I have a 500E that came up with codes 4 and 5. I have read some informative articles hear that talk about looking for cracked or loose vacuum lines etc. Thanks.
I need to find a good mechanic here in San Diego California that can offer me an inexpensive fix. Any referrals to reasonable MB smog tech or an MB Mech would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Look under "Good MB Shops" in this forum. Jim F (Forgione) has many posts and he is in the SD area. He uses a good shop. I think it is in his web page. And with a 500E I wouldn't expect anything "inexpensive"
Anziani
'93 300CE 200K
'95 E420 122K

Jim uses/recommends Quality Motors. 858-552-1112 per his website
Anziani

I got the long story from everyone in town. I have even heard some MB certified repair shops say, well I don't know how extensive the problem is, I can't even give u an estimate.

I have worked in three non-automotive, but technical fields and I never gave anybody that answer. I knew exactly what was wrong, how to fix it, and could give a very accurate estimate.

When it is an american or a japanese car, mechanics always know what is wrong and how to fix it. It seems like Mercedes Mechanics want to make it look like everything is mystical. That is why most of the time I search forums and take my cars to junkyard under-paid guys, and I give them a tip.

When I leave a Mercedes shop, I feel like suing them. My nephew had a 300e, needed ac, it was r12, every guy himmed and hawed. A good old country boy in the east county said, I know a fellar out in El Cajon who has a bunch of that stuff. Took it to the guy and had the coldest ac ever !

Mr. Mercedes would have said, " Well, it could be a number of things . . . ." I feel like saying, start working and find what "thing" it is.

I think what it is, is that the mechanics that were working like dogs at Mercedes while Mercedes took all the money, learned that stealership mentality and the culture continues outside of Mercedes dealerships.

It's not uncommon that a certain amount of diagnostics is required in order to develop a realistic repair estimate. Keep in mind that your car has ASR, one of the most enigmatic automotive systems ever produced by Mercedes or anyone else.

What did the people at Quality Motors say?
Anziani

Haven't taken it there. I think I am going to take it to a guy down in Tijuana Mexico. Didn't want to take it down to Miguel (Mike) but I think he is a very straight forward type of guy and knows his Mercedes very well, specializes in Diesels but knows everything and doesn't think he is God because e works on Mercedes. Think about it, every car is made of nuts and bolts . . . .

Well, good luck with that.
Anziani

drive up to palm springs, I know where you can get your car smogged

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1990 190E 3.0L

Ismalley,
I live in the Palm Springs area. Who do you have in mind? And on the subject of "smogged" I have never had a problem with any of the Mercedes I've owned except the one with the shot cat converter.
Anziani

a place in coachella valley called the smog spot. its a pass or don't pay place. I have lost so much money on smog check fails.....I recently wrote to the assistance program because I still have not passed, but I think I will now after doing my valve stems because my plugs were wet with oil burning that through the exhaust. plus I had a new cat put on before I did the valve stems. I been thinking about putting on 2 cats just to be sure.

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1990 190E 3.0L

There are two of them, one down the street from me in Cathedral City. The other is in the town of Coachella (cash only). They are both "test only" or regular. Didn't say anything about no pass. no pay. As I said, I have been lucky, all have passed. If you want the phone numbers, let me know.
Anziani
'93 300CE 200K
'95 E420 122K

well I have failed 3 times, once was even with the new cat in, but I have not been back since my valve stems were done, I'm almost sure that was the problem, but I'm trying to wait and hear back from that assistance program. If eligible I can get up to $500 to help with repairs. Bad thing about that is that I've already gotten 2 tickets a week apart from expired tags.....even though I paid for my registration already back in June

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1990 190E 3.0L

Ouch, that's a mess. I haven't tried to smog any of my cars. I just take the paperwork to Ruben, he does a pretest then takes it over to his smog guy. Since I am a regular customer, he only charges for the actual test.
Anziani

Preface: the smog tests were done with the same gas, same ambient tempurature, and same warm up time. And within very few miles from each other.

The first guy failed me on egr and gas cap, but emissions passed with flying colors. So i replaced the gas cap with a good one from another one of my cars, and replaced a cracked hose to the egr valve.

2nd guy failed me on egr and blue smoke emissions (new to me, the first guy didn't mention it at all), but he didn't fail me on the gas cap, and emissions passed with flying colors.

I decided to get a tune up on my car just because it was due, but not cause I thought it would help smog, as I am sure I have and egr issue.

I then take it to the 3rd smog guy. He fails me on gas cap visual and gas cap function, egr, and emissions failed horrribly.

I told him I replaced the gas cap, but he said it had cracks. I know for sure the gas cap is good, but I buying a new one from the stealer-ship now. I just dont see how after a tune up, the cars emissions is worse (failing).