Hello everybody!

As some of you might have followed one of my threads, I had the pleasure (cough) of replacing the ETA on my '94 E420. Seeing as how others on the forum have ETA's (and harnesses with faulty insulation that MB knows nothing about), that may be subject to "failure", I thought I might pass this little tidbit on.

Check your oil!

I just happened to check mine for no particular reason, and about had my eyeballs pop out when I saw the oil on the dipstick about 4 inches above the full mark. (holy crap!) Rapidly going through scenarios in my mind as to how it got so high, I decided to test one theory and sniffed the oil. It smelled of fuel.
O.K, so how did it get there? I *think* it was during its repair time. During the period of several weeks, we attemped to start it several times (tried different modules until it was realized the rebuilt ETA was DOA) and had it running for a few - it ran very very rich...black smoke that would make your eyes water.
Well....apparently it ran SOOO rich that it must have somehow leaked past the pistons. Either the injectors came on with the ignition or during cranking and "running" so much fuel was injected that it had to leak past.

Whichever the case may be....Please, if you have ETA troubles or trouble with related systems (those that could decide inject copious amounts of fuel), check your oil level!

I haven't driven the car much, so I am hoping that minimal to no damage was done. I did notice that it idled a little rough, but wrote that off on a dirty MAF (which may still be the case - will post after I change oil, if there is any difference).

-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D