Ml270 , 2003 , project

[mike2909]

Did some tank to tank around town mpg's and got 22mph, just did 300miles on motorway tank to tankfull got 28mpg, any thoughts on whether 28mpg is ok , was only doing between 55-65 mph was expecting more mpg, still think I may have injector problem as I see more grey smoke than I expect on tickover etc..... next job swap 2 recon injectors from spare car and make a start on repairing spare front bumper, Happy new year ,looking forward to it !!

Once again I am late to the party. I have really enjoyed reading this thread and take my hat off to the mechanical knowledge you guys have. I love working and doing the basic maintenance on my cars and vans but have limits to what I will try,
I bought my ML in Spalding and went down on the train to collect and drive back to Fife where I live. Just under a 400 mile drive. I filled up at the garage where I bought her and similar to Vincentfishing drove her back up with the cruise control set between 65-70. I had 378mile on the trip when I filled her up again close to home, tank was still above a 1/4 . Filled her up with 46 liters approx. 10 gallons. I think 335 miles of that was motorway. Its a 2005 ML270 has done 98k.
When I have to use for commuting I think I get less than half that consumption.

 

[joderest]

On a long motorway drive last year, top to top test, used cruise as much as possible and kept well below 60 mph, I worked it out at approx 38 mpg.
Using for work I get a lot less, about 28-30.

 

[vincentfishing]

Just did 230 miles ish on a run(55-65mph) ,however, did a couple of days around town before I went,
Got 29.5mpg(tank to tankfull), so probably without the around town bit would probably be low 30's mpg, still not happy, going to change maff sensor from spare to mine, after that it thinner wheels but cant see that making much difference....
also noticed some 'fumes ' coming from under engine cover by oil separator, think my oil separator pipes are heating up and kinking causing back pressure, so have temporarily taken catchcan off till I get bigger/stronger int dia pipe and better bends to connect up behind headlight(as per joderest).

 

[oigle]

I pretty much average around 29/30mpg in mixed running. Well over 30 on a highway cruise. I do have 235's on so may be helping there. Have you looked at stumo's thread on maf delete?. Might be worth looking at if you suspect your maf. Is the motor running over 80°? Temp is important for economy.

 

[vincentfishing]

I pretty much average around 29/30mpg in mixed running. Well over 30 on a highway cruise. I do have 235's on so may be helping there. Have you looked at stumo's thread on maf delete?. Might be worth looking at if you suspect your maf. Is the motor running over 80°? Temp is important for economy.

temp is good, renewed thermostat recently, have looked at maf delete thread but as I have spare car which seems to have a lot of newer bits on it, will swop out maf sensor first just to see.

 

[vincentfishing]

Sun was shining so went out and took o/s headlight off, it was full of moisture , got the wifes hairdryer on it (she had ģone to work !)
While off fitted catch can as suggested behind headlight(no pipes and bends yet)
And also changed my black vacuum solonoid filter for slightly cleaner one off spare car



And swopped mafs even though mine seemed to be ok, you never know !

 

[joderest]

If it's any help I bought the plastic pipe from a DIY shop, was very cheap and good thick stuff used for pond pumps I think. The bends are just copper pipe ones but I expect you will make/modify some thing else.
I have done well over 1000 miles since fitting and no oil showing in site tube yet, but there is plenty in the feed pipe, rather less in the return one.

 

[vincentfishing]

If it's any help I bought the plastic pipe from a DIY shop, was very cheap and good thick stuff used for pond pumps I think. The bends are just copper pipe ones but I expect you will make/modify some thing else..

Going to local garden centre which has big fish and pond section, hope to get right size bits there, but 15mm copper pipe pends would be ideal as large bore and thin wall with better unrestricted flow

 

[joderest]

And cheap and ready made.
You will need to file one down a bit to fit inside the separated outlet, but it can be done with a fine file.
I used a bigger bit of clear pipe where the sensor is,which fitted over the ribbed bit that sensor sits in, then a smaller bit of pipe super glued in and the copper pipe bend fitted to that.
Retained the sensor and gets pipe going correct way without bending it.

 

[joderest]

we are waiting for an update. Catch can and bumper repair !!!!

 

[davemercedes]

we are waiting for an update. Catch can and bumper repair !!!!

+1 Can't wait to hear how you got on... suspenders are killing me!

 

[vincentfishing]

couldn't get pipe I wanted for catchcan locally, so still looking for 15/16mm internal dia so copper bends will fit easily,will probably order of fleabay soon, took bumper out of shed today just for look and ponder, will be getting on with it soon, have as good as decided to put the spare 6/7th seats from spare car into mine along with fittings and panels etc,
if only it was warm and the long hrs of summer...…………………….

 

[joderest]

Dave Mercedes.
You need to give the suspenders back to your other half.

 

[davemercedes]

Dave Mercedes.
You need to give the suspenders back to your other half.[/QUOTE

Shhh! She'll hear you!

 

[vincentfishing]

Decided to do a bit on bumper,
Drilled and ziptied cracks to get them






Then welded/tacked joints together with dremmel mini blowtorch so i could get rid of zipties



Cut off most of ties and fibreglassed joints

 

[Wighty]

Decided to do a bit on bumper,
Drilled and ziptied cracks to get them together
View attachment 55814
View attachment 55815
View attachment 55816
Then welded/tacked joints together with dremmel mini blowtorch so i could get rid of zipties
View attachment 55817
View attachment 55818
View attachment 55819
View attachment 55820
Cut off most of ties and fibreglassed joints View attachment 55821
View attachment 55822
View attachment 55823

Very impressive buddy , good work

 

[mike2909]

View attachment 54516

Is the headlight an easy removal? My o/s headlight has moisture inside and I want to get it dried out and resealed. They are xenon headlights if that makes a difference.

 

[joderest]

Headlight removal very easy, I do it for fun !!!!!!!
1) open bonnet.
2) remove plastic headlight trim, carefully push clip end together so it unclips, swing it out and then carefully tease the end out.
3) remove top 10mm bolt( a tip is to mark the lugs position on body work so goes back in same place).
4) remove two lower 10mm nuts (an extension on the socket makes these easy)
5) remove headlight and lower carefully onto top of bumper. Remove three connectors ( they all have the little clip on side which needs releasing, small screwdriver helps)
6) lift away headlight.

As they say, fitting is reverse of removal. It's self explanatory when you start.

 

[vincentfishing]

Is the headlight an easy removal? My o/s headlight has moisture inside and I want to get it dried out and resealed. They are xenon headlights if that makes a difference.

I had same problem took out bulb and blowed dry it with hairdryer, was also a breather pipe providing airflow to inside of lens , poked wire in it to clear out,
been moisture free since

 

[davemercedes]

Very impressive buddy , good work

+! Good job, Vincent!