Turbo troubles
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
'98 E320 and '08 GL320
Turbo troubles
My 2008 GL320 has 122k miles on it. Over the past year, I have slogged through a fair bit of engine work. Last spring oil leaking from the intake at the turbo got on the flap motors, causing a failure, and an expensive repair (at the dealer). A couple of months later, I got a code 2510-1 indicating issues with the turbo actuator, so I replaced that (myself). More recently (last 3 months or so), I have been getting intermittent stuttering in the turbo, or limp mode entirely, generally without CEL or any code. I finally drove for a bout 30 minutes in limp on the highway and got a code 2359-2--charge pressure is too high. So follow up research indicates this could be due to my (new) turbo actuator or to carbon in the turbo vanes, but the number 1 suggestion is that when I replaced the turbo actuator there was a calibration that needed to happen. My scan tool is not so sophisticated as to be able to perform this task. Any suggestions (other than the obvious--take it to the dealer)?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 782
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
Take it to an Indy or rent a remote setup from benzninja.
this is not a car to have without some kind of bidirectional scan tool that speaks Mercedes, due to the volatile nature of errors in this diesel power plant - some LH events throw no codes and have to be sussed out using live data.
this is not a car to have without some kind of bidirectional scan tool that speaks Mercedes, due to the volatile nature of errors in this diesel power plant - some LH events throw no codes and have to be sussed out using live data.
Last edited by Max Blast; Jan 23, 2026 at 04:29 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 410
Likes: 122
From: Kelowna, BC
08 GL320 CDI
First thing I did on my 320 when it started going into limp mode as well, I cleaned the EGR. Didn't take long to remove, it was full of carbon, put it back in and been working for almost 7 years now.
I'd start there.
I'd start there.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
'98 E320 and '08 GL320
The EGR was replaced last spring with the other expensive engine work. There are a lot of sensors and valves that can result in the symptoms I am seeing that won't throw a CE light, and the EGR is one of them. From what I have researched, the code I am seeing relating to the boost being too high suggests that either the turbo actuator is not moving properly (could be, but this was just replaced ~2000 miles ago), or that the vanes in the turbo are gummed up with carbon and are sticking intermittently. But the fact that I replaced the actuator without the "recalibration" of the system to the new actuator might be the first thing to address. Was wondering if someone could concur, and if there were any recommendations for scanner options what would do the job, as my Autel won't.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
'98 E320 and '08 GL320
So I took a video of the motion of the actuator arm of the turbo control module. Seems to move rather jerkily to my eye, so I suspected that the vanes must be sticky, but the actuator moves the same way with the turbo linkage disconnected. The linkage to the vanes moves so easily by hand that I question whether anything is attached... MBworld won't let me upload the video--can anyone validate my observation that the turbo actuator moves with a jerk normally?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 410
Likes: 122
From: Kelowna, BC
08 GL320 CDI
Maybe the actuator is faulty?
edit
GOOGLE:
"If the actuator acts in a jerky or intermittent manner, it indicates a malfunction, such as a sticking VGT linkage, worn internal gears, or a faulty motor. "
edit
GOOGLE:
"If the actuator acts in a jerky or intermittent manner, it indicates a malfunction, such as a sticking VGT linkage, worn internal gears, or a faulty motor. "
Last edited by Sallad; Jan 27, 2026 at 07:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
'98 E320 and '08 GL320
Could be...I watched a bunch of Youtube videos showing the motion of these actuators and I guess mine isn't acting particularly abnormal. Just seems weird that they move smooth and steady, and then suddenly with a snap. One thing I haven't seen in any of the videos is any confirmation that programming/calibration is needed after installing a new actuator.
