[ht23]

Hi Everyone: I have a ML320 with about 200k miles on it (2nd owner). I do oil changes every 5k miles, etc. A few days ago on my way home from work, the car started shaking. So I pull over to see if I could figure out what is going on and don’t see anything I could pinpoint by simple view. I decided to drive to mechanic less than 10 miles away from where I was currently.
On my way to mechanics, when stopped at a red light black smoke started coming out of exhaust. The temperature is still normal at this point so it’s no engine related. Then I drive and black smoke goes away. I stop again and black smoke continues to come out of exhaust. I was around the corner from mechanic so I drove and smoke went away. I must note that at this point acceleration was rough (making me believe a fuel injector is bad due to bad smoke and slow acceleration).
It’s been at mechanics and he told me it won’t start at all, and that he needs to check all the wiring under the engine cause it seems like they are fried or something electrical isn’t right.
I am totally lost as to what could be wrong with my car, before this the car was fine and showed no signs of any issues, did not overheat, or have any acceleration issues. Any ideas as to what it could be? Mechanic just said he has to keep inspecting it and mentioned something about engine being stuck. Thanks!

 

[khomer2]

Hi Everyone: I have a ML320 with about 200k miles on it (2nd owner). I do oil changes every 5k miles, etc. A few days ago on my way home from work, the car started shaking. So I pull over to see if I could figure out what is going on and don’t see anything I could pinpoint by simple view. I decided to drive to mechanic less than 10 miles away from where I was currently.
On my way to mechanics, when stopped at a red light black smoke started coming out of exhaust. The temperature is still normal at this point so it’s no engine related. Then I drive and black smoke goes away. I stop again and black smoke continues to come out of exhaust. I was around the corner from mechanic so I drove and smoke went away. I must note that at this point acceleration was rough (making me believe a fuel injector is bad due to bad smoke and slow acceleration).
It’s been at mechanics and he told me it won’t start at all, and that he needs to check all the wiring under the engine cause it seems like they are fried or something electrical isn’t right.
I am totally lost as to what could be wrong with my car, before this the car was fine and showed no signs of any issues, did not overheat, or have any acceleration issues. Any ideas as to what it could be? Mechanic just said he has to keep inspecting it and mentioned something about engine being stuck. Thanks!

Welcome to BW ht23,
===>>> Please update your user CP info....

click on your icon----> click on Account Settings---->
goto Account Details----> add vehicle details---->
ADD your make model YEAR ----> click save

moving you over to the w163 forum.

Your mechanic - is he familiar with MBs?
No scan or saved codes, if any provided?

 

[ht23]

Welcome to BW ht23,
===>>> Please update your user CP info....

click on your icon----> click on Account Settings---->
goto Account Details----> add vehicle details---->
ADD your make model YEAR ----> click save

moving you over to the w163 forum.

Your mechanic - is he familiar with MBs?
No scan or saved codes, if any provided?

From what I know he is familiar with MBs. When all of this happened it didn’t throw off any codes (check engine light was not on), and he has not mentioned any codes. It is kind of a weird thing that happened. The car was running perfectly no issues and then out of nowhere does this.

 

[khomer2]

From what I know he is familiar with MBs. When all of this happened it didn’t throw off any codes (check engine light was not on), and he has not mentioned any codes. It is kind of a weird thing that happened. The car was running perfectly no issues and then out of nowhere does this.

To be on the safe side, I would still check with your indie if he did perform a scan. No CEL does not mean there are no saved error codes.

 

[ht23]

To be on the safe side, I would still check with your indie if he did perform a scan. No CEL does not mean there are no saved error codes.

I agree. I will make sure he does perform a scan to see if there are any codes. Thank you!

 

[2000 E 320 White Wagon]

Hello & welcome to the Benzworld w163 Forum !

Did you have prior knowledge of key engine fluid levels ?

Meaning Engine Oil, Coolant, power steering fluid.

Also Tranny Fluid (special dipstick tool needed, not on car)

As long as those are all OK, no lasting damage to major components should occur - and all lesser issues can be 'sorted' as you go.

Just make sure your Indy Mechanic has ability to do a "Pro Level Scan" for w163 Mercedes.

Just a regular "Oreillys / Autozone OBD2 only" scan WON'T be enough.

Most Mechanic Garages today know this...but there are exceptions.

Some General auto mechanics who are unfamiliar with German cars generally OR Mercedes vehicles specifically could be.

Please update us -

David in Texas

David in East Texas

 

[ht23]

Hello & welcome to the Benzworld w163 Forum !

Did you have prior knowledge of key engine fluid levels ?

Meaning Engine Oil, Coolant, power steering fluid.

Also Tranny Fluid (special dipstick tool needed, not on car)

As long as those are all OK, no lasting damage to major components should occur - and all lesser issues can be 'sorted' as you go.

Just make sure your Indy Mechanic has ability to do a "Pro Level Scan" for w163 Mercedes.

Just a regular "Oreillys / Autozone OBD2 only" scan WON'T be enough.

Most Mechanic Garages today know this...but there are exceptions.

Some General auto mechanics who are unfamiliar with German cars generally OR Mercedes vehicles specifically could be.

Please update us -

David in Texas

David in East Texas

Hi David,

Thank you for your response!

All fluids to my knowledge were good. The only one I can’t say with 100% certainty, is transmission since we need the special dipstick tool.

Can a scan for codes be done if the car is completely “dead”? According to Indy, there is no power or anything and car won’t start. He noted some wires under the car where engine is at, being fried. Not sure what that means.

He does have a “pro scanner” but I have to wait and see what he tells me after he finishes inspecting the vehicle.

I will update as soon as I have more information.

Thank you!

 

[2000 E 320 White Wagon]

Glad to help.

Good to hear fluids are good.

If your tranny was not slipping or shifting funny its probably fine.

Sounds like an electrical harness meltdown.

I would plug 'w163 engine wiring harness meltdown' or similar terms into Google or DuckDuckGo and see what you find.

Add 'Benzworld' and it will mostly return results from here.

To do a Scan the normal way, one needs Scan tool hooked into port under Drivers Dash & key on with all the dash lights lit.

So currently sounds like your ML may be unable to be.

Perhaps other members can say if module scans can be done even as it is.

Or maybe fried harness repair must preceed the Scan.

Im a Mid level DIY you need more knowledgeable Pros.

There are a dozen or two guys here who have "forgotten more Benz Bits than I know" lets let them comment further.

You may wish to ask a Moderator to modify your Thread Title to give more detail...

Cheers - David

 

[ht23]

To be on the safe side, I would still check with your indie if he did perform a scan. No CEL does not mean there are no saved error codes.

Update: Just picked the car up from the mechanics. It was a fuel injector that had to be replaced. I drove it home and there is a bit of white smoke still coming out but it seems that I need to drive it to clear out the exhaust. Will update after I drive around for a few days. Thank you all for your responses!

 

[khomer2]

Update: Just picked the car up from the mechanics. It was a fuel injector that had to be replaced. I drove it home and there is a bit of white smoke still coming out but it seems that I need to drive it to clear out the exhaust. Will update after I drive around for a few days. Thank you all for your responses!

We appreciate your update, ht23.

 

[2000 E 320 White Wagon]

Update: Just picked the car up from the mechanics. It was a fuel injector that had to be replaced. I drove it home and there is a bit of white smoke still coming out but it seems that I need to drive it to clear out the exhaust. Will update after I drive around for a few days. Thank you all for your responses!

That's great news, indeed.

Do you mind stating what the bill was for the New Injector job ?

They replaced one, or all of them ?

Frankly I don't recall too many comments or threads here about Injectors going bad so I don't have a frame of reference for it.

If you mechanic did the job well & on budget, you have a keeper....

Thanks - David

 

[designo?]

The color of the smoke from the exhaust is always clue and never related to any thing but the motor. Blue is bad = meaning the motor is burning oil and usually not good news at all. White like steam is also bad = more than likely a head gasket; basically steam. Black is not so alarming = ingnition or fuel related as seen in your case.

Damon