2001 W210 (E320 Wagon) - 120k service items? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ramonajim · #1 07-01-2004, 09:36 PM

The stuff I've thought of, below. Looking for the collective wisdom about anything else that should/could be done:

Oil/filter
Fuel filter
Air filter
Coolant flush & fill
New thermostat
Trans fluid flush & filter change
New plugs
Brake pads & rotors (replace front, measure rear)
Brake fluid flush
New serpentine belt
New tires (not really needed except for the one that picked up a 1/2" diameter bolt yesterday)
Alignment

Thinking about, and would really appreciate input:
New shocks
Timing chain (anything to check/adjust?)

Finally, I haven't had any luck finding any service manuals (MB/Haynes/other) except for those iffy looking $80 CD jobs on eBay. Any pointers?

Gilly · #2 07-01-2004, 10:06 PM

Looks pretty complete to me, maybe even subtract a few things:
Brake fluid and coolant flush are time-based, not mileage. Coolant is done every 3 years and the brake fluid every 2 years, so find out when it was last done.

Thermostat change...huh?

Plugs were due at 100K, so yes do it if it wasn't done on schedule.

Brake pads and rotors, based on wear, are you sure they need ito be replaced? Certainly the front and rear should be checked, and also rotate tires at that time.

I assume you have an alignment issue, otherwise the best indicator for needed alignment work is generally acknowledged to be tire wear pattern, so if they are wearing "funny", sure have the alignment checked.

Serpentine belt, again this is based on condition. Should definitely be inspected, but I dont recommend just up and replacing it at a service automatically.

Tires: up to you. If there is tread left, maybe you'd rather wait until closer to winter and have the alignment checked at that time, if you just really "feel like" having the alignment checked.

Trans fluid and filter: I don't recommend it, others disagree on the 722.6 issue. Myself, I feel if the tranny is gonna lunch, it's gonna lunch if the fluid and filter was changed or not. It is a sealed transmission, leave it alone.

Make sure they check the differential for leaks (side and pinion seal), but don't change the oil in it.

Make sure they inspect the harmonic balancer.

Gilly

ramonajim · #3 07-02-2004, 01:48 AM

Thanks Gilly for the comprehensive reply. I am the "they" when it comes to servicing the autos in the family, so if you'd be so kind.....

We've owned this car since new, and my wife drives a LOT (never goes anywhere though - longest trip the wagon has made is 90 miles up the coast to Disneyland). One of the many joys of being a "stay at home mom" with four kids, I guess. 40k/year, dang near all of it right here in San Diego county.

Brake fluid & coolant haven't been done, so they're overdue & due respectively. Thermostat change idea is a hold over from my Japanese wrenching - where you just replace 'em every flush as a matter of course. Guess you're thinking that's overkill?

Front rotors were just over the limit at last pad change (16k miles ago) so I'll replace rotors & pads together (and check the rears, 'tho I'll bet they're good).

Getting a bit of uneven tire wear & a slight pull, hence the alignment. The ride seems to have gotten a tad "floaty" over the last few months - so I'm wondering about the shocks. Barking up the wrong tree, or is it typical for the stock setup to be ready for replacement at 120k?

Ain't no such thing as winter round these parts, so waiting for it is a bit pointless.... and I'm not crazy about a mixed set & running without spare, so new tires a pretty much a given in my book.

Trans fluid & filter, I'll chew on for a while. I've read a fair bit on the debate. Haven't made up my mind yet.

How does a reasonably capable shade tree check the harmonic balancer? Looking for cracks, wobble, something else?

How long do the serpentine belts typically last?

Again, thanks for your input!

Gilly · #4 07-02-2004, 07:53 AM

Shocks aren't a big concern on these. I'm trying to think if the 210 wagon has rear self-levelling or not, if it does that would be a big expense for the rear. I don't know if I ever had to replace a 210 shock to be honest.

On the tires, isn't there a cold-wet 2 or 3 months where you'd want the tires to be their best? I thought someone from CA rebuked me once for assuming winter isn't a concern out there. Maybe it was AZ or NM where in some areas they get snowed on....or northern CA?

Overkill on the thermostat yes. But HEY if it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling go fer it. It's pretty cool, the tstat is part of the tstat housing, all 1 piece.

There are posts on checking the balancer, so search out "harmonic balancer" on this sites search feature, but yes, wobbles, cracking, and the outer balancer ring being displaced forward or back are the key things, but I think there is even a thread or post here with pictures of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Or a link to pictures.

These newer engines are really easy on belts. What you wanna do is look at the belt, at the "ribbed" side, and see if you see any of the ribs getting cracks in them. Best to do this on the tensioner, where the ribs are being flexed outwards (as opposed to the flat side being flexed outwards). If you see signs of cracking, it's about time, if there are LOTS of cracks I'd do it right away without waiting for a service routine. If the belt has been on a real long time, and it's looking especially "dry" or weatherchecked, I'd do it then too, if you think you got your "moneys worth" out of the belt. I'm sure with 4 kids and your wife you're probably extra-liberal when it comes to things like this, I can understand that. Can't give you a straight answer on how long the belt should last. In my opinion, it's not that unusual to see a 112/113 engine still have the original belt with that amount of miles on it. If you're sure it's original, and don't want your wife to be the "serpentine belt durability tester", then maybe you could think about swapping it out, it's not that difficult to do.

I'd still recommend leaving the tranny fluid alone on this.

Gilly

Southern · #5 07-02-2004, 11:22 AM

I suggest repacking the front wheel bearings, when servicing the front brakes, if they have not already been done.

ramonajim · #6 07-02-2004, 02:36 PM

Well, crap. Did the search on harmonic balancer as suggested by Gilly, and went poking.

Wife's wagon has a build date 04/01 and HB part number A112 035 08 00, both of which should indicate a good part - but the rubber ring is clearly coming out.

Any comments re: DIY replacement of the HB? Some of the comments in this 5 year old and running thread

make me think this might be worth paying someone to do (needing to buy "proper" $100+ tools kinda kills the savings if I'm only gonna use the tool once).

Crap, 'cuz it's one more thing to do/pay for, but great news since I found it before it died. Many, many thanks Gilly.

Gilly · #7 07-02-2004, 06:10 PM

Jim:
You may possibly have a shot at warranty on this, particularly if you bought it new and have (I hate to put it this way) a half-arsed decent relationship with the dealer. SHOULDN'T matter I know, but politics sometimes get involved. It would depend on if the dealer agrees with your assessment that it's bad.

I'd rather see the wheel bearings get repacked rather than the ATF change. Be sure you get new seals though. This is assuming it's a 2 wheel drive, not 4Magic.

As an aside, have you ever been to the Ramona Cafe? I'm a big warbird fan and know about the owner there, Bob Vanderveen, going on that KeeBird expedition in Greenland. Pretyy tragic, but a cool story. Hollywood couldn't have done that story any better.

Gilly

ramonajim · #8 07-02-2004, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gilly
It would depend on if the dealer agrees with your assessment that it's bad.

Here's a picture - look at the rubber piece at the 3:00 position and tell me what you think. As to the politics, I'm afraid the folks I worked with through the "teething pains" when the car was new are all long gone, don't know anyone in the service department now. I did pop in today to schedule an appointment and make sure the service manager understands my expectation - that the HB is to be replaced at no charge. Got the noncommittal "we'll talk when we see it in person" I was expecting, but at least the foundation for discussion is set.

Quote:

As an aside, have you ever been to the Ramona Cafe?

Been there once, but don't know any of the folks there. ramonajim is just a screen name I cooked up years ago when I lived in Ramona - figured I had a reasonably good chance of remembering where I lived and what (most) people call me, and it's kinda stuck with me.

Peter Guenther · #9 07-04-2004, 10:01 AM

Do the pulley, when they come apart there can be a lot of damage done, sometimes destroys the oil pan/timing case cover. The 210 wagon does have self leveling suspension, so it could be spheres! That trans was sealed so there is no dipstick, to check fluid.
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