water ingress to fuse box c320 cdi

[eagleboy1234]

Hi,
my car suddenly refused to start and the MB Mobilo technician diagnosed the problem as water ingress in the fuse box which corroded the fuses. This was caused (apparently) by blocked water drain holes in the windscreen wiper scuttle. I am now fanatical about clearing these drain holes as the repair will cost around £650 plus labour! This is a warning to all C Class owners 2007-2013 to make sure their drainage holes are clear of debris.

 

[ringway]

If your car has been serviced by ANY Mercedes-Benz dealership recently, the drains should be reasonably clear (unless you park under a tree or bush on a regular basis) because clearing the drains on any car in for a "B" service was added to the schedule years ago. It's a simple operation to clear the drains, but I bet it doesn't get done very often.

What is going to cost £650, a new PSE unit?

 

[eagleboy1234]

I've just had the work carried out and now have a bill for £800 from an MB specialist. I believe it was the SAM unit that had to be replaced.

 

[BlackC55]

£800 for a SAM?

They are £250+vat ish and an hours labour to fit.

 

[eagleboy1234]

There was an £80 charge to check an engine management light which came on. The guy said it was a SAM unit but he was the Service Receptionist so he could have got that wrong? I'm due to collect the car tomorrow after the unit has been programmed so it should be detailed on the bill.

 

[E270 Owner]

Mercs are not the only manufacturer to suffer from block drain holes around the scuttle area, just done an Audi A 5 with the same problem.

That's expensive for a SAM unit replacement I keep stock of them (secondhand) and charge from @ £125.00 fitted.

 

[eagleboy1234]

Update: I'm still without my car as the codes MB Technical Dept sent the garage did not work! I'm hoping that the correct ones will be sent on Monday but am concerned that the garage will try to charge me for the time spent trying to get the codes to work. Does anyone know what sort of labour charge I should expect for installing and programming the SAM unit please?

 

[eagleboy1234]

ps I forgot to mention that my car has only done 41k!

 

[eagleboy1234]

Got car back with a bill of £817. SAM unit had to be programmed three times (not charged for this as MB specialists had to take it to an MB franchise as their equipment could not do it).

 

[W210Virgin]

Oh yes you were!