B Service - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-24-2002, 01:21 PM

I'm planning on doing B Service on my '98 ML320. I looked through the service book. The only thing I see in replacing is oil, dust filter and checking coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid levels. Everything else is checking things like brakes, lines, hoses and etc. Am I missing something? I thought there would be more to B Service. Also, where can I find a repair manual or a service cd for 98 ML320? I looked in the FastLane and didn't see it.

Thank you

G-Benz · #2 10-25-2002, 04:03 PM

There really isn't much as far as any replacement parts is concerned...mostly fluids and filters. Then, a thorough check of the ML to ensure a clean bill of health.

The tech will also alert you to anything that needs attention, like worn brake pads. I like being informed of anything that needs attention, since I don't always have time to this myself. Then I can choose to either let them do it, or go home and deal with the issue myself.

#3 10-26-2002, 02:26 PM

Thanks. I think I'm just going to change the filters and top of fluids myself. I'm sure the dealer has a service that will look over a car to see if anything is wrong. Hopefully it won't cost $375, the cost of a B Service.

What about a repair manual or a service cd for that year ML? Has anyone been able to find one?

Thanks

#4 10-27-2002, 10:34 AM

Also rotate the wheels, replace the wiper inserts (or complete blades) , lubricate the throttle ball stud, hood latch,
silicone spray the door seals, check and most likely replace the air filter, pull the Aux fan fuse and make sure it's not blown, replace
if so, and add distilled water to the battery. Your going to have
to partially pull up the hold down to access the middle cap.

Emmett

tabo · #5 10-28-2002, 10:20 AM

I believe the service books will be available to the public 4 years after they stop production of the ml model =( and they're still making em now =/

Lewis · #6 10-29-2002, 08:59 AM

Cedestech, what's the throttle ball stud? I thought the drive by wire throttle had no lube points, but mine is definitely getting a bit sticky. Is this on the gas pedal linkage or something and what does it get lubed with? Also, when my aux fan fuse was blown, it was caused by a shorted wiring harness which had to be taped up a bit. Apparently this is fairly common on the ML, so try to figure out if you've got that problem or you'll be popping in a new fuse every time you refuel.

#7 10-29-2002, 10:04 AM

If there are no service books or service cds how would a novice mechanic figure out what's where in a ML? And please don't tell me I have to go to the dealership.

Thanks

#8 10-29-2002, 06:44 PM

If you open the hood, look over, above and to the left
(your left not the trucks) of the master cylinder you'll see the throttle cable attached to the throttle potentiometer.
Using a needle nose plier carefully grab , twist and pry up the ball socket off the stud. Clean out the old grease and dirt, lube with your favorite grease, reattach. It the throttle feels "sticky"
it could be the cable itself. You can use a motorcycle cable luber or buy a new cable.

Open up the fuse panel under the hood. Easiest way with out breaking the tabs is to apply pressure to the tab and slap down on the cover with the ball of your other hand. This compresses the seal enough for the tab to release. look at the diagram and
see which fuse is labeled for the aux fan. Pull it out and inspect
it. if it is open(blown) sepperate teh 4 pin connector at the
aux fan, if there is water present then blow dry adn pack the connector with dielectric grease and reassymble with another
30 amp fuse. If it occurs again you have a bad motor or
need the updated harness(free if your still under warrenty).

50% of all ML's are running around with blown aux fan fuses.

Emmett.

Lewis · #9 10-29-2002, 10:31 PM

Emmet, thanks for the details. I'm on it tomorrow.

Gilly · #10 10-30-2002, 09:29 PM

An easier way to tell if the aux fan fuse is blown is to see if the rear window washer (not wiper, washer) is inop. They are on the same fuse. Of course, it could be the rear washer pump is blown or you are out of washer solvent (what, another leaky tank!?), but the same can be said for the aux fan of course. Just because the fuse is NOT blown doesn't neccesarily mean the fan motor works.
Incidentally, speaking of washer tanks, the original 5 liter washer solvent tanks are now unavailable from Mercedes, you have to install the newer style 7.7 liter tanks. Which aren't a whole lot better, just larger.

Gilly

#11 10-31-2002, 05:30 PM

Thanks a lot for the info. Yet some more questions. How hard is it to change the fuel filter and the spark plugs? I'm close to 75K, just bought it about 10K back. Not sure if this was done or not. I figure I'll change it just to be on the safe side. Is the air filter the same thing as the dust filter? If not are they easily eccesible?

Thank you.

Gilly · #12 10-31-2002, 07:31 PM

The air filter and dust filter are 2 different things. They are both easy to do. The engine air filter is under the hood behind the right (passengers side) headlight.
The climate control dust filter is under the dash on the passengers side, you just need to remove the dash-colored panel under the dash in the passengers side footwell to do it.
The spark plugs aren't too hard to replace on the ML, there are 2 per cylinder, so you need twice as many plugs as you have cylinders.
The fuel filter can be a harder job because the ML fuel system and filter underwent a modification a little over a year ago. The original filter is no longer available from MB, the new filter is longer. The fuel lines were also changed and need to be installed to complete the modification. In order to do this, you need to access the top of the fuel tank, which requires removing the drivers side (left side) of the rear seat. Then the carpet is lifted up in this area and a glued down lid is removed, I use a heat gun to soften the glue to allow easy removal and reinstallation of this lid. Once the lid is removed, the lines to the in-tank pump can be removed and the new lines installed. This was all done to change the plumbing of the fuel. The return fuel from the regulator is now ran through the filter once again, they belive that this extends the fuel pumps notoriously low life span. I have to admit I haven't been replacing as many fuel pumps lately!

Gilly

#13 11-01-2002, 10:03 AM

Thanks Gilly. I just spoke with the service advisor at the dealership. He quoted me $451 to replace the fuel filter and do the modification. The guy also told me that unless I'm having problems with the fuel system, he wouldn't even recomend me change the fuel filter. Even though the service book states to change it every 60K or 4 years. What's up with that?

Thanks

Gilly · #14 11-01-2002, 09:02 PM

I'll tell ya what's up with that. The guy you talked to has some odd ideas on maintenance of vehicles in general, and Mercedes-Benz in particular. Get the fuel filter and spark plugs replaced, assuming (on the plugs) that it's over 4 years old.

Gilly

Darkmann · #15 11-07-2002, 12:46 PM

GB, on the fuel filter, does the system have to be depresurized and represurized to accomplish this maintenance? I recal from my Nissan, that was the way. About the plugs, don't they have to be changed at 100K?