OM651 BlueEfficiency injectors - recall?

[elmariachi]

Hi.

Considering buying a 2010 C220 CDI BE in good condition with 70k on the clock but have been reading a lot about injector problems.

Is there a guide for what to look for visually when inspecting the engine to see if replacement for the solenoid type has already been done? I'm not massively mechanical and haven't been able to find a clear diagram.

Did the piezo injector issue ever turn into an 'official' recall? i.e. if it hasn't been done and I buy the car, can I get it done FOC at a main dealer?

Sorry for dragging this issue up again but there's so much chatter around this and I'm just looking for a clear answer.

Would it be better to just go for a car with the standard 220 engine and not the BlueEfficiency?

Thanks,

David

 

[MercedesDriver]

Look under the bonnet, take of the plastic engine cover off and if on engine control module is written SOLENOID you shouldn’t worry.
ECM should look like above.
Edit: It means it’s updated and you wont have problems with injectors.

 

[grober]

All I can tell you is that the changeover to solenoid type injectors on the OM651 engine FROM THE FACTORY began mid to late 2012.
Another clue is that piezo injectors have no fuel return pipes from the injectors whereas the solenoid type do. If you lift the engine cover you see quite clearly- turn the central black slotted locking pin head at the front through 90 lift the front edges gently up and then draw the cover forwards to clear the two rear horizontal locating pins at the back.

 

[MercedesDriver]

All I can tell you is that the changeover to solenoid type injectors on the OM651 engine FROM THE FACTORY began mid to late 2012.
Another clue is that piezo injectors have no fuel return pipes from the injectors whereas the solenoid type do. If you lift the engine cover you see quite clearly- turn the central black slotted locking pin head at the front through 90 lift the front edges gently up and then draw the cover forwards to clear the two rear horizontal locating pins at the back.

My OM651 is 04/2010 registered and wasn’t recalled but with solenoid injectors. I think I read somewhere the factory transition came on late 2009, November/December.

 

[elmariachi]

That's helpful, thanks all. I'd read about the presence of fuel return pipes but have no idea how to distinguish them from any other pipes

 

[grober]

Heres a picture of an OM651 with factory fit solenoid injectors--- the supply pipes are the shiny metalic looking ones- the returns are the black flexibles with the blue writing on them. retro fit ones may look slightly different but you get the idea. post up a piccy and someone will be able to tell you?

 

[elmariachi]

Spoke to my local Mercedes independent specialist and he advised me to steer clear of those early BE engines as they were a new design at the time and he's seen a few problems with them - the OM651 engine in general.

His choice would be the older OM646 as they're apparently bulletproof.

Not what I wanted to hear but glad I asked the question, I guess. Shame as the BE engines also come with the 7G gearbox as opposed to the 5G of the non-BE.

 

[grober]

Wouldn't disagree on that one the OM651 was just starting out ----piezo injectors, twin turbos, rear timing chain, variable water pumps etc lots of new tech to go wrong. The more conventional single turbo solenoid injector OM646 had most of the wrinkles ironed out by the end of its run by the time it was slotted into the W204. Unfortunately altho capable of mega miles by this time most of the OM 646 engined cars have actually covered them already and things do eventually go wrong with EGR valves, turbos and injectors so tread carefully.