C200K Engine Managemnet Fault £1400 estimate!!!

[Fox]

Hello all,

Fantastic forum, first time I've seen it - loads of useful info.

Anyway, I've just recently purchased a 2001 Mercedes C200K Auto (W203) for the other half from a Mercedes dealer (Not mentioning names just yet) and I have been having problems since the day of delivery. Even before I had even seen the car the Engine Management light had come in. When I got back from work I was surprised to say the least after owning VW's, BMW's, Mazda's etc I never expected to find a problem so soon!:-?

So I phoned the supplying dealer and informed them of the problem was told that the car is under warrantee take it to a local Mercedes Garage and ask them to sort it out. To be fair they did help me book it in and so I took the car to the local Merc dealer. It took them a week to sort it out and they said it was the MAF/MAS which they replaced under warrantee. However the very next day after getting it back the light came on again!:cry: phoned up the garage who replaced the MAF/MAS and they said the next available appointment would be a month away but this time they would provide me with a free courtsey car so I agreed.

This time when I gave them car after 4 dyas they rang me and told me that its not the MAF/MAS even though the computer fault code is pointing in that direction its a problem with the electrical system? They also sent me a Whopping £1400 estimate for the work which they said is not under warrantee???? On the estimate the most notable items are Adjuster @ £331 and N/Stock Cable Harness @ £194 - the labour alone comes to around £600 + VAT

Is this a common Problem? Shouldn't the mercedes warrantee cover all this? What is an Adjuster? This may be a stuipid question but the car seems to drive fine so what difference will it make apart from getting rid of the light?

It makes me wounder why I got a Mercedes in the first place...

Cheers
Fox

 

[jberks]

You say you bought the car from a "Mercedes dealer". If it was a proper approved dealer then the offical MB used car warranty covers everything so yes, without a doubt, it is covered. However you also say the said "take it to a 'dealer" which is not something a dealer would say, given that they normally have their own workshops, plus a dealer fixing a 'signature' approved car wouldn't question the warranty, so I wonder if it wasn't an approved MB dealer you bought if from but rather a specialist, in which case it all depends on what the warranty doc says and who it's through.

However, the fault occured at delivery so at the very least, you have a comeback against the supplying garage as they legally have to guarantee the car. Speak to them first and take it from there. I suspect they'll sort it or give you your money back.

 

[Fox]

Hi,

Yes its an official Mercedes Dealer with an approved used Mercedes Warranty (tier 2). The reason why the supplying dealer said take it to my local one is because they are about 250 miles away from me...the local one is more convenient. You are right about the supplying dealer - I am pursing them but what I wanted to know is this a common fault?

Cheers

 

[mioba]

if its approved used and warranty is from merc, then eveything pretty much that came with the car, from factory is covered.

this is covered i am sure, take your warranty documents to the reparing dealer, also phone mercedes warranty dept, their number is in the paperwork and run it past them. if they say yea its covered, tell them your dealer says you have to pay, get a name also.

I think a few dealers may be pulling a scam here, ie getting the customer to pay yet at the same time claiming through warranty, it woundnt susprise me.

As i say call mercedes warranty

Also reading your problem, the harness may be seen as wear and tear item, i doubt the adjuster and this should be covered. but if the harness failed as a result of the adjuster, then this should be covered too. hope it makes sense.

ps, welcome to the forum

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome, I would politely tell the dealership which has the car that they need to speak with the supplying dealer if they want any ££££'s. All of this should be covered under warranty. If the supplying dealer is not willing to play ball then you are in a strong position to reject the car especially if <30days since you bought it.

 

[jberks]

I'm not familiar with a "Tier 2" warranty.
Merc say
"All vehicles, regardless of age, will benefit from our comprehensive 12 months unlimited mileage warranty, provided the vehicle has covered less than 100,000 miles at the date of purchase.
This warranty will either be the balance of the original warranty that covered the car from its first registration, a stand alone used car warranty or a combination of the two. With unlimited mileage cover and no individual claim limits, this is one of the most comprehensive used car warranties available."

All the mercs I've had have been used and I have never paid for a single repair (bar pads and the usual stuff) on any of them. From squeaky steering racks, water pumps, diff seals - they've all been covered without question.
Does it have >100k? What does the paperwork say?

 

[type49]

Yes this is a common-ish problem. The camshaft adjuster leaks oil internally and this goes into the wiring loom. The oil travels along the loom and usually ends up at the lamda sensor on the exhaust. If you're unlucky, it goes into the engine ECU...more money! This can be avoided by fitting an in-line loom mod bit, which is about 6" long and is designed to absorb oil and not let it pass through to the loom. I will try to get a part number for others who have this engine. Good luck with the warranty.

 

[izzi613]

type49

Is this problem engine or model specific?

Will my C180K have this issue?

 

[Fox]

Hi,

Thank you all for the replys. I have spoken to the supplying dealer and sent them the estimate so watch this space to see what happens!

jberks I have got the 'Mercedes-Benz Approved Used Warranty Owner's Handbook' and there are two types of Mercedes warranty's now (I know this is something new - I have never come across this with BMW, Mazda, & VW).

Tier 1 Warranty (under 60,000 miles at date of purchase)

Cover every factory fitted item as long as the mileage does not exceed 100,000 etc;

Tier 2 Warranty (over 60,000 miles at date of purchase)

Covers all listed factory fitted items ( 2 pages covering Engine, gearbox, electrical system - ECU's, lots of stuff that I know about and lots of stuff I don't)

My car has done only 62k miles. So be warned anyone buying a used Mercedes from a Stealer make sure you get a Tier 1 warranty!

With regards to my situation as the problem was on delivery regardless of what parts are covered and what aren't the dealer has to sort it as the problem was there before I even laid eyes on it.

Type 49 - So if they fix problem is it likely to come back? please post the part number for the in-line loom so I can make sure they do it right!

Cheers

 

[type49]

type49

Is this problem engine or model specific?

Will my C180K have this issue?

The problem is only on later 111 engines - very last of the 202 c class, early 203 c class & 208 clks. See if you can check your engine number via log book, MB data card etc. If it starts with 271 you're OK.

 

[type49]

Hi,


Type 49 - So if they fix problem is it likely to come back? please post the part number for the in-line loom so I can make sure they do it right!

Cheers

I've not heard of a fault returning once new parts have been fitted. I will try to find a part number for the mod by fri evening & see if the engine type can be narrowed down a bit.

 

[type49]

Part number for the mod is 2711502733 £14.36+vat. I would recommend anyone who has an early 203 4 cylinder with engine number starting 111 buys this part. It is an easy DIY fit. Remove front engine cover trim & plug new loom between cam adjuster & old loom. This may save you £1000+

 

[Fox]

Thanks type49, it is on my estimate too.

MA271 150 27 33 GEO25D STARTER LINE £14.36 + vat

SO ALL YOU C-CLASS OWNERS TAKE NOTE!!!!!!!!!

 

[izzi613]

The problem is only on later 111 engines - very last of the 202 c class, early 203 c class & 208 clks. See if you can check your engine number via log book, MB data card etc. If it starts with 271 you're OK.

Starts with 271, whew and cheers!

 

[type49]

I don't know whether this can be posted up differently so as more people are aware of it, it would be handy if someone could do it.

 

[MW]

The only reason one would buy from an official dealer is to get a guarantee that covers just this type of repair, i.e. one that even a skilled mechanic could not see or detect until it fails. The guarentee is to protect consumers against the £1,000 Mercedes 'black box' problem, where every problem is an electronic nightmare and £1,000 sir! This car would be probably £750 - £1000 cheaper privately. The guarentee and peace of mind is the difference.
Go for it and keep us informed.
Good luck.

 

[jberks]

Check what the £1400 is for. I suspect they are billing for a new ECU. Be aware these can commonly be repaired for £200 or so as against the £1000 the dealer will want for replacement. If they are charging YOU for a new one, request they remove it and send it off on your behalf.
That said, if the dealer isn't fixing under warranty, pull it out and send it to an indie specialist and send off the ECU to be fixed. I suspect you could end up with a £400 bill rather than a £1400 one if you play it right.

 

[type49]

From what I can remember, a new ECU is "only" about £400 anyway. Do you have a breakdown of the estimate? The new loom is about 3-4 hours to fit & find out if they want to change the cam adjuster itself ( about 3 hours work ) or just changing the adjuster MAGNET, which is the piece that actually leaks the oil in the first place. £1400 is a bit pricy for this job even for a dealer. The cam adjuster itself ( the expensive bit ) won't need changing unless it's noisy or has failed. Every one I've done, I've only had to change the cam magnet, which is much cheaper & much less labour to replace.

 

[Fox]

The only reason one would buy from an official dealer is to get a guarantee that covers just this type of repair, i.e. one that even a skilled mechanic could not see or detect until it fails. The guarentee is to protect consumers against the £1,000 Mercedes 'black box' problem, where every problem is an electronic nightmare and £1,000 sir! This car would be probably £750 - £1000 cheaper privately. The guarentee and peace of mind is the difference.
Go for it and keep us informed.
Good luck.

Yes, quite right MW that's why I purchased it from a franchised dealer for just that peace of mind...will keep you informed - hopefully wll get some news this week after the bank holiday.

 

[Fox]

type49 from what I remember on the estimate they wanted to change the Adjuster and the Magnet! Could they getaway with just changing the magnet and leaving the adjuster, however charge for it anyway?

type49 do you have your own garage? If so where? Cheers