Hey all,

I have a '98 W210 and it has 186K on it. It has been running good for me for a long time, but recently it started to stumble if I let off, and then went back to the gas. I guess it is more of a hesitation, but you can feel the engine miss a step. Also, there is more black smoke then usual, proof of which is the dirty back end on a white car. Then my wife says it smells more (of diesel fuel) when sitting at idle. Any ideas of what could be happening?

Also, I get the waste gate light when I get on it hard, but replaced the waste gate sensor 6 months ago. I did a once over of the engine and noticed one of the pipes going to the turbo is actually bent. It is the one that comes out of the bottom and has rubber hoses top and bottom on it. Anyone know if this would cause the light? Is there a part number for that pipe, or do I just get a shop to bend an exhaust piece for me?


Thanks,

Orlando

From your description I'd be looking at the plumbing from the turbo outlet to the IM for leaks/holes or the turbo itself...all of the parts are readily available from M-B. Black smoke is always a sign of unburned fuel so if your turbo isn't boosting then your car would be feeding more fuel than there is air to burn. It could also be the wastegate itself, the vacuum solenoid (again) or the vent on the bleed line from the solenoid which is very suseptible to clogging and causing problems...in fact I'd start with a new one of those as they are only a few dollars.

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Well that bent pipe is bent where it meets the lower rubber hose (size of exhaust and radiator diameters), so that could be the leak. Is there a part number page for the turbo outlet parts?

Orlando

Sounds like you are refering to the intercooler cross "under" pipe? It comes down from in front of the turbo and then under the engine, across, and up to the underside of the IM.

How'd it get bent?

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

This is a sad story. I was at my church on Ash Wednesday, looking for parking because they were packed. Someone directed me to park on the adjacent soccer field. When I went over there there was a small ditch no one mentioned (it was dark out). It went down, took out the eyelet tow cover, the plastic trim on the bottom of the bumper, the under engine cover, and bent the bottom of the radiator support back into the pipe, and actually jammed the fan into the radiator. I went ahead and pulled out the lower support, and everything lined right back up, there was minimal damage to the radiator, I lost one fan blade (need to get a part number for the clutched fan too) and the pipe under there was bent. This is on the passenger side, just behind the tow hook is the best I can describe it's location. Is that the pipe you are talking about?? BTW, I need to know how to find that silly under engine cover, I got the part number off my mangled one, but no one seems to sell it, or maybe the part number was updated?

Orlando

As a side note, black smoke isn't unburned fuel. It is fuel that burned without sufficient oxygen. Essentially it broke down in the heat and became carbonized. A truly unburned fuel shows up as light gray smoke with some blue tint.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I'm pretty sure any MB dealer could get the cover for you. Have you tried a dealer?

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Well, I was hoping to avoid the retail cost, maybe find it at a place like this site. I could go to the local dealer, its about 45 minutes away.

Orlando

Call Phil (buy parts link) and he'll get it for you.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

If its a small diameter rigid metal pipe, its the transmission cooler pipe (there are two). If that's bent, replace it.

If its a big fat rubber pipe, it could be into the oil cooler.

See here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soundman/sets/72157600905440599/

OK,

In this picture, it is the fat rubber tube. You can see the hose clamp, it is connected to a metal pipe.



That metal pipe is bent right at the junction were they connect. What is that pipe (or better yet part number). It goes up to another rubber hose that goes to the underside of the turbo.

Orlando

Looks like the charge air pipe from the turbo to the intercooler. You can see where it comes out of the IC on the other side and heads up towards the intake manifold. You're probably losing boost, which is why the fuel is coming out unburnt.

The intercooler is that aluminum blocky-looking thing right at the very front of the car.

__________________
99 E300 TD -- sold
01 540i 6 spd

OK,

I ordered the new part this morning from the buy parts line. After I put it on I will let you all know if that fixes the issue.

Orlando

Well,

I got the part that Phil and I talked about. It turned out not to be right. It looks close. The part he sent has two mounting tabs and a bung hole for a sensor or something. My pipe is the same diamator, but a different bend, and 3 tabs, no bung hole. It also has a special mount across to of the tabs to mount it to the side of the block.

Oh well, I will talk to him more in the morning.

Orlando

Well, spoke to Phil, turns out there are 2 pipes, so just like I thought, it was an honest mistake. He is sending me the correct part and I will return this one to him.

Orlando