Need New Intake Manifold, Safe to Drive?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2019
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W211 E350
Need New Intake Manifold, Safe to Drive?
Hey I am having the ever so common Intake Manifold runner problem with my W211. I have to travel for an emergency about 50 miles back and forth. I was wondering ,how safe would it be to drive with this faulty intake manifold? What is the worst that can happen ?
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Well nothing is ever completely safe. You will probably be ok for the 50 miles. Worse thing is that bits of the intake flaps break off and end up inside the engine causing engine damage. But if it just happened, it will probably be a while before that happens. Usually people just use the repair kits on ebay which is a short term fix and eventually the flaps get more gummed up and may break off. Usually it's the levers or rods the break and you can just use the repair kit to fix those issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Well the problem is that the flaps get gummed up with carbon over time. So the parts like the lever or rods end up breaking because the flaps are harder to move. You can replace those plastic parts with metal but they are still hard to move and eventually those flaps will get gummed up more and break off and fall into the engine which can cause damage. But people have used those repair kits on eBay and I guess you might be able to get away with it for a few years until damage happens. Probably boils down to whether you're going to keep it for the short term or long term. Long term I'd replace the manifold and you're probably good for another 100-150k.
