check engine light

Jan 15, 2012 | 05:18 PM

stove97s420

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Newbie

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1997 S420

check engine light

I bought a 1997 S420 with 109,000 miles on it, at the time I was serving overseas in Iraq and bought it when at home for 2 week leave. I have put tons of money into it because it is a great looking car inside and out....but as you know when something breaks it is a fortune in parts and labor. The check engine light has been on since I purchased the car and have had 4 different shops diagnose and try to fix it, codes P0410 and po432, with no luck. I just brought it to a new MB dealership here in Hyannis, Ma and found out that the heads need to be taken off and reworked, seems that they are clogged with carbon so bad that the secondary air pump cant do its job and allow emissions to flow into the exhaust system. Another MB dealership in Rhode Island said the same thing, I guess I didn't want to believe it because the car ran so well and had no smoke or throttle issues. The cost? Around $5,000.00. I paid too much for the car $10,500.00 and have put $5,000.00 into it, Its only worth $6,500-$7,000 at best. But, we love our MB's! So....if any one else out there is have trouble with the these codes more than likely you have the same problem. I have been told that it is caused by cheap gas and not running it on the highway once in awhile to clean it out, Thanks for listening.

Jan 16, 2012 | 12:31 PM

Ifari

Member

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 212

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2000 CL500 1992 300SE

Seeing as the car runs so well, maybe you can just try a less expensive option, like Marvel Mystery Oil or something similar.

Before you have the heads removed, buy a 1 litre can of Octane 104 boost and add it to your fuel tank. The less fuel - approx. 10 gallons - the better, for the mixture to work best.
Add the fuel after the 104 has been put in the tank. This 104 high octane booster is like a rocket fuel to your engine and will help to burn out the carbon and keep internals clean.

Marvel Mystery Oil added to the crankcase and or fuel, will also help eliminate carbon and keep engine seals fresh.

Do these steps and run your car on the highway for awhile. Drive a hundred miles, or so, initially and hopefully it will start to work and things will improve. Try the Octane 104 boost a time or two the way I suggested and run the Marvel Mystery Oil for 300 or so miles total, then change the oil and then do the E-test immediately with the fresh oil.

Don't use the Octane 104 too often, or it may pit the pistons. I think these steps may help you, without you having to spend a fortune.

Best regards

Last edited by Ifari; Jan 16, 2012 at 12:58 PM.

Jan 17, 2012 | 07:22 AM

oldsinner111

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Joined: Jun 2010

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From: tennessee

s320

I 'll add to that drive in a gear where rpms is high.3 to 4000.

Jan 31, 2012 | 08:48 AM

stove97s420

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1997 S420

Ifari,
Thanks for the tip and I will try it, I did try the Lucas bottles of clean out gunk but with no results. The 104 octane booster and marvel oil sounds like a plan and will do that today, have a trip to Rhode island to do so will let you know. Many Thanks! Stove,

Jan 31, 2012 | 12:40 PM

Ifari

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Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 212

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2000 CL500 1992 300SE

No problem.

I also like OldSinner's suggestion of using moderately high revs for brief spells.

Try an Italian tune-up when traffic allows it....pedal to the metal and let the octane boost and Marvel mystery Oil go to work blowing that carbon out of the engine. Hopefully lots of carbon and smoke will be blown out intially, but afterwards she should run smooth and clean.

Best regards.

Jan 31, 2012 | 01:26 PM

Ifari

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Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 212

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2000 CL500 1992 300SE

Codes: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...heck-list.html

P0410 = Secondary Air Injection System Malfunction
P0432 = Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)

Sounds like you may have a clogged catalytic convertor for P0432....the other P0410 code I really don't know.

I hope this helps.

Last edited by Ifari; Jan 31, 2012 at 01:28 PM.

Feb 7, 2012 | 04:00 PM

cool_lagoon

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 382

Likes: 4

From: LI, NY

(1960) 300d, S550 AMG S500 S600 560SEL

hahahaha just remembered in the olden caveman era, you can solve your tooth problem by watching the stars and trying to catch them on your palm. in gunning the engine is merely to release carbon from the in take and exhaust valve, that is if the carbon content is just slight, but for mid and heavy carbon sludge you need top overhaul to grind the valve and clean the valve seats. as for the code you really need to have the air injector check for function issue, another thing that will set on the check engine light are the harness deterioration, you can physically check it with your own eyes, no need for special tools.