Paulcomi

1999 E320 6 cylinder gas engine and I’m getting these codes.

Symptoms: check engine light, periodic fast flashing low fuel light (car has half a tank of gas). Occasionally the car misfires but will stop when turned off and restarted.

I’ve replaced the the gas cap and I’m preparing to replace the fuel filter. Since the car is so old I’m hoping these are common things you guys have seen so I can fix myself. I have done digging online and in boards and what’s coming up is evap system leak, mass air flow sensor, and I forget the name but basically it’s a crankcase or intake manifold valve.

Ideas?

fabbrisd1

Fuel System - Gas cap replace/good - $40-$50 fuel filter Bosch/Mann/MB ONLY and NOT a cheapy retail auto parts store no-name/quasi brand filter - you'll probably need a few replacement hose clamps for the trickster MB hose clamps - dump 1/2 $9 bottle Stabil Marine Fuel Stabilizer (blue bottle) in the tank.

Air Filter - $143 Mann/Hengst/MB preferred - and NOT a weird cheapie

Spark Plugs - at your mileage pull a plug/any-plug - and check condition - if plugs are shot start there - replace with Bosch 7422 - check for DIY instructions for a afternoon's work with the "right" tools

MAF - you can pull/clean your's for now with 1/4 can of MAF. Makes no sense to replace MAF until you get fresh plugs in. When replacing MAF genuine Bosch ONLY from reputable seller about $150

Motor Mounts - premature failure of motor mounts can cause misfires - check mounts - replace with Febi/Meyle/Lemfoerder for like $100 for both left/right - and NOT the cheapies

Paulcomi

Thanks for the ideas.

ygmn

did you google the codes?
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0105_mercedes-benz.html
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0173_mercedes-benz.html
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0300_mercedes-benz.html
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0301_mercedes-benz.html
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0400_mercedes-benz.html

P0301, P0302, P0304 & P0306 = Misfires on cylinders 1, 2, 4, & 6 & Random

Exhaust gas recir issue
MAP Issue
Fuel trim bank 2

With 2,4 & 6 issues maybe bad intake gasket or something on that side?

then
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0455_mercedes-benz.html
evap leak which is minor compared to above.

read them links find common problem...

Paulcomi

I had already bought a micro guard brand fuel filter for the car but I haven’t put it in yet I was getting ready to do that right now. Is that a dealbreaker?

Plutoe

No---they are sales folks trying to sell you their products----forget it buy what you want

Paulcomi

The code reader that I have for my other Mercedes will not work on this car it’s an ICarsoft i980. Can someone tell me what code reader I can get for this car that will read and clear these codes as I troubleshoot this because I got the code to read at my local O’Reilly‘s and their code reader cannot clear codes

fabbrisd1

Return your Mastercr*p fuel filter - for your W210 the fuel filter also has a fuel pressure and anti-backflush function and your cheapie will leave you stranded... yes it's $40-$50 for the right fuel filter.

Yes - the majority are misfire codes - but please consider going thru what I laid out 1st - which brings systems back up to snuff 1st..

The correct air filter is $14 (not $143) - so you're over $100 lower than budget today.

The iI980 specs specifically mentioned not compatible for W210 .

For the codes you have any "generic" scanner will do - heck buy one at any retial store that is close to you that has a 30-day return privilege - there is no Magic Scanner out there for this type of work with a W210

Wess

I had the same symptoms, ended up being a plugged catalytic converter.

Paulcomi

I discovered a vacuum line at the pcv (I believe) which is at the rear of the engine compartment that had come loose. The short section of vacuum tubing has been replaced in the past and one end had to be pushed back into the rubber connection st the firewall.l

Paulcomi

I would if if I didn’t already install it...

Paulcomi

Bosch plugs and wire pull tool on order

Paulcomi

Well I’m waiting for my spark plugs to arrive and in the meantime I cleared my codes started my car and even though I have sprayed out my Mass Airflow Sensor and replaced the fuel filter the car now has a check engine light again after clearing it and P0105 and P0400. I checked vacuum lines and they’re all connected and don’t aooear to have any cracks.

ygmn

could be plugged cats.

Paulcomi

Making some major progress. Yesterday I installed a map sensor cleared my codes and after driving it today my check engine light came on but I only have one code. P0400. Any tips on how to resolve this one?

khomer2

EGR valve. Either needs to be cleaned out or replaced.

fabbrisd1

PO400 is a "minor code" - I'd 1st dose the tank with 1/2 bottle of Stabil - clear the code as it might come back the next 2-3 tanks - "might" clear up.. if it doesn't review the threads on how to progress one-step-at-a-time

Paulcomi

The EGR tube was almost filled with oily soot. Also just to the side of the egr I discovered my independent mechanic had sometime in the past glued a inlet that broke. The glue has since given way.

khomer2

Wow. since when does a mechanic use glue under the hood? If life were that simple. Perhaps glue on a plastic part, maybe as a DIYer.... but not an indie....
Ive read more forum posts this last week from others members about "mechanics' (lazy ones or $$$ snake oil salesmans) giving or doing things so out of wack.

Paulcomi

Need to find out what this inlet is. The connector for the hose to intake manifold was old and broken and a mechanic jerryrigged it together by gluing it.