MB newer diesels

[zak]

I got hooked on MB diesel power when my mechanic and friend sold me a 1984 300 D euro 4 spd. Since then I have had another half dozen MB diesels and loved them all.
300TDT 123 wagon, 300TD 124 wagon, 300D 210 sedan , 300TD 126 sedan , ML350 blutec turbo diesel.
They all ran forever and were handed down to our 4 kids when they came of driving age.

The last diesel I bought new was a 2015 ML 250 blutec bi turbo 4 cyl diesel. I kept it till 2022 and 150K miles then gave it to my # 2 son who drove it until recently - abt 30K miles.
It had the dieselgate fix and the truck ran in the great same manner.

Then a few CE lights popped on so he took it to the MB dealer who handed him an estimate of $ 12,000. for replacement of the DPF and other related vey expensive emission parts.
he was told that the emissions were only warranted to 180,000 miles and he has 182,000.

It is a shame. The car is in great condition and still runs, albeit with a bit less power because of the clogged filter. So it goes to the scrapper. I think 2015 was the last year MB imported diesel cars to the US. I see U-Tube videos and internet advertizing DPF and ad blu delete and some complete removal. Is that a legitimate course to follow maybe ?
Just trying to save the old girl.
What do you think ?

jz

[franjo_66]

I know a few guys who had same dilemma on their BMW diesels.
You do not need to scrap the car
The solution is to physically remove the DPF and get the ECU reprogrammed.

It was done here in Australia for all up cost of AU$1500. However it is technically illegal, but then again the manufacturers dont give us much choice when poorly designed systems like this have incredulous $ quoted to fix their problem in the first place

Another method that others have had some success with is to undertake 'passive regeneration'. Simply put, this is driving on a motorway  at a sustained speed for 30-50 minutes to allow your exhaust temperature to reach the point where it can cleanly burn off the excess soot

 If no success then there is also ‘active regeneration’, where additional fuel is injected automatically, via the vehicle’s ECU, when the filter reaches a defined limit to try and increase the temperature to burn off the soot.

If above steps produce no success then I would get quotes from independent workshops, as the MB cost is absurd.

[WRe]

Hi,
why don't you replace the DPF? The cost for this should be less than $1000, is no rocket science and a small invest to see what will happen. I don't see any need to replace other parts.
This car has a very good reputation except the costs at MB workshops.
...WRe

[Cees Klumper]

I have a 250 GLK with the same diesel engine. Dealer just replaced a nox sensor for free under the extended emissions recall warranty at 220K miles. But they also quoted exorbitant amounts to replace control arms (around $2.5K, I did them for $330), front brake discs and pads ($1.1K, I did for $260) and front driveshaft replacement ($2.5K, I did for $350) so definitely go to some independent shops for estimates to replace the DPF if other fixes such as forcing regeneration (I have a Topdon bi-directional scan tool that can easily do this) are not effective. Good luck, your son's car should have at least another 320K miles of life left.

[WRe]

Dealer just replaced a nox sensor for free under the extended emissions recall warranty at 220K miles.

Hi,
all new MB Diesel/AdBlue cars have problems with NOx-Sensors. There are recalls for this but MB is reluctant to replace the NOx sensors in addition to a software update due to the high costs (~700€/sensor only) and delivery difficulties. Sometimes both sensors have to be replaced.
...WRe

[zak]

Thanks for the responses gents. He is driving locally now with no problem.
The MB estimate included $3830. for DPF , 2 nox sensors and soot sensor replacement  / $3488. for SCR with temp sensors.

Driving a diesel car these days is just too complicated for this old man.
I had to switch to a GLE 350 gasser - 2022. It just doesn't have the soul of a diesel.

Is MB still making and selling diesel cars in Europe and ROW today ?

jz

[Cees Klumper]

At our local Mercedes dealer, that did the warranty work on my GLK, they said all the Sprinter vans are diesels. I expect Mercedes still market diesels elsewhere, although it may be coming to an end in Europe:

https://greencell.global/en/gcnews/other/ban-on-petrol-and-diesel-cars-what-will-change-in-2035#:~:text=The%20Beginning%20of%20the%20Petrol,cars%20in%20the%20automotive%20market.