Long background info before the question:
My 99 E300 TurboDiesel with just under 34,000 miles has developed a knock on cold startup. The sound is very similar to a tapping valve, only happens when the engine is dead cold (relatively, this being Florida), and goes away after about 30 seconds. When this first started, the engine was still starting fine. Two days later, I could feel a distinct stumble for a few seconds. Also, when this first started, I found the engine oil slightly below minimum. Apparently the sensor for the idiot light has failed and the idiot doesn't check his oil often enough.

Now the questions:
1. Do you think this is glow plug related?
2. Am I going to do any damage by driving it for another week before my dealer can get the car in?
3. MBDOC: If this is oil related, will I still get help from MB because the level sensor failed?

Thanks for wading through all of this.

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Rick Miley
99 E300 TurboDiesel
00 Jetta TDI

Doubt if knock is oil related, but probably fuel related. The level sensor allows the oil to drop APPROX 1.5 qt before warning lamp comes on. The dipstick is 1 Liter from hi to low. Many times light knocking/tapping noises can be related to fuel quality, which can vary from fill-up to fill-up even at same station. Some of the early 606 turbos had oil pump noise on start-up, more of a growling noise. Are you following FSS or doing in-between oil changes??

[This message has been edited by M.B.DOC (edited 11-07-2000).]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm doing in-between changes and using Mobil Delvac-1 full synthetic oil. It sure would be nice if the problem is fuel related, but it is only happening on one cylinder.

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Rick Miley
99 E300 TurboDiesel
00 Jetta TDI

At any rate, MB will help. I have seen them work on problems and solve then at ANY COST.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
300E
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM
OWNER OF MB AUTOWERKS .COM

Resolution: Dealer tech found injector pressure too low. Tested and relaced all 6 injectors. Also replaced fuel line that was leaking at the pump. Total warranty claim: $1629.45. Yikes!

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Rick Miley
99 E300 TurboDiesel
00 Jetta TDI

rick,

Which do you like best your E class diesel or your TDI diesel? How about a comparison review for us.

Thanks,


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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Thanks for the question, Larry. This could get interesting. I love them both for very different reasons. The direct injection technology in the VW is absolutely amazing for its smoothness and quiet. At speed, you would mistake it for a gas engine. Even at idle, there is only a hint of vibration transmitted through the accelerator pedal. If it were a six cylinder, it would be rock steady. The MB, while amazingly quiet for a Diesel is just not the same. Every time I floor it (which is nearly every stop light ), I have this image in my mind of a Greyhound bus hauling ass down a drag strip. So, as much as I like the MB, the advantage goes to VW TDI for noise and vibration.

Another big advantage to the VW is that it doesn't need to be glowed in anything above freezing weather. Since buying it in February (remember, I'm in Florida), I've never had to wait even a second for it.

What VW did that I don't like is they used a variable nozzle turbo. I understand why they did it, and it does offer immediate boost, but it completely lacks excitement. The car just feels like an ordinary 4 banger throughout the rev range. However, the E300 gives a fantastic turbo rush when it comes on the boost at 2500rpm. I surprise a lot of people with that and, having chosen my battles carefully, I've never lost a stoplight drag race. On the other hand, I race people in the VW whenever I drive it, but they don't know it.

I saw your earlier post about the VW timing belt and I agree that they should have used a chain. I'll just bite the bullet and change the belt every 50,000.

Both of these cars get amazing fuel mileage - 33 for the MB and 45 for the VW in mixed driving. The better mileage plus switch from premium gas to Diesel cut my fuel bill by 60% when I switched from the old 300E.

If I think of anything else I'll add on later. Do you have any specific questions?

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Rick Miley
99 E300 TurboDiesel
00 Jetta TDI