w211 2008 e280 V6 - regular smoking

[shazAMG]

Hi All
Having an issue recently and have trawled through the forums but haven't found anyone with what seems like the same issue.

I found that my w211 2008 e280 V6 estate is smoking plumes of smoke when I accelerate over 2000 rpm. I only happens during this phase. Other than that the car drives (seemingly) well with no issues, no stuttering, no start up issues. It's black smoke.

Economy is average 32mpg and long drives at 40 mpg, which is lower than other users get for the same engine (appreciate the driver is a big variable in peoples economy figures)

As a starter when I bought the car last month I changed the oil, fuel, air and pollen filters. New oil (fully synthetic 5/40), and also used so Wynns clean burn treatment. But the problem has't gone away. The exhausts are constantly covered in soot. I thought it may just be that it needed some TLC and a good run to clear out the engine, but there's been no change in its behaviour.

I just don't know where to start with trying to sort this out, any suggestions what it might be ?

Thanks

 

[Guy.Pap]

First of all I would get the codes read on the car to see if anything is wrong, You say you have fitted new air filters to the car did you have the ecu regen after this. The black smoke after 2000 rpm could possibly be caused by a bad o2 sensor and the motor overfueling as a result of an incorrect signal from that.

32 mpg average is what I get from my 2008 280 as well so I dont think its far out, I am guessing that you do short journeys in the car as that what hurts my mpg

 

[shazAMG]

First of all I would get the codes read on the car to see if anything is wrong, You say you have fitted new air filters to the car did you have the ecu regen after this. The black smoke after 2000 rpm could possibly be caused by a bad o2 sensor and the motor overfueling as a result of an incorrect signal from that.

32 mpg average is what I get from my 2008 280 as well so I dont think its far out, I am guessing that you do short journeys in the car as that what hurts my mpg

Ok will go and get the codes read at a garage and post results.

What's an ECU REGEN ?

I do a mix of journey types, usually get 40mpg when doing a mostly motorway 80 mile journey, otherwise 32 average. I mentioned it in case it was related to my issue and because I had seen post where people were 35+ average and 45 on the motorways.

Thanks

 

[SLKNick]

Petrol or Diesel ?

 

[shazAMG]

Diesel

 

[mbenz1]

The ECU needs to be told that a service has been done and more importantly, that the air filters have been changed. This is done only through STAR diagnostic machine I think - not sure if general code readers can do this?

O2 sensor issues are quite common in the W211 facelift.

As said by others, get the car checked by a STAR machine.

 

[streethawk]

The ECU needs to be told that a service has been done and more importantly, that the air filters have been changed. This is done only through STAR diagnostic machine I think - not sure if general code readers can do this?

O2 sensor issues are quite common in the W211 facelift.

As said by others, get the car checked by a STAR machine.

Is there a specific action on the star to tell ecu about air filters? Only ask as I've had Mercedes main dealer service oil etc but wasn't due for air filters. Asked merc for quote and it was £140 lol So I changed them when it came back! All of ten minutes to change. So would the service they did still tell ecu or will I need to get it done. This was 400 miles ago and fuel consumption is poor I think at 28mpg average. Only had car a few months by the way.

 

[mbenz1]

Is there a specific action on the star to tell ecu about air filters? Only ask as I've had Mercedes main dealer service oil etc but wasn't due for air filters. Asked merc for quote and it was £140 lol So I changed them when it came back! All of ten minutes to change. So would the service they did still tell ecu or will I need to get it done. This was 400 miles ago and fuel consumption is poor I think at 28mpg average. Only had car a few months by the way.

Im not 100% sure but from what I remember of my chat with a MB Specialist, the air filter 'reset' is a separate function to resetting the ASSYST (spelt correct?) after service.

 

[shazAMG]

Update:

Mechanic at local garage found that the central pipe connecting the two air intakes had a small crack in it, despite the tightly fitted jubilee clip over it. I don't know the technical name for the part, but it was replaced. It also explained where the slight whirring noise from the engine was coming from on acceleration as air was escaping out of it.

The part has since been replaced, had fuel treatment again and a good motorway run.

Now there's virtually zero smoking and soot from the exhaust. I also noticed a improvement in power and economy has improved slightly. Now getting 35 - 44 mpg. SO glad.

Now I can finally chrome polish the exhausts.

 

[johnsco]

Now I can finally chrome polish the exhausts.

They'll soon be black again !!

 

[Herishi]

My 280's exhaust tips getting sooty again after less that 100 miles!

 

[BIG_G_1979]

Can you explain what was cracked? Was it the Y duct which houses the air flow meters etc? Any pics

 

[shazAMG]

Can you explain what was cracked? Was it the Y duct which houses the air flow meters etc? Any pics

I believe so, the air intake pipe behind the radiator I am told.

 

[Austin-green]

I confirm MB SDconnect C4 is able to reset air filter.

 

[lalaura]

I confirm MB SDconnect C4 is able to reset air filter.

cool and clone SD c4 mux is okay

 

[lalaura]

cool and clone SD c4 mux is okay

edit: so far no issues.

conclusion:
If you are the type of person who shows an interested in learning the in's and out's of your vehicle, then I can't think of a better way than to own one of these setups. There is such a vast amount of content and useful reference material that it serves as a valuable library to learn more. Whether your goal is to perform self-maintenance, troubleshoot issues or simply to see for yourself what is going on inside of your vehicle, then this is without a doubt the toolset which allows you to do so.*

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