AshevilleRon

oddly my very question was asked and answered that this will NOT reset the No Restarts remaining...so I remain in limbo.

C300fan2

well I purchased it and used it and was able to clear all codes and reset the counter.

t_dickie

I'm not saying it won't as I have no experience with this scanner.

But I can tell you the Snap-On scanner the mechanic across the street from my work has will not reset the counter. When I talked to the dealership in Winnipeg they said the AdBlue system is proprietary and therefore only the Star software can reset it. Like I say, the big money scan tools won't reset it. It'll recognize it, but won't reset it.

C300fan2

this is a MB specific scanner that can read and clear codes the snap on can’t. I can tell you from experience I have used it to clear the Adblue countdown multiple times. I’m not going to argue with you good luck.

bugelrex

What happens if you just indefinitely clear the count-down code? .. and I guess stop putting ad-blue... at some point something is going to break?

C300fan2

Not sure. I had a false malfunction so when I cleared the codes and reset to counter my problem went away. If you don’t fix the underlying problem the counter will just keep coming back. At least you can drive the car, buys you some time, and you can fix it yourself or somewhere other than Mercedes. I had a fuel issue after changing the fuel filter that caused the car to give off emission related codes that started the countdown. Calling around I was getting quotes up to 2000$ on the phone because they were sure they knew the problem over the phone. Shops were sure it was my NOX sensors when it had nothing to do with that. The MB tool posted earlier helped me determine the cause and clear everything.

RonSwanson

My girlfriend recently purchased a used 2014 glk 250. Some things to point out that differ from many of the other glk 250's on this thread is that it has 88,000 miles on it. So it seems that if there was an 8 year or 80,000 mile warranty, we don't qualify. Also, the vehicle spent half of its life in Germany before coming over to the US. I'm not sure if that has major effects on software or anything else.

Anyways, a day after bringing the car home from the dealership the check engine light came on. We ran the OBD2 code and found it was a dirty dpf filter, and it seemed to just need a regeneration. We wanted a mechanic to look at it regardless, so we took it to our local Mercedes-Benz dealer and he ran a full diagnostic. He found no major problems, said he recommended replacing the dpf filters, but the regeneration would fix the problem. The check engine light turned off for a day, then the Adblue 10 start warning came on. First, we made sure the Adblue was full, Then we ran the OBD2 scanner again and it told us we had a faulty NOx scanner. We decided to go to another mechanic specializing in European cars, they assured us they had just fixed a Mercedes with this problem the week before. First they said it would be a couple hundred, a week later they said $800. For the next week they dodge our calls or tell us they'll call us back in 15 minutes, never to hear from them. Yesterday we call and they tell us the sensor is installed, but they cant figure out how to get the car to accept it. Then today they say its actually the whole exhaust that needs to be replaced for $5000 more.

After reading this thread I'm assuming, praying, it's the software program. Would the car being purchased in Germany have any affect on this? My plan is to call Mercedes-Benz customer service in the morning. Then hopefully tow the car back to our Mercedes-benz dealership and have them run the software update. Would anyone know or have an educated guess on how much this would cost? Would it be wiser to try Vladimir CDI's emulator first for $600? Is that proven yet? I see recommendations but no confirmations. Lastly, do we need to worry about possibly having to replace the entire exhaust? I assume the MB mechanic would have caught that in the full diagnostic if it was bad, or even the second mechanics would have noticed that before or as they replaced the NOx sensor. I'm assuming they don't have access to the software updates so their solution is to just replace the whole thing.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. I feel awful, she wanted to play it safe and buy a cheaper new car like a Kia. I convinced her to buy used so she could get the car she was inlove with instead. She's sick to her stomach thinking she might have to put in another $6000 after only a week of driving it.

*Car had 15 day implied warranty, dealer sent $300 after first check engine light. No contact since.

formerjeepguy

Replacing the entire exhaust system is ridiculous unless they damaged the fitting for the NOX sensor and still it would not require replacing the entire exhaust system. They are in over their heads and won't admit it. Your best bet is taking it to the mercdes dealer unless you know of a better mercedes specialist with a solid diesel reputation.
My guess is that they have a bad or incorrect NOX sensor.

Even if the DPF is bad, they can be replaced or cleaned. It is now a common business to clean the DPFs used in the larger trucks and cleaning yours follows the same process. Even replacing the DPF with new should not be much more than a couple thousand.

I'm sorry this happened to you. Good luck.

andreigbs

Don't lose heart and definitely DON'T part with more of your money on clueless mechanics. Your GLK is fine but its exhaust aftertreatment system is super picky. I fully recommend a tuning option with one of several great companies. It will take care of your AdBlue woes as well as DPF "errors" in the future. If you're interested, I can provide more details.

On the current front: it sounds like the mechanic who replaced the NOx sensor doesn't have the appropriate scan tool required to make the car recognize and accept the new sensor. We call this "adaptation" and it's required for many electronic components to talk correctly with the car's ECU. MB-specific professional scan tools are several thousand dollars and not all European specialist shops invest in all specific scanners. It may take a couple of days and some driving around for the communication between the ECU and sensor(s) to provide the correct information, after which the exhaust system electronics will run through its scans and completes DPF regeneration. To help with this, you will need to get it out on the highway and get it nice and hot. I would also run a couple cans of LiquiMoly's DPF cleaner (found here) mixed with fresh diesel through the fuel system. It has worked for others, it may also work for you. I also suggest you invest in a MB specific OBD scan tool that can run forced regens if needed.

Our GLK250 is pushing past 122K miles running tuned software and no issues with the exhaust system, there's no reason yours couldn't do the same.

RonSwanson

Thank you both for your replies. Andreigbs, when you say tuning options, thats just the AdBlue and dpf delete correct? I think that's our best option right now. Any recommendations or help would be appreciated. I've tried researching it myself, but with most glk250 being under warranty still it was more talk and less people doing it.

I was in contact with VladimirCDI who seems to have a good track record. He said he could send us an AdBlue delete for $589 and a dpf delete for $89. Then I was going to order the new exhaust delete from rawtekinc for $650. After that I was just going to take it to a local tune up shop and ask them to replace it. Will most places be able to do this, or are there legal issues I'd have to deal with.

VladimirCDI: https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-ca...-/252485713121
Rawtekinc: https://www.rawtekinc.com/collection...scr-def-delete

Would this work, or would I be better sending it off to someone?

andreigbs

Yes, tuning options that tell the ECU to forget about SCR/AdBlue, it turns off the EGR which means cleaner air going into the engine and better (cleaner, more complete) combustion of the diesel. In turn, this means less particulates to go through the DPF and as a bonus, your engine oil will stay cleaner, longer. Oh, it also turns up the boost and fueling a smidge, so instead of 201hp you'll be making closer to 240, and instead of 369 ft-lbs you'll be closer to 430. It will make quite the difference. This is the first and most important stage: good software.

The next stage you can do if/whenever you want: the hardware. The Rawtek kit is good, I've only heard good things about them. Just know that you don't have to do it and it is quite....permanent. A proper tune will make your engine burn much cleaner and actually reduces the junk coming out of your exhaust, possibly even prolonging the life of the DPF. All I can say is I've been running tuned with all hardware intact for almost a year and have noticed no increases in DPF pressure differentials (before and after the DPF, measured via OBD) or anything else detrimental.

Now for the best part: you can order the flash loader to your home and tune the GLK in your garage. The company I chose (@OETuning) has a great reputation and oftentimes runs discount specials (I think right now they've got a 20% special, they may add on top of that for MBWorld forum members). Here is the (linky) and I would give them a call to confirm what you're getting. They're also great at responding to emails and that's actually how you'll do most of the process. The tune is $595 and the loader is $250, so you're looking at $845 minus the 20% discount, so right around $675 give or take. Trust me, it's worth it. Once you get it done, you can take your time and think about the hardware aspect.

(Just as full disclosure: I'm not affiliated with @OETuning in any way, just a satisfied customer.)

mysterysi

Do you still need to fill def after the tune? Or does it still have regen cycle?

Simon

andreigbs

The AdBlue delete option simply turns off that function. It won't use any more DEF, so no need to refill. The regenerations of the DPF (both passive and active) still continue as needed, but perhaps at a lower frequency. The pre- and post-DPF pressure sensors measure the flow difference across the DPF and that tells the ECU when to run a regen. Passive regens happen all the time when the engine is running nice and hot. Active regens run only when needed and dump extra fuel post-injection cycle to heat up the DPF and burn off accumulated soot. The AdBlue side is not at all involved in regens, it is only used to further clean up post-DPF exhaust downstream.

Point is you don't HAVE TO turn off AdBlue, it's an option. The tune will largely take care of your overactive exhaust aftertreatment. I would simply add the AdBlue delete option to the tune, to prevent anything else from breaking. In my case, that was the AdBlue tank heater. A new heater only comes with a new AdBlue tank, which would be a couple grand. Alternatively, you could buy an aftermarket heater and jerry-rig it yourself but that still costs over $600 last time I looked. In my case, for about that money I got a tune to delete my worries AND also got some extra power. Another bonus is it bumped up my fuel mileage just a bit when I drive like a sane person

mysterysi

Wow. Thank you for your quick response.

So with the tune and loader, we can turn in and off option? Is this something that can be done at home? Or I will need to mail the ecu elsewhere. I am totally new to that.

andreigbs

Yes, with the flash load tool they send you the ECU can be read from and written to, in your garage.

First you’ll read the current file (original software) that you’ll send to the tuner. In a day or so they email you back the tuned file. You’ll add this file to the flash load tool and then go connect to your OBD port again to write it to the ECU. Once it’s done your vehicle is tuned and ready to rock. You can always rewrite the original software back to the ECU if you want to, and you’ll always have access to both your tuned file and the original. The flash load tool is locked to your VIN.

If you don’t feel comfortable writing/rewriting the ECU yourself, you can always take it out from under the hood and mail it off for the tuner to do it. I prefer to have the tool myself. They’ve been great about support if I need it, and so far the GLK is running awesomely.

RonSwanson

Just wanted to give an update and say thank you to everyone who responded on this forum. We ended up getting the tune up from OEtuning and the DEF delete. After three mechanics and over a month of headaches, this kit arrived in just a couple days. It was very easy to do yourself and the car is running great after about a week. OEtuning has been great, we communicated with them over email and they always replied back right away and were very helpful. They also gave a great discount for being a mbworld forum member.

If you are having Adblue problems I would definitely recommend just getting the tune up and delete. All three mechanics (one Mercedes dealership and one independent Mercedes mechanic and the other specialized in European cars) had different solutions. One problem we did have that I didn't see solved this way was that we had used up our adblue starts and could not get the car started. One mechanic could not figure it out, but the third one looked at the car and said that the DEF fluid was off just enough to throw the sensors off. A week before, when the adblue countdown started I did go and buy DEF fluid and fill it up. I went into auto zone and asked for adblue fluid and they said they didn't have any but to just use the generic auto zone DEF fluid and its all the same stuff. So all the mechanic did was change the DEF fluid for Adblue fluid and the countdown went away and the check engine light turned off and all our problems were solved. Then the countdown came back two days later and we did the tune and haven't looked back. I have no idea if the generic DEF fluid threw off the sensors and maybe caused all our problems, but it did get the restart to go away when the other mechanic could not figure it out.

andreigbs

The AdBlue/SCR system on Mercs, Audi/VWs, BMWs and others will gladly accept regular DEF fluid you find at AutoZone, NAPA, O'Reilly or even Wal-Mart, Fleet Farm and so on. As long as the DEF fluid meets the required ISO spec, you're good to go and don't need to waste money on name-brand stuff. My advice would be to always fill it up to the top, not just enough to get the "low fluid" warning to go away. The GLK takes a little over 7 gallons of the stuff and should last through a full 10k mile oil change interval.

The weak links in the SCR system are all the various sensors and the in-tank heater assembly. Sensors are crazy expensive and the heater requires tank removal/reassembly which is a royal PITA as well as expensive. Opting for a tune to delete these systems is the cheapest option for the long-term and I'm glad others are catching on. I would advise, however, that you don't broadcast your solution too loudly because there are plenty of ecomentalists that could create trouble, even here in these forums possibly. Many tuner shops are being fined and shut down over "illegal" software, so play your cards close to your chest.

Otherwise, enjoy the newfound power! It really wakes up the GLK.

I_Hate_Cheaters

Most of these problems are related to Mercedes and Bosch causing it to begin with.

Mercedes and Bosch are going to lose more the a few billion dollars. They are going to lose their reputation, customer trust and confidence in their product and services.

The following public information is going to help my fellow MB owners.

Mercedes is obligated to modify/fix majority of the BlueTec cars and vans plus 5 years of warranty after the fix.

Here is the link for the settlement information:

Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC Clean Air Act Civil Settlement | Enforcement | US EPA

Here is the link for class action settlement:

$700 Million Mercedes Diesel Emissions Class-Action Settlement Details Announced | Hagens Berman (hbsslaw.com)

Here is the link for DOJ for the clean air ACT lawsuit:

The U.S. Reaches $1.5 Billion Settlement with Daimler AG Over Emissions Cheating in Mercedes-Benz Diesel Vehicles (justice.gov)

Here is the link for a website that is not populated yet as of 12/12/2020 by Mercedes for providing information and instruction:

https://www.mbbluetecsettlement.com

C300fan2

So this is in the USA, here in Canada everything is 5 years behind. I wont hold my breath for Mercedes to do anything here.

chosipian

Lawsuit against Mercedes results in free diesel updates, extended warranty and cash for owners