CDI to USA - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

barkford · #1 12-27-2002, 02:37 PM

Not looking to start a speculation war here but rather share what I learned yesterday.

While taking the team lead of the repair shop at my local dealer for a ride, I inquired (real casually) about CDI E class coming to US. The team lead immediately told me about his class. Apparently, some or all of the technicians have been to a tech class recently on the CDI engines. They were told that 2004 models may include the CDI engines. I know this is premature, but great news I think. I still have hope.

Rick Miley · #2 12-27-2002, 03:18 PM

They're coming, but we just don't know when. I think 2004 might be the year, unless they want some feedback from the Jeep Liberty test first. Then it might be 2005 or even 2006 when the lower sulphur regulations hit. Here's an interesting article: USA Today

P.E.Haiges · #3 12-27-2002, 05:52 PM

One thing to think about is how much the new low sulphur Diesel fuel is going to cost. I'm sure the refiners will use low sulphur as an excuse to raise the price saying it costs more to make it. Some places Diesel fuel is higher than gasoline is now, and that's the higher sulphur fuel.

This low sulphur fuel may be OK for the CDI or TDi engines but it will be hell on the older engines that use an injection pump. There is a certain lubricity in the sulphur that makes injection pumps last much longer. We might have to add an expensive additive for the injection pump Diesels on top of the higher cost of the low sulphur fuel.

P E H

#4 12-27-2002, 05:59 PM

Why wait? If you really wanted, you could buy a E320 CDI in europe and have it imported and federalized here under a one-time exemption..

If I had a bunch of money, i'd do that with a brand new S400 CDI with all kinds of crazy euro-only options

Gilly · #5 12-27-2002, 08:34 PM

I think it does hinge on getting the sulphur out of the fuel here in the US. To a large extent I think it will also depend on emission standards in the individual states. The one thing I do know is that MB is no longer interested in importing vehicles that can't be sold in all 50 states, and certifying cars for individual states, ie "California emission" vehicles.
So yeah, 2006 or so maybe, depending on if a few individual states "raise the bar" on emmisions. If they do, and these engines can't meet these standards with low-sulphur fuel, it won't happen.

Gilly

ps I have seen all the classes being offered by MB on their dealer website, there is no CDI class offered or I would have signed up for it.

tryan · #6 12-28-2002, 12:09 PM

i don't think m-b will import until our fuel is reformulated. gilly is correct, just a few states are holding us back.

epa says 2004-5-6, but i'm sure our oil companies will piss and whine. don't hold your breath.

i believe the cdi converter catalyst has cadnium (sp) that is destroyed/contaminated by sulfur. (my f250 has a catalytic converter?)

bio-diesel sounds like a halfway point.

samiam4 · #7 12-30-2002, 03:40 PM

P.E.Haiges,

I was under the impression that sulfur was not a lubricant. I have read on the net, that first attempts to lower sulfur content in fuel resulted in IP damages because of lubrication properties. The fuel industry removed sulfur in a way which made the new fuel not meet ASTM diesel lubriplicity standard.

Hopefully, they will do a better job this time. Our MB pumps are pretty safe since PW pumps are heavy duty with engine oil lubrication.
Can't wait to see CDI's in the USA. I'm in Europe and saw a nice W124 wagon yesterday which was a 2.5T =0(

Michael

P.E.Haiges · #8 12-30-2002, 11:06 PM

Samiam4,

The engine oil lubricates only the bottom of the injection pump: the cam , bearings and lifters. Its the barrels and plungers that the fuel lubricates. The clearance between the barrel and plunger is smaller than the molecules of fuel so there is no leakage between the plunger and barrel but there still needs to be some lubrication since there is movement and metal to metal contact would cause wear.

P E H