'02 E430 - Fuel in Motor Oil - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jgl1 · #1 06-19-2007, 02:00 PM

2002 E430, 37K miles. Noticeable decrease in fuel economy since January but no driveability issues or CE light. Presented to dealer 2 months ago but "no faults found" Occasional stumbling now noted, particularly during shifting, in past 3 weeks; return to dealer again finds no faults.

Now, with vehicle literally just out of factory warranty, engine oil analysis reveals excessive fuel in oil, with less than 3K miles on oil since last oil change. Dealer doesn't want to cover issue, saying vehicle is no longer warranted.

Recommendations? Complain to MB-USA? Escalate to a zone rep?

Any idea as to problem - leaking fuel injector? Both cats have been renewed, under warranty, due to internal rattling.

megachrome · #2 06-19-2007, 02:16 PM

Hello Jgl,

I feel for you! Just went through the same issue with a 74.
Lot's of good ideas in the following thread:
lots of gas in oil

In my case, I think it was caused by topping off the oil, it seems to be taken care of by leaving the level down 1/2 quart. But your situation may be different.

Good luck!
Dan

alabbasi · #3 06-19-2007, 02:30 PM

Contact MBUSA corporate and explain the situation. Explain to them that you took the car to the dealership prior to the warranty expiring and explained the symptoms. If they want to act on it, they will call the dealer or another dealer and have them investigate.

As the car was taken in before, there will be a record of service.

Good luck

manny · #4 06-19-2007, 02:33 PM

A leaking injector or Fuel Pressure Regulator would be my first guess.
If there is a record ( workorder ) to address this very same problem, you should still be covered under warranty.
Just because the dealer could not find the problem, it was probably there, while the warranty period was still valid.

just-n-time · #5 06-19-2007, 04:08 PM

Bad o-ring in f/d plunger or bad diafram in f/d.

manny · #6 06-19-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by just-n-time

Bad o-ring in f/d plunger or bad diafram in f/d.

On a 2002 model car ?

300B · #7 06-19-2007, 07:29 PM

How much fuel percentage wise?

okc329 · #8 06-19-2007, 09:15 PM

If dealer did it why didn't he do it when you complained about poor fuel economy? Ask to see the file on your car.

jgl1 · #9 06-19-2007, 11:00 PM

OK, some additional info... reviewed the vehicle's service records with the service manager today. Dealer last saw vehicle 3 weeks ago, while under warranty; was brought in for complaints of decreased fuel economy (approx. 20% reduction) and driveability issue. Insisted that real time data be captured and saved, not just SDS Quick Test. Was told at that time that no faults were found.

But today, upon reviewing the service records, turns out that fuel adaptation was maxed out... but since CE light was not on, technician had merely reset adaptation. And reported to service advisor that nothing was wrong. And this is all documented.

So, after revealing this, the service manager requested the vehicle be driven for a couple of weeks more and then brought back in for a recheck. If faults are found, they'll "work with MBUSA on arranging some sort of fix out of warranty." Guess that means they'll pay for only the parts.

As for the oil... that's an another dealer fiasco. Vehicle exhibited some noisy lifters last fall, so changed from Mobil 1 0W-40 to Mobil 1 15W-50 and then drove the vehicle for approx 2K miles. Lifter noise remained and when vehicle was taken in for warranty service, dealer was advised of continued lifter noise, despite the use of the heavier weight oil. Later that day, the service writer called back stating that because 15W-50 had been used, the top end of both cylinder heads was likely irrepairably damaged and that new camshafts, lifters, etc. would be required. For approx. $5k. All this because the wrong oil had been used. No complaint regarding engine performance, no tear down, just a blanket statement that use of the wrong oil had caused major damaged and a request for permission to overhaul the top end. On a engine with 35K miles.

Immediately contacted Mobil and advised them of the dealer's claim. A couple of minutes later, after they finished laughing, Mobil stated that there was no way their synthetic oil could cause that kind of damage in 2K miles and if it did, they would cover the damage. They requested an oil sample be taken from the engine and sent to them for analysis.

So samples were drawn and sent to Mobil, as well as an independent lab. The dealer renewed the engine oil, using Mobil 1 0W-40. And quietly backed off their claim of engine damage. The oil analysis reports from the two labs revealed absolutely no signs of any faults, including elevated levels of suspended metals from accelerated engine wear.

The current oil analysis was performed just to substantiate the findings of the first oil sampling, which it did. It was completely fortuitous that the fuel-contaminated oil was noted, since it was not expected nor being looked for.

Zeus · #10 06-20-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgl1

Later that day, the service writer called back stating that because 15W-50 had been used, the top end of both cylinder heads was likely irrepairably damaged and that new camshafts, lifters, etc. would be required. For approx. $5k. All this because the wrong oil had been used. No complaint regarding engine performance, no tear down, just a blanket statement that use of the wrong oil had caused major damaged and a request for permission to overhaul the top end. On a engine with 35K miles.

I honestly don't know how someone could tell you that with a straight face. I would have laid into them like a tsunami on a hot dog stand.

Utter, ridiculous nonsense.

david s poole · #11 06-20-2007, 10:27 AM

your problem is most likely going to be the mass air flow meter which is why the adaptions were pegged on one side[i'll bet the low side--trying to lean out a rich mixture]anyone working at a dealership should know that this is first sign of maf bad.

jgl1 · #12 06-20-2007, 12:28 PM

You're absolutely right - the value was pegged to the low side. Don't understand why the CE light has never illuminated though.

david s poole · #13 06-20-2007, 12:42 PM

well the issue is still that the fuel system is pumping too much fuel and it's contaminating the oil not to mention the drivability issues.if there is a code that causes cel to come on it must only be for complete failure because code i always see says adaptions at limit.maybe it was the first day for the person that looked at your car and no one had told them yet.