Merc Vito Sport X 204 red (25,000 mls)

[Buggerlugs]

Greetings

Are there any members out there having problems on their 120 CDI Vitos Sport X or otherwise: they are as follows:
1/ Constant wear on the front tyres, in particular scrubbing off the outer edges? I have had the geometry checked three times now and it has always been "within tolerance"

2/ An annoying surging especially at low revs when pulling away.
I received a recall letter from M.B. with reference to the surging and my vehicle went in to have the E.C.U. re-mapped. Then because the engine HAD been surging they replaced the E.G.R. valve. What a difference SMOOTH as silk, but only a couple of thousand miles, then the problem returned. In it went for it's first service and I reported that the problems had returned.They found a "split hose" that apparently had something to do with the E.G.R. valve,which they replaced. This has made no difference to the surging. Then the other day while driving in a queue of traffic at about 35 - 40 mph the engine went into "limp home mode" (Switching off and restarting sorted things out , and I pleased to say it hasn't happened again since) However the fuel consumption appears to have taken a dive: I was getting over 30MPG on a long run cruising on m/ways at 80mph, but now I am struggling to get 26MPG and am having to drive it like a granny to achieve this figure. Has anybody any ideas or experienced similiar problems and if so what was the fix.
Thanks B Lugs.

 

[Erratic]

Vito ala 'surge'

The 120's have nearly all suffered some experience with the annoying surging at low driving/parking speeds. This is a recognised problem with MB but at times may be shy to admit.

In my opinion the DPF is way too restrictive and upsetting fuelling parameters causing the erratic behaviour and coking of the EGR. There seems to be a consentina effect of excessive exhaust gases re entering the engine. Splitting of the silicone seal at the pre turbo intake pipe, overheat warning and increased oil level lamp illuminating are pre cursers to the limp mode. The items that need addressing are as follows and are part of the MB campaign...

Crankshaft positioning sensor, a recall in Australia was conducted due to silicone contamination during manufacturing from the supplier of the chip. Incorrect parameters being sent to ECU can cause limp mode or total vehicle shutdown and cannot be restarted. Models built between May 06 - October 07.

New version EGR sourced from Singapore

New version Oxygen sensor

ECU reflash

 

[brabus240]

vito sportx tyres

help anyone , im having the same problem on vito sport x of scrubbing front tyres on outer edge, any ideas any one , also when turning on full lock sounds like tyres pushing and not gripping, slight knocking noise

Greetings

Are there any members out there having problems on their 120 CDI Vitos Sport X or otherwise: they are as follows:
1/ Constant wear on the front tyres, in particular scrubbing off the outer edges? I have had the geometry checked three times now and it has always been "within tolerance"

2/ An annoying surging especially at low revs when pulling away.
I received a recall letter from M.B. with reference to the surging and my vehicle went in to have the E.C.U. re-mapped. Then because the engine HAD been surging they replaced the E.G.R. valve. What a difference SMOOTH as silk, but only a couple of thousand miles, then the problem returned. In it went for it's first service and I reported that the problems had returned.They found a "split hose" that apparently had something to do with the E.G.R. valve,which they replaced. This has made no difference to the surging. Then the other day while driving in a queue of traffic at about 35 - 40 mph the engine went into "limp home mode" (Switching off and restarting sorted things out , and I pleased to say it hasn't happened again since) However the fuel consumption appears to have taken a dive: I was getting over 30MPG on a long run cruising on m/ways at 80mph, but now I am struggling to get 26MPG and am having to drive it like a granny to achieve this figure. Has anybody any ideas or experienced similiar problems and if so what was the fix.
Thanks B Lugs.

 

[jordyman]

The first concern of tyre wear on the sport X is not one that you should entirely blame on MB.

The demand by customers to supply a more sportier version comes at a price and with wide, low profile tyres you will never get the kind of mileage from them as with a normal Vito.

The Vito suspension has been designed with a high camber to increase the turning circle and driveability of the vehicle.

The tyre compound is also very soft and with the amount of power the engine puts out, tell me who drives their van as a VAN?

The Vito in it's normal guise will get approximately 25000 miles from a set of tyres if driven considerately, however if you get anymore than 15000 miles from a Sport X consider yourself lucky.

If you are experiencing shoulder wear then don't worry as long as the tyres are legal as this is normal.

The second issue where you have a symptom of 'engine surge' is still being researched by DAG and although a few mods have been introduced the problem cannot always be completely cured.

Be assured that there will be a further modification very soon but in the meantime the cleaning of the O2 sensor will erradicate the fault for a while but visit your local dealer or call the CAC to log a complaint and you will be one of the first to recieve the mod when it finally arrives.

 

[ridway]

Vito 120 May 2007 (38,000miles)
Had exactly the same problem with the EGR and surging. The recall did sort the problem for a good length of time but alas I have had to go back to have the EGR cleaned or changed on two occassions post mod....

What happens when the warranty expires in 9 months? So dissapointing because the 120 is exceptional in every other way.

PS Does anyone know how to fully disable the ESP/ASR completely. Its an absolutley super system but gets in the way sometimes when in certain driving conditions

Rich

 

[turbopete]

all mercs seem to wear the outer shoulder of the front tyres off. this is normal in my experience. to my knowledge the only thing you can do with the asr is to turn it off at the switch on the dash each time you start the vehicle. it never goes away completely though, even when switched off, although you would need to be driving like a lunatic with a death wish on the public road to get it to intervene when its switched off!

 

[ecopower]

IF you turn the esp off on the dash it will still cut in, but let the vehicle, either spin the wheels slightly longer before cutting in, or slide slighty longer before cutting in, you can remove the fuse for esp, or put a switch in to the esp control unit power supply, this will turn the system off, but the light on the dash will stay on, even when put back, the esp light will stay on intil the stored fault has been deleted.

tyre wise, if the vito is less than 6 months old and done less than 6000 miles, mb will do tracking and replace tyres if needed, but remember, we have this argument at work every week with customers, vito is classes as a comercial vehicle, the vehicle should have a DAILY inspection checking lights, tyres and levels, this is why mb will only do tracking up too 6 months and 6000 miles, if there was a problem it would of shown by then.

andy

 

[Mike Edwards]

Interesting comments on the tyres.

My 06 CD111 managed over 45k on it's original tyres. My 08 CD120 managed 42k on it's first set.

Unfortunately the dealer had someone it to do the wheel alignment and the new tyres have managed just 9k! Not impressed.

Wear on both was on the inner edges of the front tyres. The outer edges and the rest of the tyres are fine.

As for the surging problems, had two EGR valves, various software upgrades (got worse on first upgrade and better on later upgrade) and about to have new torque converter. Fingers crossed this time!

Currently waiting for Mercedes to come out as the engine warning light is on again.

 

[Mike Edwards]

IF you turn the esp off on the dash it will still cut in, but let the vehicle, either spin the wheels slightly longer before cutting in, or slide slighty longer before cutting in, you can remove the fuse for esp, or put a switch in to the esp control unit power supply, this will turn the system off, but the light on the dash will stay on, even when put back, the esp light will stay on intil the stored fault has been deleted.

If you press the button you only turn it down and it will kick back in when it needs to. If you hold the button down (for 10 seconds I think but perhaps longer) you will turn it off. Allegedly.

 

[Wallclimber]

Worn Tyres

Like others I found the outer edge was wearing excessively and had the tracking and camber checked - found all OK

Solution - to get that extra bit of mileage before having to change tyres - swap the front to the rear !!!

Then It seems the nearside wears a bit more than the offside - solution Buy 1 new tyre & put the offside on the spare and use the spare as part of a pair for the front,
I know I'll have replace all 4 at one stage but it does help rather than keep changing the front two

PS I don't squeak when I walk !!!!
Wallclimber

 

[rich.g.williams]

keep tyre pressures as close as you can to maximum allowed - are you sure your tyre pressure gauge is 100% accurate

 

[scotttyryu]

tyre wear

well i have 120cdi, bought april 2008 new,, i had a problem with it steering to the left , had it in twice for steering and although slightly better my nearside front tyre was buggered at 8k and no tread on outer edge after 5k. (mb were useless) the van has now done 15k and outer edge on the front drivers side is knackered but the rest is still legal. i take the point from another thread that this van has 204bhp and do i drive sensibly? and the answer is when i can, no!! this is one hell of a van and love to drive it to the limit of adhesion so i have to accept that i have to replace the tyres more often,, this year 2010 a 34bhp improvement chip and 15% more torque 20 " wheels and tyres are coming so watch out you boy racers a van is gonna beat you , sorry i got all childish there

 

[andyl140]

Uneven tyre wear/ engine surges

I have the Sport X also and had the same problems as you have posted here. After completely killing 3 sets of front tyres after about 10,000 miles per set my dealer finally replaced the front struts and this uneven wear problem vanished overnight.
I have just had the recall software update carried out today and the engine surging has stopped, so far. The EGR valve stuck closed after about 75,000 miles but was replaced roadside under warranty, the technician told me that this was a fairly common issue on the V6 engines hence the reason he had one on board when he arrived!
The other issue I am now getting is very creaky suspension during low speed tight turns. Whilst my vehicle has done high mileage (88,900 since April 2008) I would normally expect this not to be an issue on a vehicle that has never carried heavy loads and runs at an average weight of 2.2 tonnes loaded, anyone else suffered this problem yet?

 

[Mike Edwards]

The other issue I am now getting is very creaky suspension during low speed tight turns. Whilst my vehicle has done high mileage (88,900 since April 2008) I would normally expect this not to be an issue on a vehicle that has never carried heavy loads and runs at an average weight of 2.2 tonnes loaded, anyone else suffered this problem yet?

Mine has done 65k since April 2008. Are you sure the creaky suspension at low speed is suspension not steering? I had my steering rack replaced under warranty. It was badly worn and making a creaking sound when turning at low speed.

 

[scaffy]

Just brought one of these on a 2008 , believe its a sport 204
several queries if anyone can help me
dash permanently says "HI" and oil can comin up but there is full of oil , is this leading up to problems as other forum members have had
Also can this be chipped anymore , this is quick ive just gone up to a 120 from a 111 ,, but have a desire to be quicker - had heard can be chipped to 270bhp

Apart from that hello to all forum members , im based on south coast and a scaffold surveyor x

Also want to dualiner it any suggestions where to get the bits other than mb , had loads of vitos , 108 , 110 ,112(new) 115 (new) 111 now a 120 , had a few sprinters to - 316 (that was a tool and half) 311 , 313 sprintshift pile of ****e

 

[NormanC]

Then It seems the nearside wears a bit more than the offside - solution .......

Drive more gently around roundabouts!

It's the nearside front that takes the load when going around roundabouts, with it often being referred to as the "roundabout tyre". In the UK it will nearly always wear more than the offside.

Alternative solution is to take roundabouts on opposite lock!