'99 E300td...check engine light?
 

My "check engine" light just poped on. What checks do I need to make to isolate the problem? Everything seems to be running normally.

thanks
Bill

If I remember correctly this car as an OBDII port that you can plug a code scanner into to get the engine code(s) - I would do that first then report back with that info.

Advance auto or O'Reilly's or other McParts places will do it for free. Or give you the reader to do it yourself. Like MercFan said, get the codes read and post them here. There are quite a few W210 owners or former owners here on the forum who can help you out.

Had the code read. It's PO400 which I'm told is an EGR Flow problem. What's the suggested fix please? And should this cause any problems on a 500 mile trip I'm suppose to take in next several days?

thanks
Bill

Can someone please help with the above?

thanks

I believe the egr issue could be a simple vacuum connection loose. look over your engine compartment for loose or cracked vacuum lines.
if you take a trip with this error you will be running on limp mode, and will have lackluster performance.

Thanks for reply. Looked over top of engine and don't see any problems with the vacum lines. Should I look underneath as well? Owners manual says check engine light on indicates problem with fuel injection sysem. Would this egr fault be part of the fuel injection system?

Bill

Check teh vacuum lines from the egr (between charge air pipe and bottom of intake manifold) to the transducer mounted on the driver side wheel well. Make certain the "vent" exiting the transducer is open.

The vacuum lines from the egr to the transducer look good. The hose that comes off the bottom of transducer goes to a plastic something that looks like a filter? How do I check the vent? Is it where this hose comes off the bottom of the transducer?

That is the filter, it vents to atmosphere. Just make sure it isnt clogged as that can trip a code.

Did you clear the code and it returned?

Terry is correct, that filter is the vent. Even though it can look clean I would recommend you buy a replacement and replace it. Any small restriction will trip the 0400 code you had and those filters (there is one on the wastegate actuator for the turbo too) are cheap and easy to replace and solve the problem most of the time. Buy two, replace them both, reset the codes and drive.

How do I make sure it isn't clogged? The filters that nhdoc referred to need to be ordered and won't get here for several days. In the meantime how can I check further?

I did clear the code the other day and it returned right away.

Bill

Do a forum search here for P0400. There are many threads already on this exact code that should answer your questions.

Did a forum search under Po400 but didn't see an answer to the above?

Unplug the line at the transducer and blow through the hose. You can drive without the vent for a few days too.