Hello and how are you all today. I was driving my car to work and I got a refill adblue on my cluster. When I went to leave work I had another error code 10 starts left show up. I had my vehicle serviced recently and the tank should have been topped off. So , i checked the level when I got home from work ,It was full , so at 10 years old ,and 123k miles I figured it was the level sensor went bad. I dont have the info on how to test it, so I ordered a Xemodex unit to replace it.
While i was working on the car ,I was able to get the downstream Nox sensor out. It was heavily coated with a white residue , similar to what I saw when I took the DEF injection nozzle out. Is this normal? What is the best way to clean the sensor?
Thanks, E350cruiser

 

What is the code? You say you drove with another code already? Did you check if your Bluetec is subject to pending emission recall?
From what I know - you will need dealer to reset the counter, leaving you not too many choices.

 

Hey Kajtek thanks for responding. I have been getting multiple error codes lately. I did get a code for Reductant heater a couple weeks ago . several other codes too. Cant remember them at the moment. I have the adblue tank out going to drain it this weekend.

 

E350cruiser, I have been getting many many error codes and have replaced just about everything from the DPF back. That said after just putting in a new CAT and a new BOSCH Def pump to the tune of $3000 I got another CEL today. I took it back into the shop and what they said is if you re program the SCR module for the adblue it doesn't update the main ECU which can still throw a code because they are not speaking the same language now that the SCR got an update Thus if I get another CEL my Mechanic (20yr MBZ tech) is going to reprogram the ECU. He answered my question before I even asked because the reason he didn't do that in the first place is they have to use the Star network to update the ECU and it take 4-5 hours and sometimes it doesn't take because of interruptions in the transfer. He also said if the update does not take then they have to Send the ECU to Germany for the update and they will have my care for a week if they have to do that. So I will wait and see.

To clean the NOx sensor I have herd of people soaking them in Diesel injector Cleaner overnight then drying them with carb cleaner, and that may work. I just replaced both of mine with the ones XeModeX makes. They are not cheap Chinese crap either they have them made in Canada custom. They are not BOSCH either which those are the OEM and they are also crap.

I also got the scoop on the emission's recall form my Mech. So here it is. They will proceed by model year older ones first as they have more problems and sprinter service vehicles as well. The deal will be a complete replacement of your exhaust and adblue system with an updated system that actually works from the Turbo back plus $3800 to cover any repairs that the owner has had to do. If you are not the original owner then you get $2400 and the previous owners will split the other $1400. I will loose of course because I have already spend well over $4900 in the last 3 months on my adblue and emissions system which is as follows:

2 NOx sensors (XeModeX) = $650 no labor as I did it myself it would have been $1500 parts and labor because of the stupid one forward that is routed under the heat shield. BTW I did reprogram the sensors so that is not the reason for the codes.
1 XeModeX DEF heater mod = $600 no labor as I did that one myself.
1 adblue Injector = $750 done by the Mech.
1 CAT = $2300
1 New adblue Pump = $600 (this was a steep discount because my Mech felt really bad about me funding his next trip to Hawaii with my emissions woes.)

So the emissions recall and compensation will not even cover it and this is all just to keep the thing on the road. I thought about a delete kit but I live in CA and that just won't work next time I have to get the damn think SMOG'ed.

All this though and I still absolutely think my GL350 is the best thing on the road. but the next major thing that happens I will drive it off a cliff!

 

If your vehicle doesn't fall under present recall, there are cheaper ways to fix it.
Nox sensor probes sell new on ebay for $80 and replacing probe only you avoid SCN coding on newer cars.
Aftermarket new DPF sell for $600-1000.

 

My E250 is scheduled to go into the dealer for the modification on Monday. In speaking with the service advisor, nothing in the AdBlue tank is part of the campaign. I'm also having an AdBlue level sensor fault, and if it isn't handled by the dealer when my car goes in Monday, I'm just going to change the heater assembly myself.

 

But there is campaign and there is warranty. Didn't you get the memo?
When campaign is not replacing DEF tank, it is subject to extended warranty.
The case is tricky as to get the warranty you have to do the campaign, but there is no note in the campaign that they can't do it with malfunctioning DEF.
The campaign started just a week ago, so we all wait how MB USA is going to play it.
Here is the campaign site.
https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/daim...vil-settlement

 

Hello and how are you 4blade1. I was looking at my Nox sensor and there is a white powdery residue similar to what was on the DEF injection nozzle. I was wondering if I could clean the probe with hot water to dissolve the residue , then clean with gumout carb cleaner to dry the water out. I dont know if the water would damage the sensor, but it did a good job cleaning the DEF injection nozzle.
I did not have the wrench I needed to get the upstream nox sensor out yet , so Im not sure of its condition. If i can get it out I will try to clean it before replacing. If I have to replace any of the sensors, perhaps the xemodex sensor is the way to go.
Thanks for your input, appreciate it.

 

good morning and how are you all. I need to edit an earlier post. The sensor i removed was not the rear nox , it is something else. The other day I removed the rear Nox sensor it was very clean. I dont know what the other sensor was upstream of it, about 3/8" diameter that was covered with the residue. I have not removed the first nox sensor yet.
I also put the xemodex level sensor and heater in this past week. Does the DEF tank have to be full when installing a new level sensor/heater? At home from work sick, I havent had a chance to get another container of DEF yet. If not, will the 10 start remaining warning go out now that I have a new unit in the DEF tank? I had a error code for reductive level sensor, I think it was P20be. I also had P2BAD What does that mean? Nox sensor bad?
My Car is on the list for recall, but will not get the repair work untill the end of the year. If my Nox sensors are needing replacement They require "initializing" .Who does that? I was looking around for replacement sensors, There are sensors available on Ebay and Amazon. Are the upstream and downstream the same part? If Not ,What are the factory part numbers for my car? 2011 E350 w212
Thanks, E350cruiser

 

I don't think your 2011 model has SCN coding, what is good, but from what I hear, only SD can reset the counter.
Here is link to $70 NOx sensor probe. You splice the wires and leaving old module doesn't require resetting anything.
On my 250 BT both NOx sensors are the same, but that's where checking EPC comes handy.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/A0009053403...2/123420825896

 

hey Kajtek, thanks for replying. I looked at the link you sent and it shows that it is appllicable to my car. so I guess the upstream and downstream Nox sensors are the same part?
not to sound stupid, but what is SCN coding and SD? I am not an auto mechanic. Does that mean a trip to the dealer?
Thanks, E350cruiser

 

SCN coding is another way for corporations to get into your wallet.
With MBUSA it start at about MY 2014, but farming machines had it even longer.
Since most of vehicle attachment those days have separate computerized module - manufacturers include software that require connection with main factory to program the module to the vehicle. My Sprinter radio went into security lockdown and it took dealer's PIN with about 1/2 hr of internet time to unlock it.
It is called SCN coding and require internet connection with Stuttgart to perform, but imagine how much your milk or potatoes price will go up, when farmer's $2 mil machine breaks on the field and they will have to wait a week for technician to make it there.
You can object the procedure at https://www.repair.org/stand-up

 

I have had a GLK250 for years which ate NOX sensors like candy. I had the same exact problem on my GLK250, which started with a CEL, proceeded to blowing an impenetrable white cloud on acceleration, crusting up the sensors and dosing valve with thick white crystals of DEF, and loading up my exhaust with DEF. I was told it was the dosing valve this time. I had codes for all sensors and the level sensor. It wasn't just the dosing valve, because replacing it did nothing. I was quoted over $4,000 to fix it, which didn't seem to guaranty a fix. It wasn't any of the DEF tank components. The countdown started and I parked the car for months until the emissions campaign approved the fix. There were too many components that could have been faulty. A software update was likely needed. Without doing everything together, it would have been an endless money pit. Still waiting to have the campaign completed. I believe the software or electronics are the problem. That is supposed to all be replaced with the campaign. There is no choice other than to roll the dice with incredible odds you will lose replacing individual components or park the car until you can get the campaign completed.

 

thanks all german cars for your input. On another note, is there anyway to clear the 10 starts remaining that I can do? I bought an ICARsoftII and was wondering if I can figure out how to use it, perhaps a manual regen cycle might help? Thanks, E350cruiser

 

The only way to stop the count beside dealer is Vladimir's OBD plug sold on ebay

 

I have tried everything you can find on the internet to reset the 10 starts including leaving the battery disconnected for a week. Nothing worked. I don't know if the ICARsoftII can do it. I know the dealer can.