W210 E320CDi owner's blog/maintenance costs

[Naraic]

Towing a trailer tent at 80...and you are telling the world???

 

[mattsurf]

Towing a trailer tent at 80...and you are telling the world???

In France it is legal to tow at 130kph (81mph); I only had a small trailer tent - you need to watch out for those Clios towing Caravans at 130kph

To be honest, I had the cruise set to 75mph most of the time, I didn't go up to 80 too often

 

[toby1]

Breakdown recovery charge paid back under policy -£72

 

[Myros]

even if you went up to 80 on the speedo

it's more likely to be about 75mph in real life. I note a difference on ours between the dash showing 74mph, and the sat nav showing 70mph.

result on the refund there Toby

 

[mattsurf]

Speedo on cars varies quite a bit: On my E320CDI, 73 on speedo was 70mpg on my GPS, on my wife's Mazda, 75mph on Speedo is 70mph, on my Kia Sedona 71mph on speedo is 70mph on GPS

 

[toby1]

135,712 miles: Dropped car in with Alex Crow for a week and he kindly lent me a W203 C220 CDi which was pleasantly equipped and comfortable. Mission: to give me back full power!

Long story short, since the EGR mod was removed it was missing like an old cement mixer and smoking like an oil well fire under load. I'd disconnected the MAS to alleviate this and had been running in limp-mode.

Turned out the EGR valve was not closing correctly so as a belt and braces approach, not only do I have a new shunt fitted but he's blanked off the valve. Happy days! Full power restored and little smoke at all.

Also whilst there, I required high pressure pump seals as it was leaking and a new V-belt as the old one was contaminated with diesel from said leak. And a new outside air temperature sensor fitted to overcome an outstanding fault of no heating in the door mirrors.

Therefore, no injectors or engine ECU required. Relief! I can now proceed with some smaller jobs outstanding.

Massive thanks to Alex Crow and as always, he's worth the trip if you're not local. A seven hour round trip on Friday shows he's worth the journey.

 

[Irresistance]

Speedo on cars varies quite a bit: On my E320CDI, 73 on speedo was 70mpg on my GPS, on my wife's Mazda, 75mph on Speedo is 70mph, on my Kia Sedona 71mph on speedo is 70mph on GPS

On the W210, the GPS is accurate until about 50KM/h, above which the discrepancy can rise to up to 7-8KM/h (car being more optimistic)

On the W220 the discrepancy is never more than 5 KM/h, and until about 100-110KM/h stays within 3KM/h.

 

[toby1]

135,978 miles: Cranking over but not starting. Diagnosed as leaking injection pump. New pump fitted

Recovery to Star Motor Services: £93.00 I'll be able to claim £65 from the breakdown insurance for home recovery.
Injection pump fitted: £413.40

Previous seals job graciously and promptly refunded.

Hopefully I've had all my breakdowns for quite some time now and a non-eventful winter to look forward to.

 

[ShinyF1]

What was the buildup to the pump failure? I am currently parking facing downhill to ensure my fuel system remains 'primed' due to leaky seals, just wondered how quickly I should get it seen to..

 

[alexanderfoti]

You don't have good luck with your car Toby! Fingers crossed you now many miles of trouble free motoring.

 

[turbopete]

but he's blanked off the valve. Happy days!

how was the valve blanked off? im starting to question whether mine is fully closed now and it it isnt an issue on mine, it would be handy to know for future reference. i didnt think these could be blanked off with an old style blanking plate

 

[Alex Crow]

how was the valve blanked off?...

I made up a metal plate to go between the EGR cooler and cylinder head, using the gasket as a pattern.

I doubt it would be necessary on yours Pete, but looks to be important on the OM613 engines with failing EGR valves and EGR delete.

 

[toby1]

Refund received for recent home recovery -£93.60

They've overpaid this as it should be £65.00 but I will stay silent and if they ask for the overpayment back I will oblige.

In other news, yesterday I had the common ABS/ESP/BAS lights on combined with EPC warning and it was stuck in 2nd gear and the PAS was less than usual. It was sluggish to turn over; I hadn't driven it in 9 days. A quick blast round the block, stopped and started and all seems well.

 

[toby1]

Both headlamps are pointing straight down so I suspect the levelling rod thing has come adrift. Which side wheel arch should I be able to see this?

 

[JBell]

Both headlamps are pointing straight down so I suspect the levelling rod thing has come adrift. Which side wheel arch should I be able to see this?

IIRC it's in the drivers arch (If it is the same as a W203) the self levelling thing is about £140 and they do fail, there are 2 on a car one front and one rear

 

[toby1]

ok thanks. With my history I will probably need one or more then

 

[bob 6600]

ok thanks. With my history I will probably need one or more then

I may have one if needed (used) let me know if you get stuck

 

[JBell]

ok thanks. With my history I will probably need one or more then

You need to put it on Star which will tell you which one is gone

 

[2010golfnut]

Hi Toby1
Ordered new RH door mirror glass from ECP £36.85 - wrong side in the box

Just read your post end to end and can see mine going the same way my 203 failed an 'A' service in January, that free health check would have cost me about £6000 so I scrapped it and got me a w210 E320 cdi for £1750.
Couple of years ago ordered a R/H dimming mirror, it didn't fit my 203 so I don't know if it works but there is no evidence of leakage let me know if you're interested.
Part number - ZB 210 810 10 21

 

[Naraic]

You need to put it on Star which will tell you which one is gone

Or look front and rear first to see if a rod has come adrift. I effected a temporary fix 4 years ago...still going strong.