haoz129

Hi all,

This thread is created as a carry over of my 2003 S600 Purchase Adventure.
To repay all the efforts and supports contributed by members from this forum I'm starting this thread to share all my future maintenance and repair details about this 2003 S600.

Most of the works will be done by myself and hope to help S600 and S-Class owners know what we can do to take care of these elegant vehicles. You will also have an idea how much $$ we need to throw into this machine to keep it in a great shape by DIY.

I'll start from listing all existing issues observed during/from:
- Star diagnosis;
- Star Certified Inspection;
- My own inspection.
They will be addressed one by one in future post under this thread.
You can have an overall idea about what happened to this car by checking first two posts and could also check maintenance/repair details in each individual post followed. I'll try to use pictures to make my words meaningful.

My maintenance and repair philosophy:
- Do planed maintenance to reduce issues.
- Inspect vehicle regularly to catch symptom or sign of issue and fix it when they are still small and cheap, this will help reduce big repair bills;
- Don't wait for the car broken, at that time the issue become big and costly to be repaired.
- Neglect without properly maintenance or prompt fix, even a great car could break prematurely.

Wish everybody enjoy the S-Class ownership.

Howard


FYI, original thread of the story buying this 2003 S600:
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/429206-my-first-s-class-deposit-paid-secure-2003-s600.html

haoz129

STOP: I'll try to follow MB standard procedure and stick with MB maintenance and repair specification.
But I can't guarantee all operation are MB standard plus no post is by any means official.
There is no guaranteed everyone can get the same result by following my description.
Please take your own risk and always use your own judgement in case you want to hands on.

Post #2 is an Index for all the maintenance and repair tasks.
- Maintenance defined as an item that isn't function impacted yet;
- Repair defined as an item that already impact certain function or operation;

Each task/item will be described by using:
- Item number: Mnnn for Maintenance tasks; Rnnn for Repair tasks; Innn for information;
- Observed Date: Date that an issue or problem has been observed;
- Related Post: In which post under this thread this task/item will be addressed with details;
- Status: Status of this item/task, whether it is Pending, Working, Done or fixed;
- Cost: approximate cost to apply the maintenance or fix the issue
- Description: item/task short description

Vehicle information:
Model: MB 2003 S600, W220.176
Engine: Twin Turbo V12, M275.950
Transmission: 5 Speed, 722.649
Options: Sport pkg, keyless go, heated steering, power close trunk.

Here is the list for all tasks will be covered by this thread.
Item# _Date__ _P# _Status Cost(CAD) Description
R001 20111230 027 Fixed__ _350_____Engine Check with Misfire stored for #4, #8, #9.
R002 20111230 000 NoIssue _________Engine Check for Charge air temperature is too high
R003 20111230 059 Fixed__ _700_____Rust/bubbles on FR, RL & RR fenders. Left rear door affected
R004 20111230 003 Fixed__ ___0_____C/S Driving mode not working, ESM interrupted
R005 20111230 187 Fixed__ ___0_____Driver side mirror heater open circuit
R006 20111230 000 Pending _________HSW(Heated steering wheel) Control Unit undervoltage
R007 20111230 000 Fixed__ __12_____Wheel Center Cap broken
R008 20120109 006 Pending _________Sun Visor mirror frame broken
R009 20120114 004 Fixed__ __50_____Ventilation Hose broken, oil leaking on front top of Engine
R010 20120210 036 Fixed__ __10_____Transmission shift rough when cold
R011 20120114 053 Fixed__ __10_____Front right marker damage and parking sensor misaligned
R012 20111230 057 Fixed__ __20_____Brown marks left on all 4 fenders' painting
R013 20120519 089 Fixed__ __19_____Passenger Low Beam Bulb Failure
R014 20120717 094 Fixed__ ___0_____CD Cartridge stuck in the 6 CD Changer
R015 20130118 151 Fixed__ __60_____Front heater is not hot enough when cold outside, bad circulation pump
R016 20130617 189 Fixed__ _300_____Occasionally creaking grinding noise when turning wheel, bad front joints

M001 20111230 000 Pending _________Diver side ESA(Electric Seat Adjustment) No normalizing of backrest adjustment.
M002 20111230 007 Fixed__ ___0_____Sun Roof not normalized reported by OCP(Overhead control panel)
M003 20120109 018 Done__ _300_____Transmission fluid, pan gasket & Electric plug replace due to under pan leaking
M004 20120109 000 Fixed__ 270 (Ind*) Front left lower Ball Joint has little play, replace with OEM part (Lemforeder)
M005 20120109 000 Done__ _________Left Exhaust pipe bend forward, shorter than right side
M006 20120109 000 Done__ _________Front Pads worn, around 4 mm
M007 20120109 000 Pending _________Rear Rotors rust
M008 20120113 000 Done__ __62_____Front wiper blade deteriorated
M009 20120113 016 Done__ 1400_____Need winter tires/rims to improve winter driving ability
M010 20120113 019 Done__ _100_____Engine oil & filter replace
M012 20120114 074 Done__ _250_____ABC suspension hydraulic fluid & filter replace
M013 20120114 087 Done__ _100_____Differential oil replace
M014 20120114 154 Done__ __50_____Coolant replace
M015 20120114 032 Done__ __60_____Air Filter replace and Trottle Body clean up, MAF maybe
M016 20120114 000 Done__ __30_____Steering fluid replace
M017 20120114 035 Done__ _300_____Spark Plug replace
M018 20120210 038 Done__ ___0_____Transmission Control Module clean up, box full of oil
M019 20120225 088 Done__ _175_____Fuel filter replace
M020 20120420 081 Done__ __60_____ABC Valve Block clean up
M021 20120509 086 Done__ __20_____Cabin/Dust Filter replace
M022 20130427 162 Done__ _600_____ABC high pressure lines/hoses replace
M023 20130601 195 Done__ _365_____Front brake disks rust and replace
M024 20130515 205 Done__ _260_____V-belt, pulleys and tensioner replace

I001 20111230 043 NoIssue _________Need push gas to back up
I002 20111230 149 NoIssue _________Car won't start when SmartKey turned
I003 20120210 150 NoIssue _________Small amount Metal/Aluminium flake/shaving/swarf in Transmission filter
I004 20120930 100 Infor___ _________Procedure/action list when ABC has issue or ABC message show up
I005 20121222 112 Nick___ _________ABC Pulsation Damper exploded and fix
I006 20130131 146 Infor___ _________Check coolant level and top off (main circuit)
I007 20130210 155 Infor___ _________Navigation volume very low, can't hear the instructions
I008 20130810 171 Nick___ _________ABC high pressure line/hose for RF strut replace
I009 20130801 173 Infor___ _________ABC maintenance guidelines
I010 20131231 196 Nick___ _________ABC, more maintenance suggestions
I011 20140210 197 Nick___ _________Rear strut ball joint squeaks, grease re-pack
I012 20140417 202 Infor___ _________Regular maintenance (A&B services) DIY guideline

Ind*, Task carried by Independent mechanic.
Nick, Welwynnick, member of this forum.


By the way, you may want to open a new thread if any issue not listed here but need to be discussed.
And we could keep this tread focus on it's own purpose.

haoz129

Issue description:
When push the C/S switch on Gear Shifter/Electronic Selector panel the driving mode won't change from Comfortable to Sport.
And the selector panel won't light up either.

Issue reported as a fault in Star scan:
ESM - Electronic selector module
P1911 The link between control module N15/5 (Electronic selector lever module (ESM [EWM])) and the shift gate illumination is interrupted.

Cause:
Electric connector to the Selector panel loose.

Repair:
Remove Shift Knob (picture 1)
Remove Selector panel then reconnect Electric connector (yellow one on picture 2).
Reinstall Selector panel and Shift Knob.
If possible, clear fault memory and retest ESM.

Result:
Drive mode can be switched between Comfrotable and Sport.
Selector panel lights up after engine start.
No error code reported after the fix.

haoz129

Issue description:
Oil mess on top of engine around left front side.


Cause:
Valve on Ventilation Hose (Press. Reg. Valve to Charge Air Dist. Line) broken.
Part No. for this hose/valve assembly: A 275 010 05 82


Repair:
Replace hose/valve assembly.


Result:
No oil leak from the valve.

DRTYLNDY

WOW!!! You are surely an orginized person huh? Let me guess an engineer?
Good luck with your new baby. Keep up the good work.
Johan

haoz129

No big issue.
If come accross a good used one that's the solution.

haoz129

Issue reported as a fault in Star scan:
- OCP - Overhead control panel
B1066 SR (Sun Roof) is not normalized

Cause:
SR was not normalized. For example after replace battery.

Adjust: Normalize SR
Press SR switch upword to raise SR at the rear.
Wait until the SR is raised and hold the switch for approximately one second.

Result:
No error code reported after the normalization.

Becks Imports

This poor S600 has no idea what it's gotten itself into.

Bruce

AH1W-COBRA

both are not working correctly in our car from constantly using them to secure the sunshade in the front windshield. $450 each!

AH1W-COBRA

did you get the dvd?

Sgt. Schultz

LOL - well, Howard... if it's any consolation I just checked and my driver's side visor has the beginnings of hairline cracks on both top corner's.

design flaw apparently - stress points or something

least now I know to be careful!

keep hammering away @ them thar codes! UCANDOIT!!!

haoz129

Thanks, DRTYLNDY.

Yes, I'm a computer engineer and they call us dinosaur. We work on huge computer system which can be used forecast weather.
Sure, will keep doing and sharing.

Best regards.

Howard

haoz129

Sure, Bruce.

It's been pretty bad treated before.
Now it is getting better.

Best regards.

Howard

haoz129

Yes, Cobra.

I got the DVD you mentioned before. Very informative. It'll guide me through every tasks.

Yes, I used them kept sun shade as well in my Volvo.
BTW, I just got a quote of a used driver side Sun Visor for $120 with shipping.

Will share the result soon.

Best regards.

Howard

haoz129

Yes, feeling much better, .

I agree with you, kind of flaw design, pretty weak and fragile after years.
I think it's less improtant for us then for a lady driver. They will use it more often, I saw woman making up during driving, .

But anyway, no car is perfect, just get use to it.

Best regards.

Howard

haoz129

Winter tires/rims are must have to handle Canadian winter.
And winter tires make huge difference than all season and summer tires.
How much difference, if you don't try you can never tell.

Got 4 AMG original rims, used dial indicator to check straight variation (unit: measured by 1/1000 inches):
___InSide_OutSide(Spoke side)
LF: __18____04
RF: __38____13
LR: __14____05
RR: __30____08

Industrial standard for alloy rims, radial runout should be less than 30x1/1000 inches.
Make sure all rims is within specification can help get good tire balance.
Seems I need to get a better one for RF.

Rims need to be refinished due to previous curb rash.

haoz129

Will try replace spark plug first.

Parts:
- Spark plug (A 004 159 14 03), $268: I'm using OEM Bosch FR7KPP33U x24, factory gapped;
- Spark plug gasket (A 000 159 00 80), $10;
- Anti seize;
- Dielectric grease;

haoz129

Parts:
- Transmission fluid (A 001 989 68 03 13), 10L for $218: MB ATF 134, sheet 236.14;
- Transmission filter (A 140 277 00 95), $21;
- Transmission pan gasket (A 140 271 00 80), $23;
- Transmission plug gasket (A 140 271 00 60);
- Torque converter plug gasket (N 007603 010100);
- Filler cap lock pin (A 140 991 00 55);
- Electric plug (Pilot bushing, A 203 540 02 53);

haoz129

Parts:
- Engine oil filter kit;
- Drain plug gasket;
- Oil filler cap gaskt;
- Engine oil: Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40;

Becks Imports

This guy's gonna get to 500 posts in a week, it took me like three years.

Bruce

tusabes

Howard I love this thread!! Very detailed. Can you include parts prices and your labor time on each project too ?

haoz129

Sure, George.

I will provide the information as you suggested.

Nice to see you enjoy it.

Thanks.

Howard

SFBIGBODY415

Wow awesome thread I'm Lot's of people will use your help on here.

S600Keith

Howard,

You are a gentleman and a scholar. As I said in your previous thread, you are one cool dude. The first thread you ever started became epic and your second is an instant classic. MB owners will be using this thread for years.

UDAMAN Howard!!

Keith

VMAX7

Sticky this! I'll be referring to this for a decade or two...