Gittin 'er done. More to git!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Lake Oswego, Oregon
'13 G550, '77 FJ40, '18 F350, '87 Westy, '87 Wolfsburg, '17 GLE350, '08 GL550
Gittin 'er done. More to git!
Thanks to all the help from you folks on this site, I have been able to complete some major tasks. I basically completed the B3 service plus the spark plugs.
The next things to accomplish:
- Replacing the coils
- MAF sensor and throttle body cleaning
- PCV replacement
- Transmission service
- Oil filter housing and oil cooler reseal (as there was reportedly oil in the coolant reservoir)
- Replacing coolant reservoir and coolant flush, replacing thermostat
- Cam plug (leaking)
- Front pinion reseal (leaking)
- Transfer case reseal (leaking)
- Fuel pump and filter replacement
- Intake manifold inspection
Holy moly, that's a lot of stuff to do! I also have/had a leak in the Power Steering system, but I checked it and it's more like a slow seeping than a leak from the return line. The high pressure line and banjo bolt looked clean. I washed off all the old crusty oil, and will keep an eye on it. Should be better able to determine where the leak/seep is coming from.
The next things to accomplish:
- Replacing the coils
- MAF sensor and throttle body cleaning
- PCV replacement
- Transmission service
- Oil filter housing and oil cooler reseal (as there was reportedly oil in the coolant reservoir)
- Replacing coolant reservoir and coolant flush, replacing thermostat
- Cam plug (leaking)
- Front pinion reseal (leaking)
- Transfer case reseal (leaking)
- Fuel pump and filter replacement
- Intake manifold inspection
Holy moly, that's a lot of stuff to do! I also have/had a leak in the Power Steering system, but I checked it and it's more like a slow seeping than a leak from the return line. The high pressure line and banjo bolt looked clean. I washed off all the old crusty oil, and will keep an eye on it. Should be better able to determine where the leak/seep is coming from.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 12,032
Likes: 6,841
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
combination saves time
Thanks to all the help from you folks on this site, I have been able to complete some major tasks. I basically completed the B3 service plus the spark plugs.
The next things to accomplish:
- Replacing the coils
- MAF sensor and throttle body cleaning
- PCV replacement
- Transmission service
- Oil filter housing and oil cooler reseal (as there was reportedly oil in the coolant reservoir)
- Replacing coolant reservoir and coolant flush, replacing thermostat
- Cam plug (leaking)
- Front pinion reseal (leaking)
- Transfer case reseal (leaking)
- Fuel pump and filter replacement
- Intake manifold inspection
Holy moly, that's a lot of stuff to do! I also have/had a leak in the Power Steering system, but I checked it and it's more like a slow seeping than a leak from the return line. The high pressure line and banjo bolt looked clean. I washed off all the old crusty oil, and will keep an eye on it. Should be better able to determine where the leak/seep is coming from.
The next things to accomplish:
- Replacing the coils
- MAF sensor and throttle body cleaning
- PCV replacement
- Transmission service
- Oil filter housing and oil cooler reseal (as there was reportedly oil in the coolant reservoir)
- Replacing coolant reservoir and coolant flush, replacing thermostat
- Cam plug (leaking)
- Front pinion reseal (leaking)
- Transfer case reseal (leaking)
- Fuel pump and filter replacement
- Intake manifold inspection
Holy moly, that's a lot of stuff to do! I also have/had a leak in the Power Steering system, but I checked it and it's more like a slow seeping than a leak from the return line. The high pressure line and banjo bolt looked clean. I washed off all the old crusty oil, and will keep an eye on it. Should be better able to determine where the leak/seep is coming from.
PCV + Conduit
HPFP + Roller
Coolant firewall elbow
One thing missing that can explain power steering pressure surges is... serpentine tensioner kit. When the belt tension is uneven steering pump pressure may surge as a result.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Lake Oswego, Oregon
'13 G550, '77 FJ40, '18 F350, '87 Westy, '87 Wolfsburg, '17 GLE350, '08 GL550
you have your comprehensive maintenance figured out - Now group items to save your time. Case in point engine rear access:
PCV + Conduit
HPFP + Roller
Coolant firewall elbow
One thing missing that can explain power steering pressure surges is... serpentine tensioner kit. When the belt tension is uneven steering pump pressure may surge as a result.
PCV + Conduit
HPFP + Roller
Coolant firewall elbow
One thing missing that can explain power steering pressure surges is... serpentine tensioner kit. When the belt tension is uneven steering pump pressure may surge as a result.
The serpentine belt was replaced 10k mi ago. I haven't had surging PS issues. Actually haven't experienced any PS issues. The PS fluid was pretty low though so since the last service at the Indy Mech, it lost a good amount of fluid. I'll keep checking it and refilling as necessary. Hopefully will be able to identify where the leak/seep is coming from.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 12,032
Likes: 6,841
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
grouped maintenance items
HPFP is High Pressure Fuel Pump?
The serpentine belt was replaced 10k mi ago. I haven't had surging PS issues. Actually haven't experienced any PS issues. The PS fluid was pretty low though so since the last service at the Indy Mech, it lost a good amount of fluid. I'll keep checking it and refilling as necessary. Hopefully will be able to identify where the leak/seep is coming from.
The serpentine belt was replaced 10k mi ago. I haven't had surging PS issues. Actually haven't experienced any PS issues. The PS fluid was pretty low though so since the last service at the Indy Mech, it lost a good amount of fluid. I'll keep checking it and refilling as necessary. Hopefully will be able to identify where the leak/seep is coming from.
The belt must be replaced with its tensioner. Don't run a new belt on an old tensioner or it won't be kept properly tensioned.... hence light surges of accessoires under load.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 29, 2026 at 10:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Lake Oswego, Oregon
'13 G550, '77 FJ40, '18 F350, '87 Westy, '87 Wolfsburg, '17 GLE350, '08 GL550
Yes, the HPFP is in the way of PCV - They both go bad near 100kMi (+/- 20kMi) on the same schedule.
The belt must be replaced with its tensioner. Don't run a new belt on an old tensioner or it won't be kept properly tensioned.... hence light surges of accessoires under load.
The belt must be replaced with its tensioner. Don't run a new belt on an old tensioner or it won't be kept properly tensioned.... hence light surges of accessoires under load.
I'll look into replacing the HPFP. Thanks Cali!
Newbie
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
2002 230K
holy moly thanks for posting your list maybe my 2002 Kompressor needs the same attention. Don't want to offend the local mechanic but any one of your points could be a fault leading to my breakdowns (different from rodents eating wiring). Aside from wind driven sand each Spring the pine trees coat everything with green pollen thinking maybe somehow contaminated fuel injectors?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 12,032
Likes: 6,841
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
focus on details
holy moly thanks for posting your list maybe my 2002 Kompressor needs the same attention. Don't want to offend the local mechanic but any one of your points could be a fault leading to my breakdowns (different from rodents eating wiring).
Aside from wind driven sand each Spring the pine trees coat everything with green pollen thinking maybe somehow contaminated fuel injectors?
Aside from wind driven sand each Spring the pine trees coat everything with green pollen thinking maybe somehow contaminated fuel injectors?
then you can guess from a short list
all the way to pin pointing your fix.
I don't think contaminants have a chance to clog anything passed your tank fuel filter.
You may check your fuel pressure at some point... Pass/Fail ?
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Yesterday at 11:23 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
2002 230K
Thanks I need to figure out a gracious way to make suggestions to mechanic. fyi 'old lady' here sorta why I don't want to give up my girl. Rented a car and damn doesn't even have a key!
And at my age still can't adapt to an automatic transmission. Upside the rental doesn't talk to me like some cars. And with my car I can still play Woodstock and Richie Havens cassette tapes. 24 years she never gave me any trouble even when Mercedes dealer service dropped her off the lift when she was a toddler. Anyone reading if there is an MB god or goddess can y'll burn some incense of make an offering (not livestock) that she's healed...
And at my age still can't adapt to an automatic transmission. Upside the rental doesn't talk to me like some cars. And with my car I can still play Woodstock and Richie Havens cassette tapes. 24 years she never gave me any trouble even when Mercedes dealer service dropped her off the lift when she was a toddler. Anyone reading if there is an MB god or goddess can y'll burn some incense of make an offering (not livestock) that she's healed...
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