Ml270 full tank mileage?

[jay1983]

I have brimmed my ml and am going to see what mileage I can get.
What concerns me however is the fact I done 20 miles and the needle stayed put on full. However this morning I went to work (5 miles away) and it dropped by 1/8!!
Is this normal?
Can any other ml270 owners post their full tank mileage so I can compare please. I'm thinking I should get around 350 miles from a full tank, that's 95% city driving (I work in Manchester city centre). Is this realistic?

 

[jaymanek]

Yes its normal behaviour for it to stay at full, its because the sender shows full when its not really full as you would have filled to the neck of the filler.

 

[trapperjohn]

It will be interesting to see what distance you get on your full tank Jay. Sorry I dont have a 270ML to compare figures with you.

 

[panason1c]

I get 450 miles to a tankful, up to the reserve light coming on.

 

[jay1983]

See I don't think I'll get anywhere near that ^^

 

[MYML270]

I'm currently doing a mileage test on ours after cleaning the EGR/manifold with the Wynn's system.

Also fitted the EGR shunt.

Will get back to you when I have a result.

At the moment the onboard computer tell me I am using 8lt/100km's

KenM

 

[jay1983]

Am planning on taking out egr to clean it and replace maf.
Hopefully that should make a difference.

 

[Jane270ML]

Only had my ML 270CDi for 3 weeks.
I've recently done a mileage check - filled to the neck, after 200 miles of local (a couple of 20 mile trips and a 160 mile trip in the very hilly snow covered Dales) re-filled = 27mpg
However, I have noticed the engine temperature hovers around the 60 degree mark, so a new thermostat is on the cards , which should increase mpg.

 

[gtvlusso]

I get 532miles over a tank from my ML270CDI - bestest ever, but not been far off in recent months.

Roughly 140 miles per 1/4 tank on long journeys and about 100 miles per 1/4 tank on town driving.

I drive like granny and tend to ride my bike allot around town!!

Yes - the guage is a bit dodgy, it is always a bit lower the next morning after usage.

MAF replacementr, EGR clean, thermostat and manifold clean all help in the battle for some more MPG. Ultimately, it is a 2.2 ton vehicle with a little engine, for its relative size, and auto box.

 

[jay1983]

I'm just concerned at the rapid rate the needle drops once it starts moving. I try to keep the car at under 2000 rpm and don't plant the throttle while movin off, but it's almost as if you can see the fuel dropping as I drive.
I've had the o-rings replaced and a leak test done on injectors so no problem there. And there is no smell of diesel.
At best recently I've been getting 50 miles from 1/4 tank. Anything else I can look at?

 

[gtvlusso]

I'm just concerned at the rapid rate the needle drops once it starts moving. I try to keep the car at under 2000 rpm and don't plant the throttle while movin off, but it's almost as if you can see the fuel dropping as I drive.
I've had the o-rings replaced and a leak test done on injectors so no problem there. And there is no smell of diesel.
At best recently I've been getting 50 miles from 1/4 tank. Anything else I can look at?

These are common'ish

Thermostat should be above 80 deg
MAF - you may get the engine running in limp mode - i.e. won't rev beyond 3k
EGR - clean it
MAP sensor - Manifold absolute pressure
Manifold clean/is there a split in the manifold (whooshing noise)
Tears and splits in hoses
injector seals/black carbon deposits around injectors suggests fail.

All of these impact fuel - a bloody good service often helps:

Engine oils and filters
Gearbox oil and filter
diff oils

In the current cold weather, MPG will go a bit awry as the engine will take longer to heat up.

Get it on a STAR machine.

 

[jay1983]

I've replaced thermostat so that's ok.
Waiting for decent weather so I can do the egr clean.
Had engine oil and filter changed at the same time as o-rings (December) so no problems there.
The above work was done by a merc specialist who carried out the injector leak test so I'm pretty sure they would have mentioned the black death if they seen it. They also had it on star and only picked up an open circuit to radiator fan which turned out to be maxi fuse.
Car has been into limp mode a couple of times but I find if I feather accelerator when car is cold, it doesn't happen.
Am gonna book car in for tranny service in spring and am gonna replace maf ASAP.
I've seen the thread on manifold clean and tbh after doin the thermostat it doesn't worry me. I just need good weather/time to do it all

 

[gtvlusso]

I've replaced thermostat so that's ok.
Waiting for decent weather so I can do the egr clean.
Had engine oil and filter changed at the same time as o-rings (December) so no problems there.
The above work was done by a merc specialist who carried out the injector leak test so I'm pretty sure they would have mentioned the black death if they seen it. They also had it on star and only picked up an open circuit to radiator fan which turned out to be maxi fuse.
Car has been into limp mode a couple of times but I find if I feather accelerator when car is cold, it doesn't happen.
Am gonna book car in for tranny service in spring and am gonna replace maf ASAP.
I've seen the thread on manifold clean and tbh after doin the thermostat it doesn't worry me. I just need good weather/time to do it all

Good luck - sounds like you have a plan in place.

The manifold *can* be a mindf*cker and a back breaker. Allocate a long day/weekend - it is not as simple as made out! An indie will charge a full days labour to remove/clean and re-install - so, be careful!

 

[gtvlusso]

Good luck - sounds like you have a plan in place.

The manifold *can* be a mindf*cker and a back breaker. Allocate a long day/weekend - it is not as simple as made out! An indie will charge a full days labour to remove/clean and re-install - so, be careful!

Forgot to mention - when you have the manifold off, worth changing the stepper motor that controls the swirl flaps and the manifold gaskets.

The stepper motors do fail (causes rough running/jerky rough acceleration). If the manifold does not re-seal correclty oil can drip out of it and into the stepper motor causing failure.

 

[jay1983]

Forgot to mention - when you have the manifold off, worth changing the stepper motor that controls the swirl flaps and the manifold gaskets.

The stepper motors do fail (causes rough running/jerky rough acceleration). If the manifold does not re-seal correclty oil can drip out of it and into the stepper motor causing failure.

How much for a new stepper motor?

I'm under no illusion the manifold will be easy lol. I'm defo gonna take my time with it and be very methodical. I've got all the tools to complete the job I just need the right weather

 

[gtvlusso]

How much for a new stepper motor?

I'm under no illusion the manifold will be easy lol. I'm defo gonna take my time with it and be very methodical. I've got all the tools to complete the job I just need the right weather

I think the motor and armature is £90. A new Manifold is about £300 - dealers usually have them on the shelf.

 

[jay1983]

Ok 1st 1/4 of tank gone. From full to 3/4 I have done ............... 43 miles
I'm thinking something is wrong.

 

[Gazz270]

I think the motor and armature is £90. A new Manifold is about £300 - dealers usually have them on the shelf.

new stepper is £124 +vat,just bought one for mine.
i woudnt mind but ive removed the butterfly valves in the inlet manifold so mine dosent actually do anything but still goes into limp mode if its faulty,
when i modded my manifold i cable tied the motor to the bulkhead for easier access,
your mpg probably isnt that far off if your pottering round town,
mine barely does 20 mpg round town but on a run on motorway will do 40+
at 55/60 mph

 

[MYML270]

new stepper is £124 +vat,just bought one for mine.
i woudnt mind but ive removed the butterfly valves in the inlet manifold so mine dosent actually do anything but still goes into limp mode if its faulty,
when i modded my manifold i cable tied the motor to the bulkhead for easier access,
your mpg probably isnt that far off if your pottering round town,
mine barely does 20 mpg round town but on a run on motorway will do 40+
at 55/60 mph

Hi Gazz,

Off the subject a little, but did you notice any substantial difference by blocking /removing the swirl valves in the manifold.

Mine are leaking oil and I am in two minds, whether to modify the manifold or replace it with a new one?

Thanks

KenM

 

[Gazz270]

i did mine because they were all clogged up with old oil which stopped them moving as they should,but it does run smoother when setting off from standstill and i am pretty sure my mpg got a little better although i didnt really check that closely when i did it,its very easy to do once the manifold is off and a lot cheaper than a new manifold,

hth
gazz