Hello everyone, new member here. I just wanna thank you for all the wonderful information you have shared so that I can save some money on easy DIY tasks!!! More money in the pocket = more money for wife to shop = points so that I can go fishing

Vehicle: 2000 ML320
Mileage: 151,000
How I drive: Mostly highway miles (80/20) with a bit of off-roading when I go fishing at Assateague Island where we can drive on the beach.

Story:

Aside from oil changes, flat tires, and filling up with gas, I have done 0 (zero, nada, zilch) general maintenence. My buddy helped my change the brake pads out a couple months ago and that was the extent of anything I did.

After discovering this forum, the mystique of MB faded and made me realize I can/should do some preventative maintenence if I wanted to get another 150,000 miles out of my little workhorse.

Tasks:

1. Seafoam: 1 can for the gas, 1 can for the oil, and 1 can for the intake manifold via vacuum line.

Very easy process, and true enough, clouds of smoke/debris came out the tailpipe!!! It just snowed and after 10 minutes of "clearing the motor", I went to see a nice little pile of black funk . . . guess that stuff really works.

2. Cabin Air Filter change

Straight forward, easy swap.

3. Cleaned the MAF sensor with CRC MAF cleaner

The 2 wires were pretty clean, took it out, sprayed it, dried it, and started right up.

4. Plugs will be changed on Sunday.

Before/After: I used to have a little idling issue . . . every once in a while I would be at a red light (regardless of whether the engine was cold/hot) and the RPMs would dip and the car would almost stall out. This is no longer an issue. Gas consumption seemed to be on the rise and I felt like I was getting less miles/fill-up. Hopefully, after I do the plugs, this will improve as well. The motor is a lot quieter and feels a lot more responsive.

Thanks again everyone, and I can answer any questions you might have.

Welcome & happy MBing

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Glad to help. You should change the trans fluid and transfer case fluid ASAP. The Transmission fluid should be #1 on your list. NOte that there is not a dipstick in the tube for the transmission (search the forum and you will see what I mean).

You should also put a coolant flush on your list.

Thanks for the heads up . . . will do. I'll also check the EGR tube that another member mentioned due to the increased oil consumption that I am experiencing. Thanks again.