c250 TD help please

[taxi]

Hi just bought a 97 c250 turbodiesel to add to my modest fleet and I have a couple of worries, there is an amount of engine oil in the turbo ducting mainly collecting at the front offside top pipe as it bends backwards where the air sensor inserts, I cant see how the oil is getting out but it is settling on top of the rad, the oil must be coming from the breather pipe into the induction system but how much is ok? what is the black capsule for in the breather pipe on top of the engine? car has done 80k one owner FSH. The other thing is the gearbox, it struggles to reverse up my steep drive, its a 5 speed with no dipstick, could it be low on oil or something worse like slipping brake bands it drives fine when on the move, thanks for any help Steve.

 

[JimmyTD]

Oil in the inlet pipes is normal on these engines, can be aggrevated if the oil level is too high, I run mine 1/4 inch below maximum. The oil seeps out from the hose joins, these pipes are under pressure from the turbo. The capsule you refer to is a one way valve. It is possible to fit a catch tank to prevent the oil getting into the inlet system.

As for your gearbox, sounds like the gearbox is in W mode, you need it in S for summer mode unless there is snow or ice on the road. The auto gearbox dipstick is referred to by MB as a workshop only tool, it is available if you persist.

 

[wingco]

I have a 96 C250TD with the 5 speed box. I would agree with Jimmy TD on the oil issue. Even the inlet manifold will produce oil if it springs a leak (like mine did).

With regards to the gearbox - the 5 speed or 722.6 is supposed to be sealed for life, and never needs a change of ATF (according to MB). If you look at the archives on this site you will find numerous people with major problems with this gearbox. Get the ATF and filter changed and it will cure/prevent any problems. Because my ATF and filter had never been changed, I ended up having a new valvle block/filter/ATF, along with a new ECU @over£1000 without labour. That was at 87K. The symptoms started as slipping and soon degenerated into jerky changes and getting stuck in gear. It is now silky smooth and will hold on even the steepest of hills.

Change your ATF now!

 

[taxi]

Thanks for putting my mind at rest on the engine oil issue, thought I had bought a shed, I will change the g/box oil asap can it be bought anywhere but the main dealer and how do I know the level is right, does anyone know the length of the "secret" dipstick? cheers

 

[wingco]

The garage where I take my car say it is difficult to get hold of the gearbox dipstick. When they change the ATF they take the gearbox pan off and completely drain it, then add exactly the right amount of oil according to the spec. I believe the ATF is non standard and is quite expensive, but cheaper than a knackered box!

 

[taxi]

I managed to get the MB dealer to check the ATF level after being told there will be a "small" charge for the use of the dipstick, I reminded them how much I spend in the parts dept with 3 Mercs doing 60k miles a year each and they did it for nothing, anyway the level is fine and the oil is clean and at £9 per litre it can stay in there, seems to be ok now anyway. The other question is fuel consumption its only doing 30mpg on motorway runs, not good any ideas? my 220cdi does 45mpg. cheers

 

[wingco]

Sorry I dont have any ideas on this one. I get 38-43 on average, all motorway, but I dont push the car (75-80). The early 220cdi (W202 shape) had a 120bhp motor, and the later ones were 143bhp - which one do you have?

 

[taxi]

My C220cdi estate is a late W202 Wreg 2000 model, it seems very powerfull for a small turbodiesel I would like to know the BHP, its the Esprit model, I checked the consumption figures in the handbook for the C250 and it translates to only 35mpg overall, not really good enough for my business but Ill see how it goes, Steve