[Ebo]

Sorry for the double post but this topic was re-posted under the w203 c-class section



I am the owner of a 2003 C230 K. In October 09, after many trips to the service department I was informed that my car had a defective cylinder head. Mercedes paid for all the parts but I paid the labor ($2,000). Less then a year later, the check engine light comes back on. The car has only been driven 3,000 miles since the cylinder head was replaced. The dealer replaced a hose a sent me on my way.

A Few months later (the present), the car is stalling again. I nearly died on the expressway when the car totally cut off. I'm receiving ESP errors and I can't even drive the car to the dealer to see what the issue is. Although, I'm pretty sure it's the cylinder head again. At times, I've had to press the gas pedal to the floor and the car won't exhilarate at all. What can I do? Has my car been recalled for these issues? Will Mercedes buy back my car? It's totally unsafe, I have a 5yr old and I can't drive the car for fear of having an accident.

 

[Sherman321]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from dealerships. Lots of good independent shops out there. As far as Mercedes buying your car back I think thats pretty much out of the question for a 7 year old car. And to qualify as a lemon it would have to have had the same problem at least 3 or 4 times.

I say find a competent indy mechanic and see what the issue with your car is and decide if its worth keeping. Sounds like you have an electronic issue with the throttle though.

 

[Streetglower]

Sorry for the double post but this topic was re-posted under the w203 c-class section



I am the owner of a 2003 C230 K. In October 09, after many trips to the service department I was informed that my car had a defective cylinder head. Mercedes paid for all the parts but I paid the labor ($2,000). Less then a year later, the check engine light comes back on. The car has only been driven 3,000 miles since the cylinder head was replaced. The dealer replaced a hose a sent me on my way.

A Few months later (the present), the car is stalling again. I nearly died on the expressway when the car totally cut off. I'm receiving ESP errors and I can't even drive the car to the dealer to see what the issue is. Although, I'm pretty sure it's the cylinder head again. At times, I've had to press the gas pedal to the floor and the car won't exhilarate at all. What can I do? Has my car been recalled for these issues? Will Mercedes buy back my car? It's totally unsafe, I have a 5yr old and I can't drive the car for fear of having an accident.

first off your car doesnt qualify as a lemon, that is only new cars with the same issue happening, etc first time srs light, 3 weeks later srs light again, 2 weeks later srs light again. your car is too old to qualify. there are no recalls on this just bulletins.

now a bad cylinder head isnt going to neccessarily cause the car to stall. on the c230's the issue with the cylinder heads had to do with check engine lights caused by worn valve seats causing misfires. now have you taken it back to have them check the car?????

 

[Ebo]

Yes, I've taken the car back. I've had the valves replaced on my car about 3 times. the check engine light goes off for a few months and it's back on again.

By the way - I know my car doesn't technically quality as a lemon. I know the term lemon only refers to brand new cars. I simply meant is it a car that is know to have numerous issues. My check engine light has been coming on for the last 4 years and Mercedes replaces a hose reset a sensor and sends me on my way.

 

[Ebo]

Also - I received a letter from Mercedes stating "its a high demand for my model of car, bring my car in and they will give me a good trade in value or buy it back completely". Maybe it's just a marketing scheme

 

[Streetglower]

Yes, I've taken the car back. I've had the valves replaced on my car about 3 times. the check engine light goes off for a few months and it's back on again.

By the way - I know my car doesn't technically quality as a lemon. I know the term lemon only refers to brand new cars. I simply meant is it a car that is know to have numerous issues. My check engine light has been coming on for the last 4 years and Mercedes replaces a hose reset a sensor and sends me on my way.

well i cant really help unless i know what codes come up when the light comes on. also i highly doubt the dealer has replaced your valves in the head 3 times. replacing valves involves pulling the head and valves just dont go bad like that. i have yet to work on a car where a valve has been damaged. newer car that is.

 

[Ebo]

well i cant really help unless i know what codes come up when the light comes on. also i highly doubt the dealer has replaced your valves in the head 3 times. replacing valves involves pulling the head and valves just dont go bad like that. i have yet to work on a car where a valve has been damaged. newer car that is.

I was told I had a bad valve which they claimed to have fixed a few years back. Then I was told that I had bad hoses which was causing something to misfire. When they replaced my cylinder header the SA said they gave me a valve job (whatever that means), but I will read the service records and let you know what all has been done. I've had the car since early 04 and the check engine light has come on every year for some reason or other. As far as the codes, I will have to ask my SA. I'm in the process of trying to locate a local shop (non-dealership) that specializes in foreign cars. Hopefully this will help.

 

[Streetglower]

its not the dealership thats the problem. dont blame a cel light on once a yr on the dealership. and a new cylinder heads doesnt require a valve job. it on requires you to seat the valves in the new head which can be done at the dealer. any tech can do it.

 

[Ebo]

its not the dealership thats the problem. dont blame a cel light on once a yr on the dealership. and a new cylinder heads doesnt require a valve job. it on requires you to seat the valves in the new head which can be done at the dealer. any tech can do it.

I know the issue is more with the car than the dealer. However, I do believe that the Mercedes service department should be a little bit more inept at repairing the actual problem.

 

[Streetglower]

understand that these cars arent that easy to fix. these cars are so sophisticated that a bad ignition wire can cause an ESP light. spend a day at the dealer and you will understand how hard some of the problems are to fix. some issues are easy others arent. you would be suprised to know that when we call the factory for help with an issue, they dont even have an answer. other times some of the stuff the factory tells us to try to fix an issue makes us scratch our heads and wonder.