ml 270 2000 manifold

[chris.d]

i am told my inlet manifold needs replacing!! would it be wise to try and find a second hand one and fit it myself, i am ok with car repairs .but if anything involves computor i am stumped!!!! also i have been quoted £970 by an mb garage is this a reasonable figure? the manifold and gaskets being £400 .
thanx in advance for any help on this one

 

[Alex Crow]

the parts price is approximately correct, but the labour is a little OTT. realistically expect to pay at least £200 for labour with an independent garage, but make sure they have done one before.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Agree with Alex, around the 4 hours mark is about right!

 

[chris.d]

ok thanks alex i thought it was over the top 5 hrs & £95 +vat !!! do i have to buy the manifold from mb? i have tried my usual parts supplier and they cannot get one. also tried threepointspares no luck there either any ideas!!!

anyone!!!!

 

[Cole@MBS]

MB only as far as i no!!!

 

[tony jr]

Hi Chris,

This is a common problem and there are lots of threads on this issue. I had mine changed about 6 months ago. The inlet manifold is made of plastic and costs around £330 from MB (My local deal says he always keeps 3 instock - that tells you something!) The flap valves on mine had completely broken and gummed up with the egr residues. The guy in the service department said they used to supply the induvidual parts by cost more to fit than just changing the manifold. This is not a diffucult job just very time consuming - you need to allow a full day for this! The EGR valve will clean up without problem. I would however replace the inlet port shut off motor that controls the flap valves. My reason for this is that if it fails in a few weeks time you would not want to go through taking the manifold off again - would you!

 

[chris.d]

hi tony thanks! i have now to decide if i am going to do it myself or get the boys to do it in the local garage.

 

[Alex Crow]

you have to be a very competent DIYer to do it, and if you decide to have a go ask here for a few pointers.

 

[chris.d]

hi alex... yes i will have a good look at it when i get the manifold .and if i feel i could do it with a few pointers i will go for it. but i am fully aware of my own limitations if i feel i cant do it local garage it is.... its a pity i cant get a haynes manual though i always buy one when i have to do repairs on cars i am not familier with.

 

[Cole@MBS]

A few pictures!!

You want to do this!!

 

[chris.d]

omg are you trying to boost my confidence or what !! not a lot of room to manoeuvre is there!! is it really as complex as it looks . though the first picture looks easy enough !!

 

[Cole@MBS]

Its not a hard job Chris, but even tho i have done god no's how many, its far from a quick job!!

 

[chris.d]

with me these jobs take as long as they take even if it takes me a couple of days. i have a couple of other motors so it could stay in my little workshop untill i have done it !!! one thing though have the bolts a tendancy to snap? this is realy my main concern...

 

[Cole@MBS]

Never had one break yet Chris!

 

[Alex Crow]

the bolts will not snap, but access is your problem here if DIYing, you need a good selection of tools!

 

[chris.d]

yes i do have a fairly comprehensive set of tools but i usualy find halfway through a job the one i have not got. but the autofactors are not too far away.gonna order bits from mb now .and thanks guys for your help only wish i lived nearer to one of you then it would have come to you.

 

[chris.d]

hi all i did not fit it myself in the end one of the guys who used to work at one of my local garages has started up on his own with a mobile workshop a very keen lad with a lot of ambition he always goes to new training thingys to be updated.. so i thought i would give him a chance..i like to encourage people like this as there are not many about anymore.. took him about 4 1/2 hours also cleaned egr valve and changed low pressure pump pipe"o" rings charged £120 .. fingers crossed he has got it right then he can do my injector seals

 

[chris.d]

oh dear!!!!! what has he done!! i just drove it down the road clouds of light grey smoke smells like unburnt diesel

 

[chris.d]

anyone?

 

[chris.d]

is it something ive said??