willcedes

i have an 05 c230K

recently my Check engine light came on.

I ran the codes with an OBDII reader and the error came up

Engine Running lean (bank 1)

is this a serious problem or can i still drive it till next week when i have an appt at the dealership?

Thanks for the info.

aolsen

What are the symptoms of your car? Are there any, or do you just have the check engine light?

willcedes

no symptoms. the car seems to drive normal other than the check engine light came on with that error of running lean.

hope that clarifies?

dbvolz

Anybody? I'm having similar problems...

PA_Pete

Running lean? Sounds like maybe an air leak somewhere.

Glyn M Ruck

What mileage has the car done - this is a fuel trim warning - You can drive till next week - just don't go on a 1000 mile trip. May be an O2 sensor or MAF problem. Can try unplugging the MAF - get it properly diagnosed.

SeaCoupe

This is most likely the MAF. You can drive it, just don't do any hard throttling of the car. BABY the car.

E

brabus86

i have the same problem to, i can drive but the check engine light up for month now on my car, seem like it okay, but again i do not know what's the problem. should i be worries?

Glyn M Ruck

Borrow or buy a 70 buck OBDII/CAN reader from Kragens and check what codes come up. It might be minor but you can do damage by ignoring it. Run too lean for too long & you can hole a piston.

dbvolz

My light has only been on since last night. I took the car by the dealer today and the tech said the error comes up as an "adaptation error" he said it was the air/fuel mixture and it may be as small as a little sensor or the whole MAF. If it's the MAF, does anybody know how much that costs? Is it something they have to do, or is it a possible DIY job?

AMGfan

Do a google search on "Mercedes OEM auto parts" and you should get several sites that sell the MAF for your car...It'll give you an idea of the part cost even if you decide to go to MB for the repair...

amanonfire

Check your cam sensors, I'll bet $5 they are leaking cause running lean is one of the first indications as it fouls the connection to the O2 sensors.

There's a thread on how to check them, STF.

Its not serious that you shouldn't drive the car, yet unless you are under warranty or can DIY, the fix is pricey!

Glyn M Ruck

It's a DIY. Go here
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/206492-diy-m271-maf-replacement.html

Glyn M Ruck

Guys - see this - it covers all your questions

amanonfire

Don't it it, I made this mistake and replaced MAF and both O2 sensors only to find out it was the cam sensors leaking.

CHECK THOSE FIRST!

dbvolz

Thanks for all the info guys! I have the following dilemma: I recently had to replace the alternator pulley due to faulty bearings: cost me around $520. Now I have an appointment next week to get my Check Engine situation looked at. The tech guessed it was probably either the MAF or O2 sensors, but without further investigating he couldn't tell. Also, I have a Blower Regulator issue as well as a broken passenger door pull. Basically I'm guessing I'm going to end up easily paying over a $1000 for all this. (Just a ballpark) Now I ask you guys this: is it worth buying an extended warranty? I thought that problems like these would come much later down the road since I'm only 5000 miles out of warranty. Most warranties are around $3000. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

mleskovar

Yes.

amanonfire

Please, for the love of god, check your cam sensors. 50K miles is about when the leak becomes a problem, and MAF/O2 sensor issues are a common misdiagnosis.

It takes 2 mins to check them, pop the hood, pop off the connector, look for oil.

Do NOT trust the tech to find this. Te techs at the dealership I go to changed my O2 sensors despite them DRIPPING oil out of the connector!

It'll save you $500 ($300 for new MAF, $100 each for O2s) which you'll need for a new engine harness ($350).

amanonfire

Usually: no

On these cars: YES

C230 Sport Coup

Agreed. I definitely got my money's worth.

Glyn M Ruck

amanonfire is correct - it could be the cam sensors - here - let us know
Do the pigtales



Check for oil leaks











amanonfire - calm down & people will listen!!!

amanonfire

Nah, I'm just going to post more "I told ya so"s and laugh at wasted money on repairs.

dbvolz

Ok, so I just unplug these sensors to see if there's a leak? Thanks for the pics, at least now I know where to look. From what I understand, I would be unplugging the sensors and pluggin in the part labeled "starter line"? Don't seem to follow you. Is this something I can replace myself? Also, I still have the blower regulator problem. You guys think it makes more sense to replace the cam sensors (if they are the problem) myself and try to get an independent to change the regulator? Or just get the warranty?

Oh, I just checked the price for the Cam sensors, apparently OEM is $159 and Bosch is $89 and a company called Vemo only $70

Glyn M Ruck

If you are going to keep the car I would get the warrantee.

Anyway - just uplug the sensors and see if everything is full of oil. It works it's way down the harness and messes with the O2 sensor readings. You can change the sensors yourself if they are leaking and attach the pigtales that Benz devised as a fix. Then if the new ones leak they mess up the pigtales & not a major piece of wiring harness. I would not do anything until you see if the sensors are leaking or not - it might be a red herring.

Once diagnosed then you can make decisions. This is all covered in detail on this forum if you search - I am however quite prepared to help if I can - no problem. Check those cam sensors.

dbvolz

Glyn & Amanonfire: Thank you! I just checked my cam sensors, one was ok, but the other had oil in it! Wow, would have never thought to check these! I literally had my CEL come on Wednesday night, and have hardly driven the car since then. So I figure I will order the cam sensors and pigtails and install these myself. Right? I figure the sensors can't be too hard to install...

Also, I'm still thinking of getting a warranty and then eventually claiming my A/C blower regulator on that since its not such a priority with winter coming and all... Any advice on the warranty? Who to go with?