mar775

Tried to grow up a bit, sold the C32AMG, now a new owner of an '08 R320cdi 4matic. Have more issues here than I ever did with the little hot rod!(but I love this thing!)
Well, got a pretty strong engine with minimal blow-by for 130,000 miles. Few broken bits here and there a growl/shimmy around 1,700 and 2,200 rpm under load, something weird sounding, harsh, on the front driver's side under hard acceleration when going straight (but not when turning either direction)...
The immediate concern is that I'm losing coolant. I smell it when i get out of the car, the "top up coolant" message comes on and my nice country drive today ended up in limp until I got it cooled and filled.
Suggestions on likely possible culprits and best course of action? Thx.

mar775

This is the one I bought, BTW, maybe some of you know it. An absolute pleasure to drive...

http://www.preownedtruckstorega.com/...240257379.veh#

Plutoe

Before starting the car to look for the obvous coolant leaks, check the condition and color of the engine oil--if it aint pitch black

mar775

Oil looks fine... no coolant in oil.
Is there a separate transmission cooler? How do I check transmission oil?

mar775

Also, anyone do a fuel/water separator prior to that miniscule last chance thing in the V?

efzauner

I don't understand what you mean by "miniscule last chance thing in the V?"
You should empty the water from the separator at every oil change. Change the filter every 10Kmiles
Its easy, just put a cloth over the small hole on that knurled knob and unscrew it a bit until water/fuel comes out.


As for coolant loss, how much? In 3 years I have topped up the tank a few times. Not more than a few cups in 60kMiles. I don't know where it is going.
Sometimes the top up coolant warning may be false. Just check the level in the coolant reservoir. Top up with Mercedes coolant.. it is sold premixed

mar775

Filling every day.
As for the fuel/water separator, I was thinking more field-servicable, on an off-ramp, in a deluge,.. bulb primer, petcock for taking a little sample (in aviation and marine worlds, we do it at least every day) bleed line, and vacuum gauge so you can see vacuum rising if there is gunk in the filter. Six injectors at $750 per... are my motivation.

efzauner

It is easy to empty ... Have not hear of do many water in diesel issues or dirty filter on the forums in the civilized world.
I see that someone change the filter without the proper quick clip tool....and replaced them with regular hose clamps... amateur. ;-)

mar775

I agree with that! Obviously, there was Stopleak in the system when I bought the car, also... it didn't work for 130,000 miles, then start leaking coolant on MY short tenure! Likely traded into dealer with a host of problems and he confided that he was in over his head on this one - he wanted to "get rid of it before it cost him any more money"

mar775

Well, I am going to look like Vulture Snoopy over at MB of Boerne for the day. FREE COOKIES AND COFFEE!!! (Do you think I'll pay for them somehow anyway?!)
I'll let you know what they diagnose. I love this car. I hope we can make it whole again without spending too much

mar775

Oil cooler leaking externally. Wrong fluid in power steering pump, glow plug control module (?), maybe more...
Oil cooler is the show stopper - how easy to get at? I have pretty good mechanical aptitude but no shop.

mar775

Oops... power steering rack bad from "wrong fluid", they said. Pump was leaking, someone added something to quiet it down, it damaged pump, they say it puts metal shavings in rack (?)... anyway, four grand + for them to fix that one. I guess I'll be mechanic-ing.
I repeat, I bought this basket of issues from Preowned Trucks, in Catersville (Atlanta). Those nice folks know how to sell a car!

mar775

Any tips on getting at that oil cooler and changing out the seals?

N_Jay

Lots of write-ups in the W/X164 fourm

mar775

Thx for that!