I got one from eBay approximately 10 months ago. Hasn't failed yet. No codes either. Those are rebuilt original Pierburg manifolds. You can buy a new Pierburg for ~$650.
The first rebuilt manifold I ordered from eBay came broken. Had to return it and ordered from another seller. I paid $295+tax.
Thanks mate, but I'm not interested in a used manifold.
I've no direct need for this car and has parked it for two years as I worked on my engineering projects for clients. Been tremendously busy though I'm retired!
Interesting thing is I removed the flaps from mine and have driven it a few days now. I do get a CEL as I've invariably broken the plastic vacuum control valve tube when I installed the manifold after the mod. Ordered a new one and will collect tomorrow morning.
Also have a slight misfire at idling which I traced and cured to a dirty injector. Some good injector cleaner solved that issue.
Now I am considering engineering a replacement set of flaps using a solid metal actuator bar inside the manifold and water-jetting new metal flaps. (Considering inconel but I might opt for brass or aluminium.) I want to see if it is possible to use the car without flaps first as I've removed many from BMW manifolds in the past with no setbacks or gremlins afterwards.
What I found particularly surprising is that the engine response at present has not been diminished in any way, on the contrary. The car is actually terrific and engine response under acceleration is really awesome! (Who cares about a little increased fuel consumption and smog anyways, right?)
The other thing I'm looking into is working on the flaps by removing the manifold top cover without removing the the entire manifold. This is doable in my opinion and I am about to start with the thing in a few minutes.
It's been an interesting ride fiddling with this manifold thus far. I think it's eventually going to end with an engine that breathes and combusts better when I'm done.
Thanks mate, but I'm not interested in a used manifold.
I've no direct need for this car and has parked it for two years as I worked on my engineering projects for clients. Been tremendously busy though I'm retired!
Interesting thing is I removed the flaps from mine and have driven it a few days now. I do get a CEL as I've invariably broken the plastic vacuum control valve tube when I installed the manifold after the mod. Ordered a new one and will collect tomorrow morning.
Also have a slight misfire at idling which I traced and cured to a dirty injector. Some good injector cleaner solved that issue.
Now I am considering engineering a replacement set of flaps using a solid metal actuator bar inside the manifold and water-jetting new metal flaps. (Considering inconel but I might opt for brass or aluminium.) I want to see if it is possible to use the car without flaps first as I've removed many from BMW manifolds in the past with no setbacks or gremlins afterwards.
What I found particularly surprising is that the engine response at present has not been diminished in any way, on the contrary. The car is actually terrific and engine response under acceleration is really awesome! (Who cares about a little increased fuel consumption and smog anyways, right?)
The other thing I'm looking into is working on the flaps by removing the manifold top cover without removing the the entire manifold. This is doable in my opinion and I am about to start with the thing in a few minutes.
It's been an interesting ride fiddling with this manifold thus far. I think it's eventually going to end with an engine that breathes and combusts better when I'm done.
So why replace when there are other solutions?
Regards
Following this closely....I too am interested in modifying or altering the swirl flap assembly before the inevitable happens.
And PS, I love your willingness to out tear into the car and try something new. It’s amazing how much you can learn with some tinkering.
As a metallurgic engineer I spent a lifetime finding solutions. When I eventually got rid of my engineering concern and two workshops I spent many years working on automotive solutions, so I learnt a lot. Also as a keen racer, I've learnt there's only one way to explore engine mods and tuning possibilities and that is by making huge changes. Minor changes are meaningless.
As I stated before in this thread I've assisted this mod on many BMW's over the last 20 years, but this is the first Mercedes I've done. Frankly, there is no difference. In both cases the design is crappy and I'd never build something like this for a client in the first place.
But then we have always had the approach to make things work in the engineering side, by thinking outside the box.
Remarkable what one can achieve if you decide not to play by the rules.
As a metallurgic engineer I spent a lifetime finding solutions. When I eventually got rid of my engineering concern and two workshops I spent many years working on automotive solutions, so I learnt a lot. Also as a keen racer, I've learnt there's only one way to explore engine mods and tuning possibilities and that is by making huge changes. Minor changes are meaningless.
As I stated before in this thread I've assisted this mod on many BMW's over the last 20 years, but this is the first Mercedes I've done. Frankly, there is no difference. In both cases the design is crappy and I'd never build something like this for a client in the first place.
But then we have always had the approach to make things work in the engineering side, by thinking outside the box.
Remarkable what one can achieve if you decide not to play by the rules.
I will keep contributing to this as I progress
Have a lovely day!
Love this man. Truly understanding the way every system is communicating and functioning really brings a different element of joy to ownership. Mercedes are extremely complicated in their own way, but just like an old Harley....it’s still suck, bang, blow w/ a few small details in between. Did you say you were located in Texas?
Love this man. Truly understanding the way every system is communicating and functioning really brings a different element of joy to ownership. Mercedes are extremely complicated in their own way, but just like an old Harley....it’s still suck, bang, blow w/ a few small details in between. Did you say you were located in Texas?
Hi.
Nope, believe it or not, I am in Cape Town, South Africa.....
The flaps move your torque and horsepower curve for different RPM's and I can certainly feel the loss of torque down low when the flaps are not working. I'm not sure why you are messing with the flaps, 99% of the time it's the plastic actuator arm that breaks and can be easily replaced with an aftermarket repair kit.
The flaps move your torque and horsepower curve for different RPM's and I can certainly feel the loss of torque down low when the flaps are not working. I'm not sure why you are messing with the flaps, 99% of the time it's the plastic actuator arm that breaks and can be easily replaced with an aftermarket repair kit.
If you care to read my post you'll notice that I am not MESSING with the flaps. In this case the flaps and shaft actually broke.
The actuator arms? Wow! Didn't know that! <GRIN>
In this instance they're perfectly fine, thank you
is this A do it yourself level job? I’ve heard about this for years and as my 550 goes up in mileage I would like to take of this before it’s too late, anyone have the WIS?
is this A do it yourself level job? I’ve heard about this for years and as my 550 goes up in mileage I would like to take of this before it’s too late, anyone have the WIS?
Hi
Frankly, I do not see why this cannot be DIY. I've removed the intake and remove the broken flaps after a section of flap broke off, jamming an intake valve open. Luckily there was no mechanical damage
I also re-installed the intake without flaps hand have tested it. No problem there, except I have a solenoid problem which needs to be attended too
I am waiting for that part. I have also bought a new intake and am waiting for it, but am using for the delay to look into the possibility of 1, running the car without flaps, which seems to me to have no drawbacks. Actually, it performs slightly better and 2. replacing engineered flaps or aftermarket flaps without having to remove the intake, which also seems doable to me as the top cover of the intake can be removed without removing the intake in full. I have done that to make measurements on the flaps and shafts as I am probably going to make a replacement set.
I have WIS and see no CEL check lights, and have checked and tested everything with my diagnostic software. No problems there.
If you intend to DIY I would suggest getting WIS. It is a real help.
If you run without flaps you are losing low end torque. Stop being cheap and just replace the manifold. Fix it properly and move on.
Hmmmm.....
I had to burst out laughing at your "Stop being cheap and just replace the manifold. Fix it properly and move on." quote
I have 43 cars in my collection, and I've modified a heck of a lot of these myself over the years. I started racing in 1983 and have only once sold a racing car as I hated it. Other than that, I have the means to play and experiment with my toys as I wish. I assure you, some of my cars are really, really rare and priceless. There are ones that money won't be able to replace.
What fid you end up doing with the removal of the flaps inside the intake manifold.im replacing the broken actuator rod on tuesday with all new metal parts and gaskets too but my mechanic is just going to clean the carbon build up and reinstall. I was thinking of you can just remove the stupid flaps inside a well
UOTE=saskloppers;8269509]Hmmmm.....
I had to burst out laughing at your "Stop being cheap and just replace the manifold. Fix it properly and move on." quote
I have 43 cars in my collection, and I've modified a heck of a lot of these myself over the years. I started racing in 1983 and have only once sold a racing car as I hated it. Other than that, I have the means to play and experiment with my toys as I wish. I assure you, some of my cars are really, really rare and priceless. There are ones that money won't be able to replace.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
