Underpowered, vibration, exhaust smell & now EML!

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dxnnyk

New Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Messages
2
Location
England
Car
MB W213 E350d 2017 (67)
Hi all.

RE: W213 E350d 2017 (67), OM642

Recently purchased the above vehicle. A week into ownership have noticed the following issues:

- hesitation under hard acceleration
- exhaust smell in cabin when stationary (but not when moving)
- significant vibration through the cabin (only when engine is cold) felt in seats and steering wheel
- large amounts of (white) smoke coming from the exhaust (particularly when engine is cold)
- slightly rough/noisy sounding (when both warm and cold)
- today's development: engine management light

After the EML this evening, I parked the car up and restarted after a couple of hours. Engine management light has now disappeared (didn't reappear, despite a bit of revs), and I've not driven the car since.


My trusted mechanic does not have a STAR, and I don't wish to be taken for a ride by indy/MB. Does anyone have any ideas/experience as to what could be causing these symptoms?

I might also purchase a diagnostics tool before taking it to a mechanic for indicative purposes - is there any in particular that come recommended? I've done some searching, and the iCarsoft MB V3.0 seems to be the one to have?


Would appreciate any insight.
Many thanks.
 
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If you dont want to be "taken for a ride" and your mechanic has no clue then it's just a guessing game.

Have you spoke to them who
sold you the car. Did you know of these faults.

I would recommend a MB indy to go over the car, seems you have more than ine problem there.

Keep us posted!
 
Why would an MB independent be untrustworthy?

What do you base your assumption on?
 
You need a STAR to do the diagnosis. Tell us where you live and somebody will know of a decent indie in the area.
 
It's a four year old car, presumably sold to you by a dealer, or by a private individual trading it on after having picked it up off an auction site - so why haven't you raised this with them?

While I agree with the comments of the honourable gentlemen above, if you want to run basic diagnostics, the Icarsoft (doesn't need to be a v3.0) will do a fine job, but are you sure you'll understand its output?

I'm a bit sceptical about this because there's a pretty obvious cause to this kind of basic misfire.

Once you have the readings, are you going to fix it yourself, or are you just going to go to a garage or independent MB specialist to do the fix for you - because if you do, the first thing they'll do is put an OBD2 reader or STAR on it themselves.
 
If you dont want to be "taken for a ride" and your mechanic has no clue then it's just a guessing game.

Have you spoke to them who
sold you the car. Did you know of these faults.

I would recommend a MB indy to go over the car, seems you have more than ine problem there.

Keep us posted!
Purchased at auction. Not sure if my mechanic can work it out or not; he's been pretty decent in the past - it's just a matter of not having a STAR.

Why would an MB independent be untrustworthy?

What do you base your assumption on?
Past experience with a very sick car! W211 with an 'ESP inoperative, see owner's manual' and numerous other electrical issues (although I knew about them at purchase, couldn't get it repaired and had to part exchange in the end).
Local MB indies wanted extortionate amounts for 'diagnosis' without any sort of rough idea as to what could be causing it, which didn't sit right with me at the time.

You need a STAR to do the diagnosis. Tell us where you live and somebody will know of a decent indie in the area.
Does that mean an iCarsoft unit won't give me any useful information? I live in Birmingham.

EDIT:
While I agree with the comments of the honourable gentlemen above, if you want to run basic diagnostics, the Icarsoft (doesn't need to be a v3.0) will do a fine job, but are you sure you'll understand its output?

I'm a bit sceptical about this because there's a pretty obvious cause to this kind of basic misfire.

Once you have the readings, are you going to fix it yourself, or are you just going to go to a garage or independent MB specialist to do the fix for you - because if you do, the first thing they'll do is put an OBD2 reader or STAR on it themselves.
Diagnostics is for me to have an idea of what I'm dealing with at before my mechanic has time to take a look. I've other cars as well so I think I'll go for the iCarsoft CR Pro for cross-compatibility.

Indy more of a last resort if my mechanic can't work it out- hoping it doesn't get to that stage!



Many thanks all for replying.
 
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Not all dealers will rip you off.

Needed a session on STAR recently and the main dealer charged me £80.

Rather pay that then play the guessing game.
 
Well you have had the best advice already get it to a indy near you,without that it is a guessing game and if you buy a Icarsoft buy the mercedes one,it would seem that 4 year old car was in the auction for a reason,lets hope you get it sorted it could be a expensive game.
 
Without Star you will waste money and time.
 
and what is your mechanic going to do if something needs resetting using STAR??
 
Really bad idea taking it to a non specialist indie or dealer. It sounds like the symptoms you’ve been experiencing have eventually triggered the EML. Unusual behaviour (within certain tolerances) are stored as codes in the ECU and only when outside of these tolerances will the EML come on. I would have had this car into a specialist the minute I could smell fumes in the cabin / hesitation / noises & vibrations.

A diag at a MB dealership as stated above will cost around £80. They will scan and tell you what is wrong and you can then take a view from there.

Could be the turbo seal, DPF, injectors, coolant issue… the list goes on.
 

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