G350d DPF issues, please help!!

[CANVEN]

Hi All

I am new to MB world and desperately need some help. I bought a 350d 2011 plate from an individual. After one month of city driving the engine check light came on with dpf pressure sensor and pressure sensor failing. I replaced them both, tried to drive to car regularly on a motorway but after one day of city driving with regular stops the light comes on again… this repeated several times with same sensors being pointed as failing by star machine. Got the dpf removed and cleaned, light came back on again on the way back from the cleaner…At the end I gave up and changed the whole dpf with again new temperature, dpf pressure and nox sensors…. 1 month later, engine
light comes on again with the same dpf pressure sensor failing again. I have been reading lost of threats about short drives causing dpf issues etc but in this case with new dpf this shouldn’t yet be the issue nor previous experiences with having the same issue right after cleaning clearly tells us there is something else causing the temp and pressure sensor failing.
On the other hand I can’t find any research about repetitive dpf pressure and temp sensor failure… would anyone please help me? Each time I bring the car to a new indie they suggest almost nothing new than changing the sensor which is clearly not the solution?
Would you also be kind enough to suggest a trustable indie in south west London who actually knows bit more about these Diesel engines?

Please help!!!

Thank you

 

[mioba]

Did you clear the error codes after replacing said parts. The error codes wont clear themselves.
It could be the car now needs a forced regen using star.
Who done the work for you....

Oh and welcome to the forum and do stick around

 

[CANVEN]

Thank you for your reply. Yes each time the sensors and dpf itself changed we cleared the codes and forced regen done with star machine…. And again a couple of days later the engine light comes on again. I used 2 separate MB specialists in Brentford and Richmond. I personally believe there is something else causing this fault (egr, wiring etc) the car gets very sluggish and slow to react (not limp mode) once the engine is warm.

 

[ajlsl600]

MB sensors notorious as dodgy quality. Feel bad for u. Think in reality yr looking for another indie, preferably "known on here" then at least you will know all the facts.

 

[Botus]

You can't just change parts... the correct later iteration DPF sensor and NOx sensors require major rewrite of huge swaths of the car's engine management and emission control software...

this is dealer only (or very unusual third party independent garages that like to give Mercedes £10,000 a year to rent the online diagnostic and software updating equipment)

drive to Reading Berks and go see STAR motor services, great guys have the right equipment and do a great job

 

[LostKiwi]

+1 for Ian @star

Also MBS Southampton.

I have to ask, why a G350d for city use?
Your driving profile may well be a massive contributory cause of your problems if all you do is city driving.
Diesels are not well suited to continuous start/stop town/city usage.
For that type of usage petrol would be a far more suitable fuel (and has none of the ULEZ issues).

 

[CANVEN]

+1 for Ian @star

Also MBS Southampton.

I have to ask, why a G350d for city use?
Your driving profile may well be a massive contributory cause of your problems if all you do is city driving.
Diesels are not well suited to continuous start/stop town/city usage.
For that type of usage petrol would be a far more suitable fuel (and has none of the ULEZ issues).

it’s just because of being an inexperience buyer… price difference in between G350d vs G63 petrol is almost 2 times and I thought diesel would me economical. I would be able to afford g63 anyway. I had no idea about dpf etc until it went wrong immediately after I bought it.

I also brought the car to the main dealer in Brentford last week, explained them the reoccurring dpf sensor issue. They said they can’t comment on the job done previously by an indie and they need to change the sensor before doing anything else…. A friend told me the car might be remapped by the previous owner causing these sensor issue. He says maybe ask main dealer to remap back to original setting if that’s the case or not by the previous owner.

I’m very confused now but maybe paying bit more and changing the sensor again in main dealer and if it goes wrong again I might be eligible for refund or kind of guarantee?

 

[CANVEN]

*would not be able to afford g63

 

[LostKiwi]

I still don't understand a G Class for city usage though?
It's a bit like buying a Nissan Micra to cross the Sahara.

 

[Blobcat]

It's a bit like buying a Nissan Micra to cross the Sahara.

That actually sounds more reasonable...

 

[CANVEN]

Big family, and my wife always wanted one….And also I just wanted to avoid buying her a Range Rover…

Any suggestions if I should get the sensor changed one more time at main dealer and if it goes wrong again I should be able to claim it back ?

 

[ajlsl600]

MB sensors notorious as dodgy quality. Feel bad for u. Think in reality yr looking for another indie, preferably "known on here" then at least you will know all the facts.

 

[LostKiwi]

Big family, and my wife always wanted one….And also I just wanted to avoid buying her a Range Rover…

Any suggestions if I should get the sensor changed one more time at main dealer and if it goes wrong again I should be able to claim it back ?

You have 2 choices.
Use the $tealer or try one of the reputable independent specialists mentioned. Appreciate neither are particularly local but that itself means it will get a good run out to clear out the crap that collects.
As mentioned sensors in this era of MB cars have known issues and need matching to the engine ECU. You cannot simply change the sensor as often the ECU needs a software update to match.

Also look for boost leaks as that can generate excess soot (engine doesn't receive as much air as expected so adds too much fuel for the air received resulting in soot).
Temperature sensors can also cause excess soot so need checking.

 

[CANVEN]

Thank you all. I called Ian at Star and earliest they can book is in November. I will still keep that booking but if anyone can recommend another trustable indie in around London it would be very much appreciated. I heard Colin F. but it’s very expensive for my wallet.
And if you can suggest a couple of causes to check for reoccurring dpf sensor issue I can check them with the specialist (software update point taken)

 

[LostKiwi]

Try Wayne Gates in Harrow perhaps?
Or MBS Southampton?
As for causes see my previous post.

 

[CANVEN]

Thank you!

 

[mioba]

Since you have had it in a dealers, I would stick that route to be fair as going elsewhere, might be going round the houses to say.

 

[JBell]

Try Wayne Gates in Harrow perhaps?
Or MBS Southampton?
As for causes see my previous post.

AMF Automotive @alexanderfoti

 

[Wighty]

What about @Uncle Benz he isn’t far away .
Or Ian at Star Services , Caversham by Reading

 

[LostKiwi]

What about @Uncle Benz he isn’t far away .
Or Ian at Star Services , Caversham by Reading

Already mentioned Ian (and he's booked there for November).