Hi - So my check engine light has been going on and off for at least the last year or two. It’s been to the dealer a couple of times and they have not been able to diagnosis the problem until recently when on 4/8 they told me they found 2 problems.
(1) the “valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked”. They apparently fixed this under the extended warranty for the vent value - they installed a plug and performed a software update - NO CHARGE. I picked up the car. The light was off. A few days later the “Check Engine” light came back on. I brought the car back to the dealer yesterday (4/21). The second problem (which he noted on 4/8 and he was able to confirm) was a “sensor that is part of the gas tank”. This repair will cost $4,372. The service advisor I spoke to was not able to tell me what would happen if I didn’t do the repair. When pushed he said, the first thing that would “probably” happen would be the fuel gauge would not register but that the car could also have problems starting. Apparently, this error is all tied into the electronics.
I guess I’m just looking for validation before I replace the gas tank.
I appreciate the advice.
Rather than relying on the dealership, I suggest that you look for an independent foreign car specialty shop. Don’t tell them what the folks at the dealership said, and allow the indy guy to diagnose the problem himself.
He just might come up with a different “fix”, but even if he comes to the same conclusion as the dealership did, his gas tank replacement costs will surely be a lot less expensive.
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My wife made the same suggestion and something worth considering. Thanks for taking the time to get involved.
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If you’re not already in a Mercedes-specific internet group, I think it would be a good idea to join one. Another MB owner might have some helpful suggestions, based on his own experience with a similar problem. And, you could use that type of forum for suggestions on indy MB shops in your area.
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The check engine light means that error codes are stored in the computer, and the dealership should have scanned for those codes. Do you know what the specific codes are/were? You can check you invoices.
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Bingo, we have a winning suggestion.
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The repair from 4/8 was covered under warranty and I have an invoice from that visit (“P052E71 The valve for crankcase ventilation has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked”). Is the “P052E71” the error code? During this visit, they apparently read another code from the computer that identified the issue with the sensor in the fuel tank, however the 4/8 invoice does not give a code for that “recommended” service. I never thought to ask the service manager I spoke with this morning (The car is at the shop now) what the error code was. I suppose when I pick up the car, whether or not I go ahead with the repair, the invoice will have the error code. We’re still contemplating picking up the car and bringing it to an independent foreign car specialty shop so things are on hold at the dealer. If it would help, I’ll give him a call and ask for the code… Thanks
That is was. What would be handy to know is the code that has them wanting to replace the gas tank. Codes are starting points for diagnosis rather than being diagnoses themselves.
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