Service - Anything to be wary of?

[paul_c]

Hullo, I've just bought a W202 220CDI (2000 model), its on board service interval reminder is showing the service is shortly (600 miles) due. I've done servicing on loads of different cars before, so am confident about being able to change the oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter; and the other checks and lubrication etc too. I've also found online an owners handbook with the service interval resetting procedure for a petrol W202, is it the same (I can't copy and paste from the PDF, unfortunately, otherwise I would show it).

Is there anything to be wary of, or anything special or unusual with servicing the W202?

I know the previous owner used synthetic oil, I might as well keep on with this (and get a Mercedes spec oil) and the local parts factor is pretty good at matching the stuff to the particular car so should be okay here.

 

[paul73mt]

I know when i bought an oil filter for mine you got Merc oil for half price if you wanted to go down that route, but i believe Mercedes oil is Mobile 1

 

[paul_c]

I did a bit of a search around and determined the specification needed was MB229.3, I chose the cheapest oil of this spec from Euro Car Parts who are running a 'sale' this weekend, it was a little cheaper than Mobil 1.

 

[markjay]

Don't forget:

Brake fluid change (every 2 years)

Coolant change (schedule varies, usually every 2 years)

Cabin / Pollen filter change (usually 2 years)

ATF change - if Automatic (varies, typically every 37k-40k miles or 3-4 years)

 

[BlackC55]

Don't forget to check the front lower ball joints, lower arm bushes (lever to one side and check for cracks) and rear trunion bushes. All common to wear.

 

[Touche]

Prolly too late but Halfords do 4L of 5W/40 MB 229.3 spec oil for £10.

Halfords | Halfords 5W/40 Fully Synthetic Petrol & Diesel Oil 4L

I think that's probably the cheapest anywhere?

 

[paul_c]

As an update, I've done the "messy" items today in that I've done the oil change, fuel filter and air filter. The only issue was that I snapped a plastic fitting on one of the fuel lines, due to the cold weather, but it still seals and runs fine. I'll keep a close eye on it and probably replace the pipe or fitting if its not massively costly. (I dislike servicing outdoors in winter! But I'd just bought the car and the service was due, to no choice but to).

 

[Troon]

This may be of use:

Mercedes-Benz ESS

 

[paul_c]

This may be of use:

Mercedes-Benz ESS

Thanks, just had a look at the list and I've not missed anything out, I have a little list of my own in my head. At every service, I take the wheels off, have a good check around and look at the brakes etc, and the wipers/doors/battery/other items etc.

PS forgot to mention, I did a search around on the fuel filter change and found that in theory the system is self bleeding. And I didn't have one of them little bulb bleeders. So I bled the fuel system and restarted the engine by turning it over. But it took a LONG time (spread over 4 times with a rest, I didn't want to overheat wires/starter etc), and the battery was suffering after a while, so I'd recommend some better way to bleed the fuel system on these motors than wot I did!

 

[Dec]

Preventative maintenance;

-Check door lock and boot lock to insure the can be opened with the emergency key blade if the central locking or car battery or remote fob ever fail.

-Test trigger the alarm to check that it is actually working properly.

-Lubricate wiper mechanism.


Dec