C280 Evaporative Control Sys
 

My 96 C280 Just gave me a P0441 fault code, which is for the "evaporative emmission control incorrect purge flow". Thanks to Mercedes' infuriating policy of not making service manuals available, I can't look up the component locations and diagnosis of the system. Can anyone who has had this problem make any recommendations of where to start?

This type of code is usually a sticky purge valve itself. This is located in the left front fenderwell area under the hood, has one wiring connector and 2 purge hoses (rather large hoses, like oversized vacuum hoses) running to it. It also has a symbol on top that says "MOT" and an arrow. You may have noticed this before, it clicks away rather loudly when the engine is warmed up and at op temperature. If you get the engine warmed up and don't notice this valve clicking, then it's probably in need of replacement. Sometimes you can slap this valve a couple times and it will start clicking, another good indication that it's getting lazy and in need of replacement. I've replaced quite a few of them. It's fairly common to have this fail, kind of like the mass air flow sensor, all manufacturers are having problems with this part.
Gilly

Thanks very much for the informative help. After the first time, the code has not come up again, so I'm going to wait and see before I go any further.

Gilly! Thanks! I have wondered for sometime about that durned clicking, but since the car has done it since new, I put it out of mind when talking to the dealer.

What would we do without our Gilly?:)

Ah Hell, I'd be LOST without you guys, too!!!;)
Gilly