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Well I have had the car back from LB Mercedes since Friday. The service took almost a whole day. Went up to Arrowhead for the weekend so I have had a good mix of highway/city driving. Car is a 2013 ML350 with 75k miles. Initial impressions....
1. Runs at least 20 degrees hotter. Consistently running 202 degrees according to my Scanguage. This was obviously due to the new thermostat that was included in the recall.
2. Performance actually feels better than before the fix. This is probably due to my DPF being about 50% blocked but it feels like the turbo might come in a little earlier.
3. MPG is currently 24.2 after 250 miles
4. DPF shows a 6% load after 250 miles
As for MB of LB, they have always treated me well. The fact that they are a Sprinter service location makes me feel better than taking it to most MB dealers. They probably work on more Bluetecs than most dealers in the country.
Just had my 2015 GL 350 MB Settlement modification completed. No cost as it’s covered my warranty, but noticed $2,400 for parts + $750 in labor charges on the dealer computer.
My appointment for the fix is March 29th. Amazing though, they told me a loaner is “not available” for this mandated repair. (This is the dealer I purchased the vehicle 7 1/2 years ago)
loaner should be provided or they have to pay cash.
My lawyer will mail the opted out form to me this week. I will sign it.
My car's modification is not approved yet, and expect to be approved in q3, 2021.
Given my prior experience with MB USA, I'm pretty sure if the modification goes wrong, they will scam you with thousands of dollars. If stay in the class action, you can not fight back at all.
Here was my letter to the law firm Good morning Shelby.
Yes, I was so excited yesterday when I got into the site but then It shows that my car was not listed even though it's part of EMC 4. It's a 2012 GL350 which is mechanically almost identical to the drivetrain of the 2012 ML350 which is listed as ready to update the your website. This is why I'm so confused hoping this is some type of oversight.
EMC 4 from the EPA is below.
EMC 4
ML350 (MY12-14)
6-cyl
32,764
Software Update
New copper catalyst, DOC, DPF
New NOx sensor
New PM sensor
Upon Effective Date of Consent Decree
(March 9, 2021)
GL350 (MY12-16)
6-cyl
I'm in way too much on this car and I'm stuck with a fully clogged 2x DPF that needs replacement. I can't wait till q3. Removing cutting baking is the same price as a Starla replacement which I have heard doesn't always work. Cant put any more money into this
I stopped by my local dealer yesterday, and got my E250 scheduled for service on the 29th. I spoke with him about the DEF level sensor code, and he said that they will look into it, but does not expect for it to be covered due to the fact that the DEF tank isn't part of the campaign. I told him to leave it alone, if it isn't covered, and I'll handle it myself. On the drive home, the MIL actually turned itself off, so I may have a marginal sensor that is on it's way out, and I just need to be prepared to change out the heater assembly.
I stopped by my local dealer yesterday, and got my E250 scheduled for service on the 29th. I spoke with him about the DEF level sensor code, and he said that they will look into it, but does not expect for it to be covered due to the fact that the DEF tank isn't part of the campaign. I told him to leave it alone, if it isn't covered, and I'll handle it myself. On the drive home, the MIL actually turned itself off, so I may have a marginal sensor that is on it's way out, and I just need to be prepared to change out the heater assembly.
I don't understand how he could say that, it's part of the emission control system. I would think if you haven't modified the car they should make everything emission control related work.
The emission control system warranty shall cover the following parts or systems:
• DOC,
• DPF,
• SCR catalyst,
• DEF injector,
• DEF injector controller,
• DEF supply module,
• DEF pump,
• Temperature sensor unit,
• Exhaust temperature sensor,
• PM sensor,
• Lambda sensor for Emission Modification Categories 1–5,
• NOx sensors,
• Fuel injectors,
• Air intake throttle,
• EGR valve,
• EGR duct,
• EGR cooler (including bypass-control),
• Intake manifold/charge air distributor,
• EGR temperature sensor,
• Turbocharger, including VGT actuator,
• ECU hardware, where replaced as part of the Approved Emission Modification,
• TCU hardware, where replaced as part of the Approved Emission Modification,
• HCU hardware, where replaced as part of the Approved Emission Modification,
• OBD System: the cost of any OBD Diagnostic Scan for malfunctions that trigger the MIL, regardless of whether the malfunction is attributable to a part that is covered under the Extended Modification Warranty, as well as the cost of troubleshooting to determine the reason for the malfunction, but only if the malfunction is determined to be attributable to a part that is covered under the Extended Modification Warranty,
• Cylinder head assembly components: camshaft, valves, springs, valve spring keepers, valve seats, cam bearing caps, and manifold studs,
• Engine timing chain,
• Intake manifold pressure sensor,
• Instrument cluster hardware, where replaced as part of the Approved Emission Modification, and
• Coolant thermostat, where replaced as part of the Approved Emission Modification.
The parts replacement depends a lot on vehicle model.
I currently have my Sprinter at the dealer and from what I read the only thing they will replace is Nox sensor + software update.
I check VIN numbers from my E250 and they say there is no recall on them. WTH? DeltaAir423 I had cel on both of my E250s when DEF level went low, but topping it off solved the issue. Sprinter forum wisdom advise to not let DEF to go low as that expose the heater, who can overheat and burn.
Important issue as on Sprinters DEF heater is integral part of $3500 tank.
Can you post the statement when you complete the fix?
On page 345 of the Consent Decree Its listing EMC 5 for the x164 and a tier of "Aug 30th" vs EPA listing it as EMC4 will get an answer from the EPA rep.
The parts replacement depends a lot on vehicle model.
I currently have my Sprinter at the dealer and from what I read the only thing they will replace is Nox sensor + software update.
I check VIN numbers from my E250 and they say there is no recall on them. WTH? DeltaAir423 I had cel on both of my E250s when DEF level went low, but topping it off solved the issue. Sprinter forum wisdom advise to not let DEF to go low as that expose the heater, who can overheat and burn.
Important issue as on Sprinters DEF heater is integral part of $3500 tank.
Can you post the statement when you complete the fix?
No problem. Currently the current and stored code is 203D17. When I go to the live data in my scanner it shows Full - not immersed, refill - immersed, reserve - immersed, and the current live quantity is 2.5 gal (6 is full if I recall correctly). I do suspect the fault lies internal to the heater assy in the tank, because when I had the rear of the car up on ramps to trouble shoot, after I drove it off, the ramps slid, and the rear bounced a bit. The code went away for two cycles and returned later. Luckily the heater assembly (Bosch) is only $388 on rock auto, so if the dealer balks, I'm only out $388 and my time. These tanks are ridiculously easy to drop, and I should have it done within a couple of hours. I'd only be out the cost of the heater, 5 gal of DEF, and my time.
Few here commented/had questions about impact of the Emissions Modification. Overall, GL is more lively and the engine stays about 10-20 degrees cooler. Below is the trip info from the first mostly highway trip post modification:
I was getting around 25 MPG on the way to the dealer for that same trip. So, 2 more miles per gallon after the mod. Which makes me wonder how clogged up my emissions system was or was it purely MB software engineering that made the impact.
I was getting around 25 MPG on the way to the dealer for that same trip. So, 2 more miles per gallon after the mod. Which makes me wonder how clogged up my emissions system was or was it purely MB software engineering that made the impact.
It sounds like a classical MB innovation: they make a prototype grade modification without fully test the reliability.
That is why I will sign up with kazlg law firm to sue MB individually. The $3900 or so settlement fee might only enough to cover one major repair if the so called modification go seriously wrong and MB denying it as they always do.
The $3900 or so settlement fee might only enough to cover one major repair if the so called modification go seriously wrong and MB denying it as they always do.
There are a lot of gray areas for that modification warranty.
The whole power train potentially impacted by modification, but MB only narrowly cover a few components.
This is getting tough for any x164 GL owners.
Side topic. I have a fully clogged DPF and cant wait till Augest for MB to get there act togeather for my AEM.
Does anyone use a Starla DPF replacement? its ~$550 and at this point I'm so far in Id have to spend more again to get a car running till the AEM ( Where they would replace it anyway) Removal baking and replacement here in Socal is also ~500.
This is getting tough for any x164 GL owners.
Side topic. I have a fully clogged DPF and cant wait till Augest for MB to get there act togeather for my AEM.
Does anyone use a Starla DPF replacement? its ~$550 and at this point I'm so far in Id have to spend more again to get a car running till the AEM ( Where they would replace it anyway) Removal baking and replacement here in Socal is also ~500.
So you don't have the recall on your GL ?
Don't know what Starla is, but there is supplier of aftermarket DPF for very good prices at https://wl-parts.com/store/
He is forum sponsor and I chat with the seller few times.
At this point the sale volume is small, so they don't bother making certification for CA and NY, but per seller response, the DPF does meet the criteria.
I do have a recall and sadly there's some headache as the 10-12 ML's are open for repairs now but the 10-12 GL are not. Been hounding MBUSA and the law firm the Class action administrator and as of tomorrow the EPA again as to why we the x164 are pushed to q3 of this year.
As of now, the DPF cant is forced to regen it's some 200 percent full. The car has codes won't go over 15-20 mph and don't wanna ruin the turbo or cause any other damage.
Starla is just the brand of DPF that Sites like AutohouseAZ sell for this car. At about 550 USD. Seen the WL polish sourced DPF and its ~1300USD and not for sale in California.
Essentially I would just need to get back on the road till the official fix.
From the oil cooler to the turbo to the air suspension to the DPF heater and now this. By far the worst MB experience I have had sad to say a dream of an Oil burning SUV will never exisit. I have spent half my purchase price of this GL ( Used) On repairs. And even then before this fix I doubled and tripled down repairing the power steering pump and oil filter housing in anticipation of the AEM. To far in this now no turning back.
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