently had turbo reconditioned so that's working fine. Loads of thick black smoke when turbo kicks in after resetting it to get out of limp mode. Any ides please? Thanks
 
The Citroen HDi I recently sold had a black smoke issue.

It turned out to be a split in the large diameter hose from the intercooler.

I would check all your hoses for air leaks.
 
Also, the oil level warning "reduce oil level!" light came on a fortnight ago and has been coming on more frequently these last few days. Dont think this model has and EGR and all pipes been checked :(
 
For a 2003 it should be a W210.

Whether it is a W210 or W211, it has an EGR that cokes up fairly significantly and causes the problems you have said.

It needs taking off and cleaning
 
Thanks for replies. EGR valve checked and working fine. Seems there is a problem with manifold. Will check forum for relevent material and then repost if I can't find solution. Thanks again
 
Thanks for replies. EGR valve checked and working fine. Seems there is a problem with manifold. Will check forum for relevent material and then repost if I can't find solution. Thanks again

Please repost if you get this sorted as it may help others with the same problem :thumb:
 
Recent work:
Turbo reconditioned
New exhaust back box
Had some injector seals replaced at dodgy garage and they damaged cylinder head (since repaired with chemical metal which is still soft
crazy.gif
) and we had problems with two injectors leaking (they have tried to rectify this also). There is a small amount of liquid seeping out of the chemical metal but garage reassured me that it is not causing a problem.
Now star is saying code p1189-016 M55 (inlet port shutoff motor) positioner signals fault (message through ground keyring)
The MAF fault has gone and there is another fault " p2502 The gear is implausible or the transmission is slipping."
 
The cylinder head work sounds bloody terrible to me. Who's doing it? Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder?
 
I think there's three main issues, from the above info. you give
A fault with the inlet flaps or their motor, as the fault code says.
Autobox low on atf, or a host of other things needing a STAR to cofirm.
Engine oil rising, hence is being diluted with diesel. With the common rail Bosch CP1 fuel pump not being prone to leaking into engine, that would suggest one or more dribbling fuel injectors.

Get a proper STAR diag and get rid of those comedians...
 
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It was Pontlliw service station in Swansea, South Wales that did the job. What shouldve been a straightforward injector seal replacement turned out to be a catastrophe. I asked them if they had the correct tool (slide hammer or similar) and they said yes but instead of using a tool they decided to lubricate them and get them out using engine pressure by revving up the car. They must have had a good try at getting them out a different way first though, which resulted in them damaging he head to the extent that there is now three seperate areas of chemical metal on the head and on injector 4 and a massive bolt on injector 6. Apparantly the bloke who did the job has now left the company but it took me several weeks to get hold of the owner and i was told not to contact them again as they were sick of me ringing and they denied they were at fault. Sent my brother round to have a chat and garage offered money back. Damage to car worth a lot more than the £220 i paid originally so we declined. He finally agreed to put things right. Chemical metal still leaking and possibly another injector leak but at least there isnt diesel spraying me in the face when i open the bonnet now! Taken them to trading standards but not banking on a result- hoping to get everything sorted myself and then try claiming some money back. STAR didnt pick up the leaky injectors and have just noticed that the turbo is leaking too. Not having much luck :(
 
A sorry tale, bad luck!

You might want to edit out their name for the time being, though.
 
Thought I would post an update- injector/head trouble still being investigated through trading standards but in relation to lack of power, butterfly valve etc, the other half bought a bottle of Red Ex diesel cleaner, used it once and noticed a slight improvement. Unsure whether it was all in our minds or not so we bought another bottle and stuck that in about 3 tanks later and like a magic potion it has fixed our troubles!!!! Car drives perfectly- amazing stuff, not sure what it has done exactly but touch wood- everything seems great. Turbo working really well, no loss of power, much smoother drive!
 

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