MERCEDES BENZ: Questions and answers

Mercedes-Benz Vito 2006

On my Mercedes-Benz Vito I have a bad vibration when travelling at 50mph. Could it possibly be the propshaft?

Answers

Hi, did you solve your issue? I had the same vibration. I first checked the propshaft, but that was not the fault. It was the rear wheel-bearing on mine - Clement from South Africa

Mercedes-Benz Vito 2007

What tonnage can the LWB carry? (CDI 109)

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What tonnage can a 2007 Mercedes-Benz Vito cdi 109 carry? - Matt Collinson from Australia

950 kg (Source: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Mercedes-Benz-VITO-109-Cdi-Compact-Black-Van-/330599308598)  - Phil Thompson from England

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2000

Does my Merc mwb Sprinter 308 comply with the new london emissions law?

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Around a month ago, I was sent a letter from London Council via the DVLA stating that in a few months time (January?), my 2002 Sprinter 316cdi 2.7L diesel engine will not meet the new legislation. If yours doesn’t, I presume you will also receive notification - Dave from England

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon 2005

Hi, I have a Mercedes C200 cdi on a 2005 plate, the other day my engine management light lit up orange. I had a diagnostic test done on it and it came up with particulate filter and turbo valve. I have been told the filter can be regenerated but the turbo valve sounds expensive. I hope someone can help.

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Hello Graham. I have had the same issue, were you able to get some answers? If so, would you be able to share a possible solution with me? Thanks - Mo Youssuf from England

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2007

Why have both my frontlights stopped working on my Sprinter? Could it be a fuse?

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If not the bulb, I have found the electrical connectors can become soiled and loose on older vans. Found this to be the fault on my main-beam and also the interior air fan. Solved by simply pulling the plastic electrical plug out that is found on the back of the light unit, cleaning contacts with a bit of sandpaper (very light sand) and using a screwdriver to slightly bend the metal female couplings so that they grip tighter onto the male pins in the associated socket - Robert Adshead from Berkshire

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1995

I have a Merc 308 d van and my fan belt keeps coming off even after fitting a new tensioner. The full thing, a new fan belt, a new alternator, yet it still comes of - can anybody help? (308)

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The alternator has a free-wheel built into the pulley, check that it works. Replace whole alternator and not just wheel bearings can fail after wheel has been changed - Liam F from Ireland

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon 2010

Due to the "bad winters" we can experience in this part of the country how will this rear wheel drive car cope/drive with snow and ice? Any tips for driving in this type of weather? (C200 CDI BLUE EFFICIENCE SPORT)

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Any rear wheel drive car will fare less well on snow. If you plan to drive in snow you really should fit winter tyres and carry snow chains. I have Pirelli Sottozero fitted. Just view the expense as shared between summer and winter tyres - O Guy from England

Hi, is your car automatic? I have a c240 auto and it has traction control. At low speeds it puts the power to whichever rear wheel has most grip to reduce/stop spin on the other wheel. Once there is a bit of forward momentum everything is fine. You could put something heavy in the boot to weigh down on the rear wheels. Just dont go silly with the throttle and it handles fine - David Satterthwaite from England

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2000

Hi guys! I have a Mercedes Sprinter 311 lwb. It is a great van and it truly does sprinter across the motorway. But recently i have been hearing an unusual hissing sound coming from the engine, I am hoping it is not the turbo going on it... If anyone has any idea what this noise may be please do respond. Thank you.

Answers

Iffy, these cdi engines are prone to injecter seals failing, which can make a hissing noise. Listen to the injectors with the engine running to confirm - Eddy Arnold from Kent

Mercedes-Benz Vito 2004

Hi, I have a Mercedes Vito van 111 diesel. In the morning when I’m driving the van, the engine cuts out while I am driving. It starts immediately, but it happens again and then starts immediately. Does anyone have any idea what it could be?

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Try fitting a new fuel filter, I have had diesels suffering the same problem if the filter is only changed at the recommended intervals. I now have them changed at every service, problems are caused normally by the change in the standard of fuels and resident dirt being picked up from the tank after a number of years, all my diesels are normally less than 3 years old. Hope this helps as info was passed onto me by diesel specialists as I was originally advised by Mercedes specialist the injectors were the problem which was a costly try - Paul Firmin from France

Hi Sanj, I just had the same problem. There are several reasons. From the reseach I have done it’s most likely to be an air bubble in your fuel filter, or that the old filter or "o rings " are worn out. Best check these thing first. Let me know how you get on - Gio from Italy

Do you have loads of keys hanging from your keyring? With older ignitions, it was not uncommon for the weight of a bunch of keys to be so heavy that it actually pulled the ignition barrel forwards and away from the terminals at which point the car will grind to a halt. The moment you touched the keys to restart the engine you took the weight off of the ignition barrel and it made contact again. Don’t know if this applies to modern mercs with "optical keys" - Gary Smith from Kent

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2007

Has anyone encountered a problem with the ’oil high’ light coming on at 40+ miles per hour on these motors? Only this seems to happen frequently to me and when checked the oil levels are appearing to be normal. (311 CDi)

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There is fuel getting into the oil causing the level to rise. Does the vehicle do a lot of stop start? Ozzie Morr from Cheshire

We have 9 of the 311 CDi’S on a 59 plate. We have had them from new and all of them have always had this problem. They range from 20,000 to 50,000 a year - David from Essex