Car is runing kinda funny, gas mileage is limping too. :(
Hopefuly tune up will help. I had plugs replaced at 60,000. Now its over 80,000. What do I need to replace ? Whires?Distributer? What is the aproximate cost?




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Dmitry
90' 300CE
17" Lorinsers RS90
Brulen mufler
Clear Blinkers

For me when I do or get a tune up on my cars, I replace the air filter, oil, plugs, wires and cap (if needed), and I usually do some kind of fuel injector cleaner as well. I also chck the air pressure in the tires, usually an incorrect tire pressure can affect your gas mileage too, not to mention the milage of your tires.

best bet is to wait for one of the pro's to answer your question, but I usually go with whatever is necessary.

Alon

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'92 300CE
Black on Creme
77k Miles so far
http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mycar.jpg
Go To My 300CE Page

From what I understand these cars don't really "tune up" As mentioned before, change the pugs and fluids, possibly the dist. cap and rotor. The wires are supposedly good for life, so don't bother to change them. Mercedes wires have removeable tips that can go bad. Its much more cost effective and just as mechanically effective to just replace any of these ends if necessary.

JP

"Tune Up" is a pretty ancient term. In the distant past(which I am plenty old enough to remember). This usually referred to points and plugs, adjust the points and timing, and however deep you wanted to go. There were the terms minor and major tune ups.

With the 124 car, as with most modern cars with high energy electronic ignitions, the plugs last forever and the primary side needs very little if any attention. On these cars the distributor cap and wires, unless they fail will probably be on the car when the engine finally gives up for whatever reason.

If you want to pay it some attention, I would suggest replacing the plugs(don't use platinum), air filter, fuel filter, check the drive belt, replace if necessary and check all filters. Oh yeah, I forget about this because mine is a manual transmission, service the transmission frequently. And you can't change the engine oil too often.

It wouldn't be a bad time to check the brake pads for adequate thickness either.

Of course, you can look at your owners manual/service records and see what's due when.

As for the car not running well, injector cleaner may help, if it's bad enough that fuel mileage is dropping off for real, and it's not just your foot getting heavier with time, you should probably take it to someone who can diagnose it properly. These cars with their injection and bulletproof ignition system don't just start running poorly because they don't have fresh plugs, there's probably something wrong.

Good luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[This message has been edited by LarryBible (edited 10-12-2000).]

Senior Bible nailed it...as usual. Something's awry; have it checked out.

On tuneup notes, ensure that your monobelt tensioner's up to spec. If it's never been changed it's likely due. An ounce of prevention, as they say.

I also agree on the plug wires. Replace them when/if you break one.

Lastly, I'd replace the load-leveling filter...it's in the bottom of the reservoir (if your car's so equipped, which it likely isn't but I thought I'd mention for the consideration of my fellow W124 300TE/500E owners)

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All the best, Michael
500E
300TE

Larry,

Getting ready to do a tune-up myself. I'm curious as to why you don't recommend using platinum plugs. Also, what kind of fuel injection cleaner are you referring to, the one that you pour into the gas tank?

Thanks,
ernz

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'89 300E
Burgundy

If memory serves me, many W124's need a new oxygen sensor around 60,000 miles. More serious running problems are often the overvoltage relay.

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Bob Johnston
94 E420

Well... looks like i got the tune up unwilingly !
Took the car to the shop to check the check engine light and told them as well that the car is not runing a 100%. Asked them to give me a call with an estimate. They did not call. When I finaly got the hold of them, turned out that they already did the work on my car. $ 1,400.00 !!! Damn...
They changed the wires, plugs, distributor cup and rotor, O2 censor and also the belt and belt tentioner. Car runs fine now but the cost?!
Did I get riped off?

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Dmitry
90' 300CE
17" Lorinsers RS90
Brulen mufler
Clear Blinkers

It seems kind of expensive. However, you already have the car with no complaints. You may want to ask for a written estimate next time...What do the professionals think?
J.H.

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J.H.
'86 300E

G ee wheez,that is 2000 C$,approx 20% of the car's worth.

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Tom 1992 300E 2.6

I can't opine as to the total cost, but I'd be mad about the wires. High quality wires do NOT wear out!! And if the wires were OE, they were high quality I'm certain. I suppose if they make the arguement that one or more of the resistor ends was bad, then it'd be cheaper to swap them out than diagnose the bad one; true enough, but I'd want to at least hear their contention.

As to the lack of an estimate up front, I'd only get mad if you didn't trust them. For example, imagine I gave my car to Benzmac...and he gives me a bill for $2k. I pay it. I thank Benzmac for his fabulous service, and I drive away knowing a pro has been over my car. However, if the same thing happened somewhere else, I'd want to talk to the tech.

I'll let the pros take it from here...but $1,400 seems a little high.

You know I may be on the cheap here but I definetely feel that Dmitry got ripped off if they only changed what he lists they did. By the way why did they change the belt tensioner? Got nothing to do with poor running. the only pricey items on the list were the tensioner and the wires. the rest are not expensive. And if I tell the mechanic to call me with the estimate before he does the work and he goes ahead and does the repair on his own I would not pay him. Period. See you in court. I would hate to think that next time I do my tune-up it will cost me $1400.00. Check the prices for the parts here and do the calculation. It takes about an hour to change the tensioner (mine was done a month ago, I was standing beside the mechanic while he was doing it) the rest is easy.

Alex

When I replace the spark plugs on my 91-300E, the wire at the spark plug ends were so hard that they just fail apart. Needless to say, I have to replace with a new set.

I know many people feels the manauls, CD, or tools or special tools cost too much. But they are all one time charge. If you want to save money, DIY and you can save a lot of money.

jack

To answer the platinum plug question, the platinums have a very thin center electrode which creates a thin spark. A good set of Bosch non platinums have a fat electrode which creates a fat spark. The thin spark can cause a poor idle.

Not to get scary, but I saw a post here some time ago which eluded to the possibility of a Platinum plug breaking and depositing pieces into the engine. I doubt that these pieces are very easily digested by the engine.

Best of luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Here is the brake down of what had been done:
parts
Plugs__________$18
Cap(distrbtr)__$127
Rotor__________$70
O2 sncr._______$164
Fuel filter____$60
Whire set______$163
Belt Tentioner_$248
Belt___________$39
Plus some other litle crup I can't make out
Came to $994
Labor was $65 for Belt tentioner
$65 for diagnostics (chek engine )
$293 for doing everything else
The ineresting thing though is that the "chk. engine" light came on again this morning! I read the code off, its the same old thing (Air injection at foult) that I took it to the shop for. I think something is wrong with the vacum. I told them that I already paid 14 hundred bucks to repair it so since it isn't working stil, they should do it for free. Tomorow I'll see what happens.
It so damn hard to find a decent, honest mechanick :( I just might join every one in the spring for the grand opening in Atlanta.



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Dmitry
90' 300CE
17" Lorinsers RS90
Brulen mufler
Clear Blinkers

DMITRY,

Stick to your guns, and hang in there.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I have replaced most of the parts on my 91-300E with the 103 engine. The only item I have not replaced was the dist cap. The price sound about right, you may find the high price item such as the O2 sensor or the belt tensionor to be cheaper. Even at the dealership, the repair department charges 15% above list. I don't think a good repair shop will let you bring in parts for repair.

The main problem I see here is, they did not get you approval, and you are down $1500.00.

Take it back, Do something that you have control, call your bank to put a stop payment on your check. The worst case is the shop not release your car.

Good luck, jack

I don't know about Pennsylvania, but in California it's ILLEGAL to procede with work on a car without authorization (and has been for decades!!). I give my mechanic a letter (drop it off "early bird") telling him what it's in for... and tell him to CALL ME if you find anything else. They typically make me sign an acknowledgement as to the repairs that have been authorized.

You might check with your local / state authorities (the ones who would oversee automotive repair facilities) as to what your remedies are.



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Jay Yambrovich
1989 300 E
1992 190-E 2.3

this one,s for Larry bible how do you know that your o2 sensor is bad if the light doesn,t come on.

If I took my car into the shop for a problem, and they did a buncha work on it without my authorization, They would not get one cent from me, and They would not be allowed to keep my car either.

I'd have my attorney down there so fast, the shop wouldn't know what hit em except a big fat lawsuit and a visit from OSHA....

If they didnt call or have previous authorization to get the work authorized then they are liable to take a loss for the repairs done, as far as I see it.

Sounds to me like they didn't diagnose the problem properly. Are you sure the work was done at all? Perhaps they just reset the computer? I'd definately have a second opinion done by another mechanic if possible, and I'd definately look for proof of the work that was done.

I have heard many stories of mechanics who charged for parts they never installed. This is why its so hard to trust mechanics nowadays.

I'm glad I have always used good mechanics like the people who post here and frequent this board. It really sucks to see that you have spent a big wad of cash for a problem that has not gone away. I definately would not pay one cent more for any repairs to fix that problem especially if everything else you did had no effect.

Damn I wish you lived in LA Benzmac... you'd be the one doing any repairs for my car, my dads sl600, and my brothers 380sl..

I really hope everything works out for you, there is nothing worse than knowing your beautiful car is sick.


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'92 300CE
Metallic Black (Blue Flaked) on Creme
Clear Corners
Black Grille Insert
78k Miles

Future Upgrades:
Sportline Suspension
17" AMG Monoblocks or EVO II's
94-95 Tail Lights
Euro Headlights
Chip
AMG Exhaust
http://home.earthlink.net/~asherson/mycar.jpg
Click here to Go To My 300CE Page

I am in LA and I have great MB mechanic...
Boulevard Auto Repair
14857 Burbank Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA
(818) 989-6028

The owners name is Vargues and his son is Nelson. It is a family business...all trained MB mechanics..that's all they do...MBZ!!

I have had them do a lot of work on my 124 and they are honest and knowledgable.

Hope this helps...

Dmitry, Dmitry,

The unauthorized work and $1400 bill is a real horror story. The fact that the Check Engine light is on again makes it all the worse. My feeling is that you should take your car to a dealer (maybe M-B of Doylestown) or independent shop that will fix your car right the 1st time, rather than taking your car back to the old shop. Further dealings with them may just cause more headaches and more money down the drain. Would you kindly let me know the name of the shop you went to, as I certainly want to be aware of it (or should I say "beware of it"). You might want to e-mail me directly. I can send you the business card of an independent shop in Norristown, PA, that might be of interest to you. I've not had any work done there (my car is still under warranty), but I've met the shop owner at local MBCA Tech Sessions, and have been impressed with his knowledge and integrity.

Mike
1995 S420

Can you spell BBB?

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J.H.
'86 300E

If not the BBB, sounds like we need the B.A.R.

Although I would NOT resort to the B.A.R., it sure is tempting sometimes.

There was a question to me about the Oxygen Sensor. I think someone confused someone elses post for mine. I have not commented on Oxygen Sensors.

I have heard before that Oxygen Sensors should be replaced as a preventive maintenance item, but I've never done it. The suggestion I read was concerning my Corvette. I don't remember such a reccomendation for a Benz.

Anyone know of such an O2 sensor PM replacement reccomendation?

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles