my e500 failed emissions today,
I purchased this car in Atlanta it had a california title so im assuming it came from CA. What to do?
The emissions guy said to bring it back for a free test after 70 miles
and to look for a check engin light. No light!

 

Could be a couple of things but I'd start with the MAF sensor.

Bosch MAF sensor for the E500

 

Silly question but I'll ask it anyway - the car runs fine, right? - I'd go to another emmissions center to have it checked - I find that almost impossible to believe particularly since CA emmisions requirements are the most stringent in the US and of course your car meets (or met) them - I also would go to a dealer right away - as I'm sure the emissions system is warranted even if the oem warranty is already expired.

Frankly, something is amiss here and I doubt it's the car - as it would certainly be running poorly if something were seriously off on the emissions side - OH - I just noticed it was an AMG - do you think possibly someone along the line removed everything? Best move to Montana or ID they don't require testing if that's the case - but I'd still get to the dealer and have them get a good look at it - best of luck to you -

Steve

 

I agree doesn't sound like the car. Perhaps inspection station put in wrong/incorrect vehicle info. I lived in calif a while tight emissions. Take it elsewhere.

 

The car is not an AMG, it has an AMG body package. You can certainly try another testing station but if it fails, I would change the MAF sensor. They have degrees of failure and it may not be exhibiting acute symptoms. If the MAF is going bad, it can increase fuel richness, when can increase emissions.

But sure, try another station first.

 

But I would think that the cat would compensate for that. The emissions would have to be VERY high to fail (compared to normal for an MB)

 

Certainly a proper hypothesis......

OP never mentioned mods...or lack of mods. I wonder.

 

Sometimes it's a fluke thing. However, if it fails repeatedly it is a problem.

 

For what it is worth, I bought a 2003 E320 off a 39 month lease from an indie dealer in Atlanta. They had some kind of warranty service done on it while in their care. They asked me to wait for emissions check until I logged 70 miles. Apparently when the battery is disconnected, it takes some time for a reset of the emissions control. If you just purchased the car, perhaps it will self correct. If you have had it for a while, I am out of ideas.

 

A couple of years ago, I had the same problem. I had reset the ecu and went for inspection a couple of days later, and the car failed. I drove for 70-80 miles went back the same day and it passed fine. Nonetheless, if the ecu had been reset the the emissions computer will not be able to collect data from a couple of the sensors of the car, therefore, it will fail the inspection. If the dealer had reset the ecu, then it will fail. Drive it for 70 miles and try a different shop.

 

Before jumping to conclusions, did they print out any codes for you? If it failed emissions, most likely there was a stored code. If they didn't print anything out, go to Autozone and have them read and print the code for you and then go from there. No point in guessing this and that until you get some more information.

 

Find out which perameter failed and have your dealer take appropriate actions. Its likely that with the extended emmissions warranty on major components that it will be covered if its anything thats very expensive. If that is not the case the cost to you will be negligable.

 

You are correct. When the ECU goes brain dead it must relearn the system. Before I took my car to the Calif emissions station I drove on the freeway at highway speeds for about 20 minutes prior to insure all was Normal. But given the battery was disconnected you should probably drive 100 miles to be sure. Then try a different station. One thought if the car is badged AMG but is not there may be a different emission program for the AMG and this might throw off the test. You should point out it is a E320 and NOT AMG. 6 cyl vs turbo V8 is quite a difference.

 

It would be better to aim for the warranty of the car because engine light may cause a bigger problem.

 

Thanks for all the input,
I will drive the car 100 miles then re-test at a differant location.
No codes detected after scan.
Is there a way to check if the car had codes that were cleared and now must be re-set?
The car runs smooth with no obvious problems.
The Vehicle Inspection report states
Overall OBD result=fail
Readiness result=fail
evaporator system=not ready
catalyst=not ready
all others = pass

 

The catalyst may just have not been hot enough or burned clean after connecting the battery. If the cat is bad and it is an 05 there may still be an emissions warranty. I would check MB before buying a new cat.