Used idle valve from dealer !

[finn]

I mail ordered a new idle control valve from the MB dealer. I opened the box and found used, very dirty idle valve in the box! Is this normal ???

[sbourg]

Of course not, and I'd suspect that valve is also no-op. The trick might be convincing the dealer you received it that way. Might help to bring your car in, so you can show them you don't have a shiny new one installed!

Moral of this story would be to open and check the new parts at the dealer - I alway do anyway to verify it is the correct part and all accessories I need are included.

Steve

[finn]

Have you ever heard that these valves can be remanufactured? 380SE -85, valve made by VDO, MB #0001411325

Edit: I mail ordered the valve, so I was not able to see itīs really new. And yes, itīs quite stuck and multimeter shows 3,9 ohms, itīs defective...

[sbourg]

These valves get gummed up in use and are easily cleaned. The only likely reason it would have been swapped out is if it was unrepairable. This probably was done at the dealer, the tech popped the old one back in the box the new one came from,and it ended up back on the parts shelf by mistake. I guess you are saying it was mailed to your home from the dealer, and thus was probably an item they had in stock. If they are honest, and have a record that one had been replaced recently in their shop, and stock inventory is off - maybe they will replace it without a hassle.

Steve

[finn]

I hope itīs like you describe, sbourg. I couldnīt believe this can happen. Iīve cleaned the old valve many times; eventually it burned the control unit (the unit is new replacement now). Learned that the valve has to have resistance more than 5 ohms . Iīll call the dealer tomorrow when they open. However, I need a new valve, I donīt want to burn the idle control unit again!

[finn]

MB selling used idle control valve appears to be truth! The part I received is actually #000 141 13 25 81. The dealer told me MB is stopping to sell this valve new, which was #000 141 13 25.

Yes, the #000 141 13 25 81 is used #000 141 13 25 stripped from junkyard! You should have seen my face when I opened the box and found dirty and stuck valve which label has faded years ago.. But the dealer still promised to ship me new and unused valve if they found one. Am i being fooled or is MB really doing such shady business nowadays?

[sbourg]

Fastlane lists the part for $300, and they say nothing about 'used', so I'm sure it is new. How does the dealer's price compare?

Steve

[finn]

Sbourg, your picture seems to be valve for U.S. spec 380SE. FastLane lists Euro #0001411325, C4030-69944, Idle Control Valve $515.00.

The dealer prices are $424 for #000141132581 (used) and $534 for #0001411325 (new, discontinued) at German dealer. The issue takes place in Germany. Recycling is certainly a good thing, but $424 for a used part....

[xp190]

I'd charge that much to if I had to go down to a junk yard and pull one out myself

but honestly it is ridiculous, go to a junk yard yourself and get a used one for free.

xp

[finn]

Finally received new unused idle control valve. The idle is now perfect 500 in gear, BUT the idle is 900 rpm in P or N. Have checked throttle switch and temp sensor. Control unit and valve are new. The funny thing is when I switch off the lights and heater the idle will raise to 950 rpm. What may cause that high idle??

[sbourg]

In the KE controller, idle speed is by closed-loop monitoring of engine speed via a sensor. However, mixture is also controlled, and the loop there is mechanical and electrical. Any vacuum leaks will bypass the airflow sensor and cause an overly lean mixture. This is monitored by the O2 sensor, and the controller will compensate with the EHA to keep the engine running. Mixture control probably takes priority over idle speed control, so I would look for faults here first.

Steve

[finn]

The car has KA. No cat, but here is some kind of exhaust recycling system. Inspection results, idle speed:

CO 1.83 %
HC 242 ppm
CO2 12.6 %
O2 0.61 %


Are these readings fine or somehow lean?