R320 CDI Engine Suddenly Stalled - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

Wayne Wu · 06-13-2009, 06:09 PM

I have a 2007 R320 CDI with 18K KM on it and I just took it in for service a week ago, spending close to $800 CDN on the service.

While driving on Hwy 404 north of Toronto near Hwy-7, the engine suddenly stalled with the yellow engine light on and I could not get it restarted again. A really dangerous situation with many cars zooming by at 120 to 140 km/hr. It is really embarrsing sitting in a tow truck with the rest of my family in the cabin while the new Mercedes being towed. The glossaries were still in the trunk and the ice cream melting...

Thankfully, Mercedes service call was quick and the tow truck came in less then half a hour. It was a Saturday afternoon and we got to the dealer shortly after. The first thing the service guy did was smelling the gas cap and he said, well you seem to put gasoline in the tanks instead. I pulled out the receipt showing getting the V-Power Diesel at the bump.

After the engine scan and some checking, they confirmed that I do have Diesel in the tank. They managed to get the engine restarted but have not figure out what really happened.

They promised to give me a call on Monday since it is kind of late on Saturday. Stay tuned on more updates next week.

AsianBlackR350 · 06-13-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Wu

I have a 2007 R320 CDI with 18K KM on it and I just took it in for service a week ago, spending close to $800 CDN on the service.

While driving on Hwy 404 north of Toronto near Hwy-7, the engine suddenly stalled with the yellow engine light on and I could not get it restarted again. A really dangerous situation with many cars zooming by at 120 to 140 km/hr. It is really embarrsing sitting in a tow truck with the rest of my family in the cabin while the new Mercedes being towed. The glossaries were still in the trunk and the ice cream melting...

Thankfully, Mercedes service call was quick and the tow truck came in less then half a hour. It was a Saturday afternoon and we got to the dealer shortly after. The first thing the service guy did was smelling the gas cap and he said, well you seem to put gasoline in the tanks instead. I pulled out the receipt showing getting the V-Power Diesel at the bump.

After the engine scan and some checking, they confirmed that I do have Diesel in the tank. They managed to get the engine restarted but have not figure out what really happen.

They promised to give me a call on Monday since it is kind of late on Saturday. Stay tuned on more updates next week.

Sorry to hear what you went thru and I can feel that for you.
Please keep us update.

mitaka · 06-13-2009, 08:19 PM

Yep the mysterious CDI stall. I am pretty sure they will replace a crankshaft sensor and send you home. I always thought there is more to the problem. I would call MB customer service and document the incident. This is a major safety issue...

Wayne Wu · 06-13-2009, 08:52 PM

Mitaka, Did you have the same problem with your 07 R320 CDI? You trade it in for a 09 R350 instead?

Thanks

mitaka · 06-14-2009, 12:30 PM

Yes I did. Mine never stalled while driving. It just wouldn't start the engine cranked but no start. Had to wait 30-40 min till the engine cooled off and then it was fine. It left me stranded numerous times. When I missed an important meeting for work I said that's it and traded it in...

Wayne Wu · 06-15-2009, 06:50 PM

I called the dealer today and they still have not figured out the problem. They saw the fuel pump error code zoom by only once and it never shown up again. They have already replaced my crank shaft sensor on my last service. So, they are sending the case to their German head quarter for directions.

The JD Associate happened to mail me a survey on my R class, well I don't have any good words for it now.

Those who owns a R or M CDI should watch out for this kind of show stoppers.

AsianBlackR350 · 06-15-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Wu

I called the dealer today and they still have not figured out the problem. They saw the fuel pump error code zoom by only once and it never shown up again. They have already replaced my crank shaft sensor on my last service. So, they are sending the case to their German head quarter for directions.

The JD Associate happened to mail me a survey on my R class, well I don't have any good words for it now.

Those who owns a R or M CDI should watch out for this kind of show stoppers.

I am sure that they will find the cause and fix the problem.
In the end, still pain in the neck to have this kind of problem for you and others including the GL 320 CDI which shared the same engine.

Wayne Wu · 06-17-2009, 06:20 PM

They seem to narrow it down to the fuel pumps. For diesel cars, they use a two stage system in which the first one is low pressure while the later one is the real one that does the work creating a high pressure compression ratio of 16.5:1.

It seems like the German guys are paying a lot of attention to this case and they are still holding my R as a hostage.

At the mean while, I am getting a loaner GLK. It drive horrible compare to my R320.

BTW, the 2010 R CDI will be called R350 Bluetech instead with the same displacement.

chucelli · 06-18-2009, 09:48 AM

Wayne,
I can't find my old post right now, but I had the exact same experience as you. My whole family was in the car.. including my inlaws!
They took a while to figure out the problem, and they ended up replacing the fuel pump.
My thought was that a car should never just stall out in the middle of the road, since like you also mentioned, it is a very dangerous situation. We filed a complaint with MBUSA customer service, but didn't really get anywhere. I just pray this doesn't happen again. I hope your experience is better than mine. If you need more info, I would be glad to help...

lkchris · 06-18-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Wu

They seem to narrow it down to the fuel pumps. For diesel cars, they use a two stage system in which the first one is low pressure while the later one is the real one that does the work creating a high pressure compression ratio of 16.5:1.

Nothing to "narrow" as fuel is the only possible way to stop a diesel, as there's no ignition system. This includes, of course, all the electronics that affect the fuel pump. And the injectors are electric, too, and have to function.

This has nothing to do with engine compression but in fact the high pressure fuel pump produces something like 25,000 psi on these engines. 16.5 is in fact a lower compression ratio than typically used with diesels in the past.