Diesel Limp Mode
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 477
Likes: 30
From: Maricopa, AZ
2012 S63, 2013 E350 Bluetec
Diesel Limp Mode
I recently purchased a 2013 E350 Bluetec with about 80,000 miles on it. There was an open recall on it at the time of purchase and my local dealer took care of that, along with some oil leaks. I also had the brake fluid flushed and the transmission fluid flushed and filter changed. After picking up the car, I started off on a road trip. The first day I didn't have any issues, but after driving 135 miles the next day, the check engine light came on and it went into limp mode (or the engine just shut off). The car would not restart. I had to have it towed to the closest dealership. Their service department was busy and they weren't able to look at it until the following morning. When they went to start it, it fired right up and they couldn't duplicate the problem. There were no codes stored, which is understand is possible with the diesel engines.
I picked up the car, paid for an hour's worth of diagnostics. The next day I drove about 400 miles and had no issues. Starting out the morning after and again the car went about 140 miles, the check engine light came on and I had to coast to the shoulder of the highway. I had the car towed to a local hotel where I'm staying, as I'm in a town without a MB dealer. I'm hoping the car starts in the morning.
The dealership that looked at it said they ran a quality of fuel test and a fuel pump pressure test and both passed. They thought that perhaps it may need a new fuel filter, which is a major job as it's located in the fuel tank. They quoted a price of $1,100.
Anyone else have this problem with the engine just shutting off and if so, what was the cure?
I picked up the car, paid for an hour's worth of diagnostics. The next day I drove about 400 miles and had no issues. Starting out the morning after and again the car went about 140 miles, the check engine light came on and I had to coast to the shoulder of the highway. I had the car towed to a local hotel where I'm staying, as I'm in a town without a MB dealer. I'm hoping the car starts in the morning.
The dealership that looked at it said they ran a quality of fuel test and a fuel pump pressure test and both passed. They thought that perhaps it may need a new fuel filter, which is a major job as it's located in the fuel tank. They quoted a price of $1,100.
Anyone else have this problem with the engine just shutting off and if so, what was the cure?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 739
Likes: 328
From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
Check in the diesel subforum see if this issue has come up before. There is a thread somewhere on replacing the in tank fuel filter cant remember if its this forum or the diesel one. Its really good with all info on doing it.
That being said there are two fuel filters. The one in the tank usually last a long time from what I have read, there is also one under the hood if its the same as my 2.1L and most every other diesel in the world. Have they changed that one recently? Usually if diesels start having issues the under hood filter is changed as its the cheapest easiest way to possibly fix a problem however they are suggesting doing that due to not having a clue as to what the problem is in your case and probably wanting to make a decent coin by suggesting doing the in tank one.
There are others that will chime in with much more knowledge on these cars then myself.
That being said there are two fuel filters. The one in the tank usually last a long time from what I have read, there is also one under the hood if its the same as my 2.1L and most every other diesel in the world. Have they changed that one recently? Usually if diesels start having issues the under hood filter is changed as its the cheapest easiest way to possibly fix a problem however they are suggesting doing that due to not having a clue as to what the problem is in your case and probably wanting to make a decent coin by suggesting doing the in tank one.
There are others that will chime in with much more knowledge on these cars then myself.
