[tesdavis]

Just about to buy a 95 e320 convertible. I think I have done a fair share of research about the Head gasket issues, etc. I just read a post on wiring harness issues with e320's. Would that apply to the convertible as well?

Thanks for any help

 

[Kestas]

Yes... same drivetrain.

Those are the two biggest systematic issues. This info can be used as a bargaining tool when dealing. But they are fixable, so don't let it deter you from buying an otherwise fine automobile.

 

[Dohockey]

Hi Kestas and TesDavis

How bout positng a shot of your Cab's?

Here's one of my 95 E320

 

[sportscartiki]

hi all. new to this forum, but not new to these cars. i am dealer and have sold nearly 200 MB's in last 10 years. am very curious anout these "problems" listed on your forum of head gask. & wiring harness as relates to 94-95 3.2 cars.

96-up V6 cars another thing altogether.

having many of these e-class in our shop over the years, gasket was a known issue on early 3.0, 2.8, 2.6 88-92 190/300E/300SE. wiring harness issues in E class were in our exp. primarily limited to the E400-500 V8 cars.

only consistent elect. 'problems' we've faced in 94-95 cars is burn-thru/grounding of ign. wires as routed thru retainer lugs, that cheezy radio volume problem, & other minor things.

having bought /sold nearly 50 94-95 E's in past 3 years, i'd like to hear more specifics. maybe i got the 50 "good ones"???

 

[Kestas]

Engine Wiring Harness Problem

Welcome to the forum.

Back in that era, MB had this great environmental idea of making wiring insulation from material that biodegrades in the landfill. The problem is that this insulation degrades during vehicle ownership. After 7 years or so the insulation gets brittle and spalls off resulting in mysterious spurious shorts and driveability problems. Apparently MB did not thoroughly test this product before production.

Often this brittle insulation isn't a problem until it is traumatized - as during a head gasket replacement - where the wiring gets flexed.

My notes from other posters show this problem spans the following models:

-All 1993-1995 M104 engines including C280's, 300E (3.2's and 2.8's), E320's, S320's.
-Also 93-95 111 (C220) & 119 (S420, S500) engines.
-Also 90-95 500E models.

I would appreciate it if members would help me update this list.

Sportscartiki, this is the first I hear of the ignition wire problem. Could you give more details on this. I like to head off any issues before they become problems.

 

[sportscartiki]

RE: Engine Wiring Harness Problem

yes. we found this problem after many hours of frustrating diag. trying to determine misfiring on a 94 E320 sedan with approx. 110k miles. the ign. wires are routed to the plugs via a valley in the head cover. they are held in place by projections cast into the head cover. we found that some wires had deteriorated on the underside & were grounding out intermittently to the head. the tell-tale sign of this is a white spot on the wire. certainly made for a much cheaper fix than ign. coils! even a dab of liquid -lectric tape works for cheap bastards!

 

[sportscartiki]

RE: Engine Wiring Harness Problem

yes. as i mentioned, am very familiar with this gasket problem on earlier cars as usually evidenced by a wet R/F engine block, but have had no appreciable complaints with 94-95 series cars. rumor had it back then that the 3.2 version was partially designed to alleviate this.

as for the wiring harness, i have been aware of this issue and have heard many reports of $1500+ repair bills for this especially as it related to malfunction of ABS/ASR. also have knowledge of $3000 diag. bills from MB dealers which did not indicate harness but rather modules. have also seen many instances where simple alternator output problems gave same indications. would agree that there are many vague areas here that can be costly to derive.

 

[Kestas]

RE: Engine Wiring Harness Problem

Note that some mechanics refuse to diagnose driveability problems until the original wiring harness on these cars is replaced, whether it fixes the problem or not. Also, defective wiring can take out an expensive electrical module through these spurious shorts. That's why others and myself recommend replacing the wiring harness regardless of the car's condition. It's not a question of whether it needs it or not, but when.

On the head gasket, I understand it's the rear passenger corner that starts leaking. The front leaks are typically from upper timing cover leaks.