Added a 05 E320 wagon to the fleet - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

P.C. · #16 05-03-2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

Any thoughts from anyone on how to determine whether the whining noise I'm hearing from the front of the engine is from the power steering pump or the a/c compressor bearing. Seems that there may be a shorter belt available that will allow you to bypass the a/c compressor and determine where the noise is coming from. It is exactly like the power steering fluid reservoir is low on fluid type noise but the fluid level is correct. The previous owner did use some power steering fluid with leak seal (versus the CHF11 stuff). I may try changing the fluid out to see what happens. I have read that alot of the time it is the a/c compressor bearing that is making the noise. If that is the case I may run it to failure.

Wife is ready to start using it every day.

I once had an a/c compressor seize and break the belt, which took the water pump belt with it. It was on an interstate on a Memorial Day weekend, and waiting 3 hours for an available tow truck definitely ruined my day. What else is driven by the A/C belt?

My mother has an old Jeep Liberty in which the PS pump was starting to whine a bit. Preferred fluid in this application is ATF+4 transmission fluid. I drained most of the old and put in a good grade synthetic ATF+4 (Mobil1 maybe?). Now even on subzero days, the pump is perfectly quiet.

engatwork · #17 05-03-2013, 11:44 AM

It is a model 211 car.

Based on what I can tell the prior owner had a rack seal leak that he used a power steering fluid that had some sealing media in it. (it calls for CH11 fluid). Pretty sure it is the power steering pump making all the fuss because of the fluid that is in it. May try changing fluid to the CH11 and see what happens. Worst case replace the pump.

Air&Road · #18 05-03-2013, 01:38 PM

Somehow I got mixed up and thought you were talking about a '95 model.

If it is the power steering pump whining, I don't think a fluid change will help it. I'm looking forward to hearing your results. Better the power steering pump than the compressor though.

engatwork · #19 05-11-2013, 08:08 AM

After looking at the whine a little closer it is the a/c compressor pulley. Got a copy of the technical bulletin and it looks like a straight forward repair. I'm going to run it like it is for the time being. Does not seem to be causing any other issue.

joegolden · #20 05-11-2013, 01:26 PM

Jim what else do you have in ur fleet these days?

engatwork · #21 05-11-2014, 04:38 PM

Car just turned over 220k miles and the wife still likes it a lot. Brake warning came up this week and it looks like the SBC has timed out. Car was manufactured in June 2004. Good timing

. Dropping it off at the dealer tomorrow afternoon.

The car is a pleasure to drive.

TylerH860 · #22 05-11-2014, 04:53 PM

They won't replace it, just reprogram it to a different expiration date so you have to pay big $$$ for it later.

engatwork · #23 11-09-2014, 07:42 AM

Looks like drivers side rear air spring has failed. Car sits down on drivers side rear over night. Will be getting into it over next week or so and post pics as I go. Thankfully the car does not have the air ride option. I'm considering going back with the spring kit from Arnott. About the heaviest thing we haul in it is the dogs.

Car is at 235k miles and is a pleasure to drive.

I have a good relationship with the local MB dealer and did not have any issue getting the SBC device replaced under warranty.

MTUpower · #24 11-09-2014, 10:05 AM

did you replace the engine at some point?

engatwork · #25 11-09-2014, 11:17 AM

I shoulda posted it but I did replace the engine with a good, used one from LKQ parts out of Savannah. Total cost on engine was $1700 which included delivery to the shop and took a w/e to swap it out. Engine was advertised as having 90k miles which I believe. It uses no oil between 10k oil changes and runs out good.

engatwork · #26 11-14-2014, 07:13 PM

Not much to the installation of the spring kit and I can't tell any difference in the way it drives and I think it rides a little better. The Arnott kit is a high quality kit that fit like a glove.

engatwork · #27 11-23-2014, 05:01 PM

Took to alignment shop and found out it needed the camber "adjustment" bolts on the front, changed them out (easy peazy) and had it aligned. Here is pic of spring installation before I let it down. Spring is substantially beefier than what is found on a 09 E320 Bluetec without the air shocks. I would recommend Arnott conversion.