FSS Lawsuit

[Teacher]

What is the statusof the lawsuit brought against Mb for the FSS system on the ml. I was told that letters would be sent and the engine was guaranteed 10 years or 150000 not to burn oil.( if properly changed ). I have called MB and they tell me I.m in the computer but I haven't received anything in the mail. 1998 ml 320 85700 miles not burning any oil using castril syntek 5-50. ...... Also about this steering pump hose recall, will the dealer do anything if you don't have a problem or "if it isn't broke ..don't fix it ...

[timz]

I don't know about the lawsuit, maybe someone else does.

But I have a '98 ML320 and when they printed the VMI at the dealership (the repair and recall history), they said my '98 wasn't affected by the power steering hose recall and they wouldn't fix it. The report showed the recall service had never been done. But it also showed that it wasn't outstanding.

The interesting thing, is that the dealership's website showed up the power steering hose as a recall for a '98 ML320, and recommended I check to see if I needed to have it done.

Tim

[azinn]

Teacher..........
I've got the letter dated September 2002 along with a four page copy of the settlement. Last paragraph of the letter reads 'You can rest assured that some of the world's best automotive engineers stand behind your Mercedes-Benz. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at 1-800-367-6372.' Sincerely, Mark Juron, MBUSA General Manager, Product Managment, Parts and Services.
On the settlement, last page 'Any questions you have concerning the litigation in general or the matters contained in this notice should be directed in writing to:' Kenneth A Jacobsen, Esquire Law Offices of Kenneth A. Jacobsen, 22 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063, Lead Counsel for Plaintiff and the Settlement Class.
As far as the power steering clamp recall you should have gotten a letter on this also. It was/is an official recall, twice I believe.

[G-Benz]

Originally posted by Teacher
What is the statusof the lawsuit brought against Mb for the FSS system on the ml. I was told that letters would be sent and the engine was guaranteed 10 years or 150000 not to burn oil.( if properly changed ). I have called MB and they tell me I.m in the computer but I haven't received anything in the mail. 1998 ml 320 85700 miles not burning any oil using castril syntek 5-50. ...... Also about this steering pump hose recall, will the dealer do anything if you don't have a problem or "if it isn't broke ..don't fix it ...

Most of us ML owners got the FSS issue document via a letter from MBUSA.

The basic premise is that many owners followed the recommended oil change intervals as specified by the FSS. However, the long mileage intervals mandated by the FSS required the use of synthetic oil rather than dino (hence the long intervals between changes).

Some of those engines that were not exclusively using synth eventually saw premature wear and "coking" of the piston rings as early as 50K miles, necessitating an overhaul.

MBUSA agreed to settle the class action lawsuit by warranting ALL of the affected ML-class engines for problems that arise within the warranty period that are DIRECTLY related to the premature ring wear issues as a result of improper oil and oil change intervals...pretty tough to prove otherwise unless you bring in an engine specimen with the exact ailment.

You also should have received a letter regarding the steering pump clamp recall, and the dealer should replace it for free. The issue here is that the clamp design is faulty, causing the possibility the hose popping off when it fails. I have read that this has been most prevalent in cold climate environments.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=69000

Also check out the harmonic balancer issues in these threads as your engine configuration is also affected...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=82953

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=63512

I've had the clamp replaced by a tech right in my job parking lot. And I got the balancer replaced at the dealership. I paid $270 for the part, and labor was free.

And sdanville, I've been on the synth program since my ML was acquired in 11/98, and it doesn't burn a drop of oil...

[sdanville]

i did have my clamp replaced.
I will read about the balancer. That's news to me.

[mcreynol]

Originally posted by sdanville
I thought all the ML320's burned oil.
Mine has gone through a qt every 1,000 mikes since brand new.
Now with 95,000 miles that's 95 extra quarts of Mobil One @ $6 a quart = $570

You are a lucky man your 1998 ML320 doesn't use oil.

Are you trying to keep the oil level at "MAX"? As far as I know, all MB engines should be filled to the half way mark, then refilled to that point when at the "MIN" mark. Max really means Maximum just like Min means Minimum.

Filling to MAX will only result in quick consumption down to the half way mark. Think of it as the engine's way of correcting a mistake.

Alan
63 230SL
96 G300DT
98 E300DT
79 250 (rip)

[sdanville]

About every 1,000 miles my add oil light comes on.
I then put in a quart which brings the oil to the middle of the dip stick marks.

[G-Benz]

Originally posted by mcreynol
Are you trying to keep the oil level at "MAX"? As far as I know, all MB engines should be filled to the half way mark, then refilled to that point when at the "MIN" mark. Max really means Maximum just like Min means Minimum.

Filling to MAX will only result in quick consumption down to the half way mark. Think of it as the engine's way of correcting a mistake.

That's news to me!

Whenever I get mine back from the dealership after an oil change, the dipstick always read "MAX"...

[azinn]

Originally posted by G-Benz
That's news to me!

Whenever I get mine back from the dealership after an oil change, the dipstick always read "MAX"...

Same here.

[Holeshot]

Originally posted by sdanville
I thought all the ML320's burned oil.
Mine has gone through a qt every 1,000 mikes since brand new.
Now with 95,000 miles that's 95 extra quarts of Mobil One @ $6 a quart = $570

You are a lucky man your 1998 ML320 doesn't use oil.

Dang, really? Our '99 320 has 54,000 on it now and it doesn't use a single drop. It's always been maintained by the dealer (I just don't have time to do it like I did in years past). Not sure if there were or are any reacalls done on it, but a couple of times they took care of extra stuff when it was in for normal maint. hm.. I guess I should have the wife get me the recieps (it's her car, she takes it in).

Wish I'd found the board a couple of years ago.. good (if not a little scary) info!

[need2speed]

Canadian ML320 owners may be interested to know that a class-action lawsuit has been filed in Ontario against MBCanada for the same problem. The lawyer, Harvin Pitch, can be contacted at:
Harvin Pitch
Teplitsky, Colson
416-865-5310
hpitch@teplitskycolson.com

Of course, when I asked MBCanada last year, they denied there was a problem in Canada....perhaps oil is different north of the 49th?

[acapulco36]

I am driving a ml320 with 112000 miles, and using no oil as well.

Using 15w40 grade (conventional) motor oil. < this is a
hvy duty truck oil spec SL/CI-4 >

I have an associate with a ml320 who used synthetic and had
higher consumption than with 15w40 motor oil.

The vehicle did consume some oil approx 1 x qt per 2000 miles
with 15w40, but way below that of synthetics.

Being in the petroleum business (a mfg of motor oils/lubricants),
i note synthetics do have a higher consumption than
conventional motor oils. ( this conclusion is from feed back
form hundreds of repair facilities of all types: auto, marine,
hvy duty trucks, and as well as hvy ocean going vessels. )

We ship tens of thousands of gallons per month of motor oils of all types, and i note cross country and local truckers DO NOT
use on a normal basis... these trucks are logging up to and some over 1 mill miles per engine. * and note most burning high to mid sulpher diesel fuels.

Yes, synthetics are great oils, but conventional oil can hold there own if the vehicle is maintained properly.

[sdanville]

If only Mercedes would ok non synthetic oils.
I'd go back to Valvoline in a heart beat.
And I would save money changing it twice as often.

[Chuck&Gail]

I've got just under 100,000 miles on my ML320. I only change oil when the computer says to, but I always use Mobil 1. Car has never had anything but Mobil 1 except during initial break in. About 40,000 of the miles were pulling an RV trailer. Never have had to add oil between changes, in fact it has never even gotten a quart low, let alone the two quarts required to "get down to" the fill line.