First MB C230
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Washington
First MB C230
My son got a 2003 C230 sedan with a 1.8l supercharger. it has a oil leak and he can't drive it because he says his knees hit the under dash so he asked to swap for the 2013 Cruze I used as a daily driver. I've never owned a European car. This one has a leak and a bunch of warning lights. I've got a couple of different bi directional ODB2 scanners but they don't seem to work well with European makes. What is the best economical scanner for this make?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
There are a pile of known leaks for your car. The good news is they're all relatively easy fixes.
Oil will leak from the vacuum pump in the back, as well as the cam sensors in the front (there was a recall for this). Both are easy fixes.
Coolant will leak because the plastic coolant pipes crack. There are 3 pipes and 1 nipple that are known for doing this.
The DIY sticky at the top of the W203 forum will have all the required links. Your engine is M271.
Oil will leak from the vacuum pump in the back, as well as the cam sensors in the front (there was a recall for this). Both are easy fixes.
Coolant will leak because the plastic coolant pipes crack. There are 3 pipes and 1 nipple that are known for doing this.
The DIY sticky at the top of the W203 forum will have all the required links. Your engine is M271.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
If you were expecting an easy inexpensive car to maintain well....
So where's the leak? Can I buy a vowel?
Give us a clue.
As far as scanner, I don't recommend iCarsoft
I have one, but most of the codes I get it says aren't supported.
I'm actually wanting to know the same thing.
It does however quite a bit of info in the live data section
is able to read all the systems in the car so thats helpful.
But i can't clear an SRS error after going a steering wheel swap.
Very frustrating and no one around here has Star Diag.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Sep 23, 2024 at 12:39 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: PA
2005 c230 Sport Sedan
There are a pile of known leaks for your car. The good news is they're all relatively easy fixes.
Oil will leak from the vacuum pump in the back, as well as the cam sensors in the front (there was a recall for this). Both are easy fixes.
Coolant will leak because the plastic coolant pipes crack. There are 3 pipes and 1 nipple that are known for doing this.
The DIY sticky at the top of the W203 forum will have all the required links. Your engine is M271.
Oil will leak from the vacuum pump in the back, as well as the cam sensors in the front (there was a recall for this). Both are easy fixes.
Coolant will leak because the plastic coolant pipes crack. There are 3 pipes and 1 nipple that are known for doing this.
The DIY sticky at the top of the W203 forum will have all the required links. Your engine is M271.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Thanks, it's a C230 4 door Sedan. Has lots of matainence items to take care of.
its was idling sort of then chugging I had to feather it to keep it from dying. I took off the air cleaner and MAF sensor holder. That hose clamp at the bottom needs experience to remove and replace but I got through it, although it must have taken me a good 40 mins with long nose pliers to remove and then a wire clamp to put it back. I was going to use a zip tie to hold open the clamp but the wire clamp works fine. It's easier just to pull the clamp up into position while wide open by feel rather than by sight. I used an entire can to clean out the sensor. I'm not sure out it gets the oil in there. I didn't see a breather cover on the back of the block, is it built into the valve cover with an oil seperator on this engine? It's losing about a ton of oil what are the most likely culprits? It idles fine but now my dash has lit up like a Christmas Tree.
My son is grown and 5'-7" small guy. Compared to me at 5'-11"
its was idling sort of then chugging I had to feather it to keep it from dying. I took off the air cleaner and MAF sensor holder. That hose clamp at the bottom needs experience to remove and replace but I got through it, although it must have taken me a good 40 mins with long nose pliers to remove and then a wire clamp to put it back. I was going to use a zip tie to hold open the clamp but the wire clamp works fine. It's easier just to pull the clamp up into position while wide open by feel rather than by sight. I used an entire can to clean out the sensor. I'm not sure out it gets the oil in there. I didn't see a breather cover on the back of the block, is it built into the valve cover with an oil seperator on this engine? It's losing about a ton of oil what are the most likely culprits? It idles fine but now my dash has lit up like a Christmas Tree.
My son is grown and 5'-7" small guy. Compared to me at 5'-11"
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Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 149
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From: Carbondale Illinois
2002 mercedes c230 kompressor coupe (CL203)
My son got a 2003 C230 sedan with a 1.8l supercharger. it has a oil leak and he can't drive it because he says his knees hit the under dash so he asked to swap for the 2013 Cruze I used as a daily driver. I've never owned a European car. This one has a leak and a bunch of warning lights. I've got a couple of different bi directional ODB2 scanners but they don't seem to work well with European makes. What is the best economical scanner for this make?
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Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 149
Likes: 6
From: Carbondale Illinois
2002 mercedes c230 kompressor coupe (CL203)
Thanks, it's a C230 4 door Sedan. Has lots of matainence items to take care of.
its was idling sort of then chugging I had to feather it to keep it from dying. I took off the air cleaner and MAF sensor holder. That hose clamp at the bottom needs experience to remove and replace but I got through it, although it must have taken me a good 40 mins with long nose pliers to remove and then a wire clamp to put it back. I was going to use a zip tie to hold open the clamp but the wire clamp works fine. It's easier just to pull the clamp up into position while wide open by feel rather than by sight. I used an entire can to clean out the sensor. I'm not sure out it gets the oil in there. I didn't see a breather cover on the back of the block, is it built into the valve cover with an oil seperator on this engine? It's losing about a ton of oil what are the most likely culprits? It idles fine but now my dash has lit up like a Christmas Tree.
My son is grown and 5'-7" small guy. Compared to me at 5'-11"
its was idling sort of then chugging I had to feather it to keep it from dying. I took off the air cleaner and MAF sensor holder. That hose clamp at the bottom needs experience to remove and replace but I got through it, although it must have taken me a good 40 mins with long nose pliers to remove and then a wire clamp to put it back. I was going to use a zip tie to hold open the clamp but the wire clamp works fine. It's easier just to pull the clamp up into position while wide open by feel rather than by sight. I used an entire can to clean out the sensor. I'm not sure out it gets the oil in there. I didn't see a breather cover on the back of the block, is it built into the valve cover with an oil seperator on this engine? It's losing about a ton of oil what are the most likely culprits? It idles fine but now my dash has lit up like a Christmas Tree.
My son is grown and 5'-7" small guy. Compared to me at 5'-11"
