A160 Auto taking too much fuel

[parbs]

Has anyone come across this problem? My A160 auto is using too much petrol. I just bought it last week from a Car Supermarket. Its only done 11,000 miles and has service history. Its giving me approx 23 MPG. Should be getting at least 30MPG. I've had diagnostics done, and it says everything is ok.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

How black is the exhaust?

 

[rio678]

Also depends on your driving style too

 

[Blobcat]

My father used to average 39mpg in his Yr 2000 A160 Auto.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Hi Parbs

You should fill it right up to the brim at a motorway service station. Then drive 15 miles or so to the next junction, turn around, and drive 15 miles back to the service station. Do this at about 50-70mph, no heavy acceleration. Make sure the engine is nice and hot before you do this test.

Then fill it back up, and note how much fuel has been used. That'll give you an idea of the MPG, true MPG varies according to driving style and the figures quoted on paper never seem to match those gained in reality.

If you've just bought it, I'd recommend giving it a change of air filter, oil filter, and an oil change, just so you know whats what.

 

[parbs]

The Merc garage I done diagnostics checked air filter... but think i'll try your suggestion before I have more investigation done

 

[parbs]

Thats more like what I was expecting

 

[ALAN@ECUCLINIC]

THE A SERIES SUFFERS UNTOLD PROBLEMS WITH AIR FLOW WHICH IS BUILD IN THE ECU, ONLY THE CLUTCHLESS MANUALS CAN I REPAIR AT THE MONMENT ( buggerbloody caps lock)!!

 

[seabadger]

Hi Parbs,

Yes I have experienced this problem on my daughter's A160 Auto (V reg). Poor fuel consumption, lack of power, going slower and slower up hills and not changing down (unless you used the tiptronic).

Basicaly the car's ECU had gone into 'get you home' mode. We took it to Andy Gayle's and he cleared all the faults on the computer. Immediately after this it ran fine. He also told us that over a short period the car would return the faults and the poor running would return. It did. He correctly diagnosed the problem which appears to be common.

The problem was the mass air flow sensor (MAF) was defective. On the A class the MAF is integral with the ECU and the whole lot has to be replaced.

The unit costs around £700. Fitting is 30mins.

4 months later we dug deep (into my pocket) and had the job done. This was about a year ago - the car has run perfectly since and averages 35 mpg.

If you have a car supermarket warrantee you should act fast to resolve - if it is the same problem it's an expensive repair. Get some specialist advice - I would recommend Andy Gayle - Mercedes Servicing if you can get to West Bromwich.

Will be interested to hear how you get this resolved.
Regards

 

[khughes18]

mine is exactly like this too.

 

[jibcl500]

My wifes A160 was the same 20++mpg the air filters on these can clog quickly due to the size so keep checking them and if so remove and give the a tap to remove the worst and hoover out the air box.
Below the inlet there is a large rubber hose check it as one end tends to get slack and can be removed with little effort, I put a screw clamp on ours and it brought the mpg back up to 30++mpg and performance returned.
It is possible to strip down the combined ECU MAF and see if the sensor needs cleaning.
Pics of hose if required, just nee to take them.
jib

 

[maldon]

JIB

I'd be very interested to see the pics so that I can take a look into our A160 - we've had all sorts of nonsense on the emissions/MOT failed. We did send the ECU away for testing (not to Alan on here - it was tested and sent back with a very reasonable bill for thirty five quid).

The car did eventually pass but emissions were all over the show pass/fail/pass - eventually the car passed -

All parts the Mainly Mercs lads tested seemed to be OK - maybe it is just an airfilter prob.

 

[jibcl500]

See attatched, the rubber hose where it fits onto the alloy inlet was very slack and didnt need any effort to remove it.

jib

 

[maldon]

Thanks very much JIB

I'll have a go at that tomorrow

Unless it is raining.......