scoobertdoo

My first MB ever. I has 150,000 miles on the clock, and has a few niggles.
1 air ride warning of some sort showing level up malfunction
2 coolant level warning, some sort of sensor issue
3 no fan in the seat cooler?
4 rear shade does not go down
5 map lights do not turn on?

Any tips would be great, also anything I need to do on week one?
I pickup the car this week.

MJ50

moved to W211 forum...

RCPDesigns

Them some expensive 'niggles'. Good luck. Might all be bad sensors and connectors but more than likely you'll need air ride fixed (lol), coolant system fix, rear shade replaced (big bucks). Search around in the forum and you should find a thread for getting the rear shade back down, once it is down, don't put it up again. If you've got good DIY skills you can take the shade out and try lubricating the rails. AirMatic overview and troubleshooting here: https://mercedessource.com/news/dont...pension-system
Also, post your VIN so that someone can check it to see if your engine falls in the balance shaft gear problem. If it does, see if you can get your money back on the car. Seriously. Here is the thread with more information. The 273 (V8) doesn't have the balance shaft but still has the gear that fails. It is my understanding that it is still a problem, even in the V8. https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...nce-shaft.html

scoobertdoo

the vin is WDBUF72X97B114773 thanks for checking it for me.

RCPDesigns

550 affected up to engine # 30 088611, your # is 30 122783 so you are fine
Once less problem for you!

rtbrjason

Where did you find that info? Could you check WDBUF90X57B181093?

RCPDesigns

goto http://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Mercedes-Benz
enter your VIN
scroll down to find engine number.

You engine number is 30 154862, so not in the affected range. You're good.

konigstiger

Here you go.

scoobertdoo

I think the power steering pump is shot.
Whats the best place to buy one, and what hours should I be looking for from a shop?
I googled the part, and it needs to know if I have active body control?
Thanks for all the help guys!

burgca

If you don't have service history and didn't do a PPI start with flushing and replacing all fluids (including Trans, Brakes, for Power steering Pentosin CHF 11S). Fill with the proper MB fluids if the pump still doesn't function then a new pump will be needed.

RCPDesigns

If the reason you think the power steering pump is shot is that it is making noises like a love-sick banshee late at night... then do this. Check the level of power steering fluid, if it is low, add the proper fluid. Oddly enough... the type of PS fluid to use is dependent on your suspension type (active body control).
If the fluid is low and you top it off I would expect your problem to go away. (edit) I looked at your data card again and it doesn't look like you have ABC (option 487)
If the fluid is not low *but* you notice tiny air bubbles in the fluid then you likely have a clogged filter. The filter is in the reservoir and can only be changed by changing the reservoir. This is an easy task and a cheap part. I would do this regardless of if you need a new pump or not. If you change the reservoir (and you can do this by yourself) and it works fine then you're done. If it still has a problem then the pump needs to be changed, however, you always change the reservoir when you change the pump so you haven't wasted any money. After changing the reservoir you should feel comfortable changing the pump as well.
I had this problem with the Wife's E320 and changing the reservoir was all that was needed. The telltale sign is the tiny air bubbles in the reservoir. These are generated by the pump having to force the fluid through the clogged filter. If you go that route, here's where to start (note that you need to order the little seal as well)

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Make/Merce...ring_Reservoir

This was one of the videos I watched that helped:

FCPEuro

The 550 is a beast of a car, congrats on it.

The thermostat replacement is like the 272 engine and I suspect you have a replacement in your future. Check the video at the bottom. For the suspension, you need to pull the fault code. The most common strut to fail is the front right followed by the rear air springs. A compressor and relay will be a future replacement if you don't remedy air suspension issues quickly. For the rear shade and map light follow normal electrical troubleshooting techniques...does it have a blown bulb followed by does it have a blown fuse etc.


--Kyle

scoobertdoo

Will the fault code tell me what one is going wrong?
Can I pull that code with an OBD2 reader, or do I need to find a starscan?

The map light is a bit embarrassing, I didnt realize it was on the bottom of the mirror :P

RCPDesigns

I don't know the answer to that, all I have is Star. I believe one of the advantages to Star is that not only does it give you the code, you can also read the values. That page is very helpful because it will provide a lot more detailed information. Example: I had several codes that said the left side upstream O2 sensor was bad. When I went the actual values screen it said, basically, that the sensor was unplugged. It indeed was. Plugged it back in and all was well. So... either find someone (indy, friend, etc) with one or buy one. Obviously only buy one if you feel comfortable doing more than changing the oil.

scoobertdoo

Just took the car for an oil change at walmart. They said they could not find the oil drain plug?

RCPDesigns

So there's your clue... don't take your Mercedes to Walmart unless you're putting a for sale sign in the window.

scoobertdoo

LOL an oil change is simple, and if i lived in NY still I would do it myself, but its 90 outside, and fat people like me melt.

RCPDesigns

Yeah, I get that. Servicing your E550 properly is going to require a dealer or very good indy. Obviously the dealer is going to cost a fortune. A good indy probably will as well. Post your location and ask around in the forums for a good indy in your area.

scoobertdoo

So the right front seems about an inch lower, is there a way to make sure thats the one?

RCPDesigns

The link I posted earlier https://mercedessource.com/news/dont...pension-system has some good troubleshooting tips.

scoobertdoo

woohoo, new problem
Today the car didnt start. I went thru my old mechanic brain and checked the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Bone dry. Not a single drop came out. So I think I may need a fuel pump.... Could it be anything else, before I go and replace it?

The car did hiccup at idle yesterday... once really hard.

Also while cranking I could not smell any fuel. I tried about 10 times.

scoobertdoo

It looks like it has two fuel pumps? Can both be bad, or is there a way to determine what one is bad? If one goes, will the car not start, or must both be bad?

rodneypierce

dude please tell me that you had a pre purchase inspection done... if not, it already sounds like you are in for a whole lot of headaches!

scoobertdoo

The car was $6200, so I figured why bother. Even if I put 3K into it, I am in the good.

OnlyGerman

Not sure about that. It will add up fast.