Recall - SBC pump on my E500

[03E500]

Hi,

I have just picked up my 03 E500, so far I am very impressed with the gadgets and most importantly the performance.

I called MB this afternoon to find out if there is any outstanding work (i.e. recall) which has not been performed on the car and was subsequently told that the SBC pump on the car has not been replaced. Of course, MB is going to do it free of charge, just a bit inconvenient though.

Anyway, will they be able to replace this SBC pump with something a bit more reliable, maybe the same unit from the current facelift model?

I wonder if I can get the mto check out this Valeo radiator as well, I have seen a few postings about how the radiator fluid leaks into Automatic transmission fluid which caused thousands of damage.... Was there ever a recall on the radiator ?

This is my first MB, so any helpful hint very much appreciated. Hopefully, the E class is not as unreliable as some of the postings made it to be...

Cheers.

 

[Dieselman]

I called MB this afternoon to find out if there is any outstanding work (i.e. recall) which has not been performed on the car and was subsequently told that the SBC pump on the car has not been replaced. Of course, MB is going to do it free of charge, just a bit inconvenient though.

Anyway, will they be able to replace this SBC pump with something a bit more reliable, maybe the same unit from the current facelift model?
.

It certainly won't be from the facelift car because SBC has been dropped from all the range except the SL and that's only because it would be too expensive to rework that car.

 

[glojo]

I have just picked up my 03 E500, so far I am very impressed with the gadgets and most importantly the performance.

Hi 03E500,
Could you please tell me why this SBC recall is only now being carried out?

There is NO recall regarding your other question.

Regards,
John

 

[DieselE]

I'm a bit puzzled by the talk of replacing the SBC pump. The recall that was carried out on all 211 range Es was to add additional fixings to the pump in order to more securely locate the electrical plug on the side of the unit.

The reason for the recall was a very small number of instances where the SBC unit shut itself down because the electrical connections failed. There were an even smaller number of cases, restricted to very high mileage vehicles, where the unit reported that it had exceeded the total number of operations expected during its lifetime.

As it looks like you're finding out, the only problem with recalls is that they rely on the vehicle's owner taking the car in to a dealer. If you bought your car from a dealer you might well ask why they did not complete all recall work before delivering the car to you. However, my guess from your post is that you bought privately and then, very sensibly, checked with MB to see if all recalls had been done.

I'm sure you'll have many years happy motoring. Mind you I expect you'll be a much more frequent visitor to fuelling points than I am with my diesel.

 

[glojo]

I'm a bit puzzled by the talk of replacing the SBC pump. The recall that was carried out on all 211 range Es was to add additional fixings to the pump in order to more securely locate the electrical plug on the side of the unit.

Hi DieselE,
Sorry about this, but your nearly completely correct. Hopefully this car had all the various upgrades carried out, plus the other SBC recalls?

Regards,
John

 

[03E500]

Thanks guy, as teh car had full MB service history, I also expected to see that all recall works have been carried out.

I just called up MB to verify that there is no outstanding recall work to be carried out, and was told there was one item outstanding.... then subsequently told that it was no longer necessary.

Well, I used the chance to get MB to carry out a glycol test jsut to see if I may have one of those nasty issues, and it checked out ok. So, do I need to worry about this? should I replace the radiator as a preventative action?

Anyone know the percentage of 211's ended up with that the radiator collant leaking into AT issue? Are ALL the early 211s equipped with the faulty valeo radiator?

Cheers.

 

[DieselE]

Hi DieselE,
Sorry about this, but your nearly completely correct. John

Hi John,

Shows you learn something everyday. I now know the polite way of saying wrong is nearly completely correct.

As I haven't had a letter about this year's recalls, I assume it's not in the range affected but I must remember to ask when it goes in for its next service. Edit: Just noticed its for model year 2004. As mine is 2005 it's probably not affected.

Cheers

 

[splang]

EEK! I'm going to phone Merc to check if my one has had the recall/ upgrade!

Thanks

 

[glojo]

Thanks guy, as teh car had full MB service history, I also expected to see that all recall works have been carried out.

I just called up MB to verify that there is no outstanding recall work to be carried out, and was told there was one item outstanding.... then subsequently told that it was no longer necessary.

Hi 03E500,
I would be very aware of the choice of wording that is being used. There have only been a few RECALLS!! per sea, BUT.... There has been well in excess of fourteen flash upgrades that MIGHT be needed for your vehicle. Please note the word MIGHT. I am NOT saying your vehicle needs all of them, I am NOT saying your vehicle has NOT had them, just be aware that they have been issued.

Has your car got COMAND? (We all know what's coming next! )

Happy motoring,
John