C280 EGR Tube Clean Out -Through the Air Intake

C280 EGR Tube Clean Out -Through the Air Intake

This is a method that worked for me on my 1996 C280.

There are 2 ways to ream out the EGR tube.

Method 1:
By disconnecting the tube at the EGR Valve. You then have to push in about 40 inches of cable to get to the clogged area, which is a sharp bend right by the air intake tube.
You know you are in far enough when the cable can be seen in the air intake tube.
(about 1.5” below the butterfly, from the drivers side)

Method 2:
Through the air intake.
Materials required:
28” 1/8 dia wire rope
20” 5/16 OD copper tubing (the wire rope goes through the tubing)
Electric Drill

Bend the tubing in the shape of the letter “C”
With a 90 degree, 1.5” radius on the bottom
A vertical section about 10”
And a 90 degree 6” radius on top

Push the wire rope through the copper tub, Hook up the drill to the wire rope at the top.
Use a piece of wood to keep the butterfly open.
Now insert the reaming tool down past the butterfly, line up with the hole for the EGR tube, and ream with the drill in reverse (this keeps the wire rope from unwinding)

Hi,
Cleaning from the EGR valve seemed to be an easier method for me to use on my e320. Did you reuse the ferrell or use a new one?
I'm not sure if I would be able to see the cable. I was thinking of removing the tube at the intake manifold.
Comments appreciated.

[MAC10]

I had this problem with my C280, and cleaned the egr tube with a speedo cable attached to a drill, spinning to clean out the tube. However, after un-hooking the egr tube on the 'cold side'/ intake side of the motor I noticed that most of the build-up of resin was not in the tube itself, but in the passage into the breather. The hole was approx 1/2 the size it should be due to the build-up. Make sure to check this, you might clean the tube out and think you've solved the problem only to have it return soon after. I cleaned mine with a piece of a coat-hanger. Bending it over(tight) to make a small loop and then snipping the opposite ends(so your only working with around 4 inches-doubled). then file or grind the small loop into a flat spoon shape with sharp corners-be sure to put a small bend before the spoon end. You can use this tool to carefully pull out all the material. It might take a while with some patience.

I pulled out a bit then had a rag handy to wipe the tool off and continue until the hole was clean. If your carefull you can do it without pushing any material into the engine. I have had no problems since, my car runs great.

-M

[Kestas]

On the E320, deposits are concentrated in the first few inches of tube that connects to the intake at the left side of the engine. This end is also the hardest to get at. The rest of the tube is usually free of deposits. The valve itself is rarely a problem.

Hi,
I'm wondering if it would be just as quick to just replace the EGR & Tube.
I got a code 5 & 26 when my Engine lite came on. I twisted the black hose with a red tracer off the Up-shift delay switch and that removed the code 26, the code 5 remains. I bought the e320 new in 1994 and it always had a slight irregular idle when it was warmed up, even back then. It was never consistent and the shop could never figure it out. I've been driving it with the lite on since Sept of last year. The car runs fine. That little rough idle comes and goes. I guess if it becomes really bad I should get it fixed. Thanks for you reply

[Arthur Dalton]

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This is a classsic symtom of the TSB by Benz on changing the EGR vave to the new style..
The old ones were sticking open, and this not only causes CE lamp, but a vac leak at idle [ when the ECU actually disengages the egr system]
If the dealer has checked/changed the valve to the new style, they are supposed to put a RED paint drop on the valve per TSB.

One wants to remember that the DIFFERENCE in diagnosis of a code for EGR between air tube blockage and a sticking EGR
are that one is not allowing exhaust recirculation [ blocked] and the other is allowing it when it is not supposed to be [ sticking valve]
These will BOTH bring up the egr code, so the test is to apply vac w/hand pump at the egr SOV hose port and pull some vac to manually open/close the valve ..
If there is blockage at the tube end , the engine will not show a significant rpm change at idle.. if it does , then you know you have vac flow throught the tube[ very rough running condition w/test]
I like to hear a nice "Snap" closing when releasing vac with this test....
Because the blockage of the egr tube is so common, many believe that the EGR itself is not at fault, but that is not the case ..that is why Benz re-designed the part and put out the TSB
Anyone needing that TSB/info is welcomed...

Does any body got any ideas what these sound are caused by?
When I pull the codes on my e320, some times but not always I get this high pitch wine, then several tapping sounds, (like a ratchet wheel being indexed), then a sound like something was pushed or pulled into position. The high wine continues. I can't locate it but it's sounds like its coming from the driver's side of the engine under or near the Oil Filter. Nothing electrical is turned on; the ignition switch is in the on position.
Comments please.

[Arthur Dalton]

PS info to my last post
R:- EGR -TSB

In Jan ,'95 , Benz actually put out a Campaign CMP-0131
up-dating the TSB to Recall ..
This was to Dealers only and states that all Benz brought in for
Scheduled Service are to be checked for inclusion of this list, and if are included,
are to have the EGR changed to the new style at N/C ..
..regardless if the car came in with a complaint or CE lamp/egr code or not ...

I don't remember them changing the EGR. Then again they didn't tell me that they were going to replace the valve cover gasket when they made a repair to the front cover oil seal leak with PT# 1040150120 instead of PT# 1040150220.
I have the same leak again. How difficult is this seal to replace and do you need special tools?
There is no red dot on my EGR. I was searching the web for one. The part number that I found on three web sites was the same as the one I have now.
Pt# 0021400260 taken from my current EGR. Is this the replacement EGR Vale?
I appreciate your comments.

[Arthur Dalton]

They don't tell you they change the egr .. they just do it per Benz and the recall...[ ooops..i mean Campaign..]
You would think they would notify all owners , but they just change them as they come in for service..they do that on a lot of stuff....

The part # is the same ... it is the date code they look at.
That is why they put the RED dot on the ones that have been changed..[ but that does not mean anything if the dealer doesn't mark them for the next guy.]

The date code spec. states "94T174 or later need not be changed"

On yours, the early design was on cars From chassis 1C-130329 thru 1C-171168

If you want a copy of the "Campaign", send me an email and I will jpg it to you ...

Guess that "Campaign" sounds better than Recall.....cuz Benz never has any of them ..just ask someone w/harness issues..
Nothin wrong with me, nothin wrong with me.. nothin wr.......