[Two190]

Hi Everyone!

This whole Mercedes Bluetec settlement story just broke and I am wondering what people think.

$700 Million Mercedes Diesel Emissions Class-Action Settlement Details Announced | Hagens Berman

www.hbsslaw.com

Looks to me like Mercedes will be sending checks to current owners for between $2500 ish and $3300 ish, modifying the cars to comply with emissions and providing extended warrantees to cover the changes.

Any further knowledge, or info would be great!

 

[prrs]

I received a letter from a lawyer a few weeks ago wanting to include me on a filing... I ignored it. Seems to me that any class action lawsuit gets watered down by the time it gets to those that it directly affects the most. Ironically my car has been in the shop for almost 2 weeks now for problems with the NOX Sensor, which I replaced with new ones but the shop says they are bad.

the OM642 engine is actually a really good engine once you replace the oil cooler seals, rear main seal and redirect the blow by from the PCV to an Oil Catchcan. The last problem is really just the emissions restrictions placed on all diesels from 2011 (maybe 2010...?). Not a mechanical problem... but seems to cause a lot headaches and annoying check engine lights.

 

[Kajtek1]

Got it today '

9/14/20: CASE UPDATE -- PROPOSED SETTLEMENT
We have reached a proposed $700M settlement with Mercedes in the Mercedes BlueTEC litigation. The settlement compensates current and former owners and lessees, provides an EPA and CARB emission modification free of charge, and an extended modification warranty. Current owners and lessees can get $3,290 or more, and former owners and lessees can get $822.50.

Owners of affected Mercedes diesel vehicles can receive the following:

• An Approved Emissions Modification (AEM) free of charge and an extended modification warranty. From a separate settlement with federal and California regulators, these benefits are available even if you do not participate in the class action.
• Protection pending the modification’s effects to your vehicle. AEMs installed in affected vehicles will come with additional protection, should the AEM affect your vehicle’s performance. Affected owners are slated to receive compensation depending on whether the AEM affected fuel economy, horsepower, torque and/or other aftereffects of the emissions modification. Owners may also be able to receive payment for transportation costs in the event their installation of an AEM takes more than three hours to complete.
• Payment for Mercedes’ diesel emissions deficiencies. Under the settlement, current owners and lessees can receive $3,290 if no former owner/lessee submits a claim for the same vehicle. If a former owner/lessee does submit a claim for the same vehicle, current owners and lessees can receive $2,467.50. Former owners and lessees can receive $822.50, divided equally among former owners/lessees who submit claims for the same vehicle.
• Additional payment. For current owners and lessees who have an AEM installed, additional payments may be available under various circumstances. Owners may also receive additional payment if an AEM is not available by October 2022.

More information can be found at the settlement website, www.mbbluetecsettlement.com.

What do Mercedes owners need to do now?
To obtain a payment under the settlement, eligible former owners/lessees must submit a complete claim by the later of 75 days after the notice date, or the date the Court finally approves the settlement.

Current owners/lessees must have the AEM installed and submit a claim by October 1, 2022 in order to be eligible to receive money. AEMs will become available on a rolling basis after Mercedes’ separate settlement with U.S. authorities is approved; please continue to check the Settlement Website for updated information. You may also call 1-877-313-0170 toll-free to find out whether an AEM is available for your Subject Vehicle. For more details about the AEMs and Extended Modification Warranty, please visit bluetecupdate.mbusa.com.

In the coming weeks, there will be a Settlement Website (www.mbbluetecsettlement.com) with further information about the settlement, as well as updates about the deadline to submit your claim.

Affected Models
Affected BlueTEC vehicles include:

• E250 BlueTEC 2014-2016
• E350 BlueTEC 2011-2013
• GL320 BlueTEC 2009
• GL350 BlueTEC 2010-2016
• GLE300d 2016
• GLE350d 2016
• GLK250 BlueTEC 2013-2015
• ML250 BlueTEC 2015
• ML320 BlueTEC 2009
• ML350 BlueTEC 2010-2014
• R320 BlueTEC 2009
• R350 BlueTEC 2010-2012
• S350 BlueTEC 2012-2013
• Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter (4-cylinder) 2014-2016
• Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter (6-cylinder) 2010-2016

 

[TurboDinoPower]

VIN Lookup | Mercedes-Benz Bluetec Update

We have an update, talked to the law firm they are waiting for one more thing to file.

PITA but Im ride or die on this.

 

[tigerdog]

VIN Lookup | Mercedes-Benz Bluetec Update

We have an update, talked to the law firm they are waiting for one more thing to file.

PITA but Im ride or die on this.

Thanks for the update, TDP! I'm waiting myself, with a failed smog and not wanting to pay to replace a part that's already called out for replacement in EMC9 of the settlement doc. fingers crossed the whole thing breaks loos soon.

 

[Kajtek1]

I think you are confusing the cases.
The settlement discussed here is just monetary reimbursement and will not fix your car.
There is additional EPA recall I reported at EPA settlement for bluetecs.

 

[tigerdog]

I think you are confusing the cases.
The settlement discussed here is just monetary reimbursement and will not fix your car.
There is additional EPA recall I reported at EPA settlement for bluetecs.

Thanks for the clarification. I mistakenly thought the two were intertwined. I stand corrected

 

[Spencercpu1983]

I WOULDN'T DO THE UPGRADES IF IT IS ADDING MORE EMISSIONS CRAP ON TO IT FOR ME I WON'T BUY NEWER THAN 2005 OR 2004 WHEN EVER THEY ADDED PARTICULET FILTER AND THE WHOLE LIST OF EXPENSIVE THINGS THAT COST TO MAINTAIN. IF HAVE TO USE BLUE DEF I WON'T BUY UNLESS THE PARTICULAR MODEL YOUR LOOKING AT IS EASY TO "DELETE" THE ADDED EMISSIONS SYSTEM SOMETIMES PRETTY EASY TO DO BUT IS "DIY ONLY" AND MUST REINSTALL IF YOU SELL VECHILE. ALTHOUGH LOOKING AT THE YEAR MODELS INVOLVED PROBALLY ALLREADY THE DREDED POWER ROBING DIESEL EMISSIONS SYSTEMS ALREADY BUT NEVER KNOW IF THE UPDATES MAKE IMPOSSIBLE TO DELETE THE SYSTEM. EDIT. IF IT IS MONETARY REIMBURSEMENT WELL WHY NOT BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY ARE REIMBURSE OWNERS UNLESS THE EMISSION SYSTEMS GAVE OWNER HEADACHE BECAUSE OF MAINTENANCE ISSUES.
"HEY MERCEDES I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS DESTROYING THE PLANET DRIVING YOUR CAR YOU OWE ME MONEY" LOL

 

[Nilo Santos]

I have a 2012 ML350 BlueTec (AdBlue) diesel from California, USA. I am so frustrated with the whole BlueTec Adblue situation - remaining starts countdown, engine warning lights, etc. etc.

I recently spent a fortune replacing the heater and the pump. Now they want to replace the whole tank.

So now, I just want to remove or disable or bypass the whole AdBlue SCR system. So I can forget about it.

I am shipping the car overseas to a country where the emission is not required anyway.

Does anybody know how I can do this? Very much appreciated.

 

[Kajtek1]

Several tuners around the World offered system deletes, but in USA we have EPA, who slammed those businesses very hard and in most of the cases send them out of business.
From what I read - Canada still did not act on the issue, so google Malone.

 

[Freewalker]

Mercedes dealerships will not typically do a swap of the heater sensor element in the Adblue tank, they charge $3K or so and will change the whole tank.

The Bosch replacement part for the heating element sensor is roughly $400 for an original part and $150 for a Chinese knock off. The resistance measurements are very accurate, if off by 2 ohms or so, it will trigger the CEL. The whole tank is roughly $2.5K for the Mercedes oem part.

So it all depends on where the tank was replaced and how much you paid for it. If an independent. Ask to see the original packaging so you don’t get a knock off. The Chinese crap will not last long.

I have a 2014 at 85K miles and have gotten the P203D ODB code for the first time. Requires replacement of the heater element sensor. There are some YouTube videos on how to do it, it’s about 3 hours and should be good to go for another 100K miles or so.

Bluetecs are meant to be driven. If you do less than 15K miles a year then a diesel makes no sense and you will have more issues. If you do 20K or more miles a year, the more you drive the fewer problems most people seem to say. It’s not the engine. It’s the emissions control that’s the biggest weakness. Don’t do anything to the vehicle would be my recommendation for another month or so. If you tamper with the ECM to bypass SCR, the bluetec settlement that they are rolling out could present an issue. 2012 bluetec ML350 is probably worth around $8K-$10K. Spending $2.5K to fix it makes no sense. Sell it to the dealer, you may only get $6K or so, but then get out of the vehicle.

More frequent oil changes are better because of fuel dilution especially if you drive a lot of short distances. Do your own oil changes for about $150 in material. The dealer will charge $250 to $300. It’s pretty straightforward like any other car. Use MB spec oil or better even if from an independent. Quality of oil used makes a big difference over the long term. Some of it gets burnt in the combustion chamber through the PCV valve into the turbo. If it’s crap it blocks the EGR and everything downstream from there and then starts to screw with the amount of adblue needed to control emissions.


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[Kajtek1]

Where did you buy heating element Freewalker?
I was under impression those parts are not serviceable separately, but than not that much experience with newer technology.
The only thing that ages on Bluetecs is DEF fluid. It has pretty short shelf life and crystalized when not in sealed container.
Other than that, I was starting older diesels, who sit under the tree for over 7 years. All they needed was good battery.

 

[TurboDinoPower]

Ive had the element swapped out and I think the part was sourced from RMEuropian but there is also a Canadian guy who refurbs Bluetech parts like these. In California, the heater is hardly used and often you can add a resistor inline to spoof the element.

That said anyone doing anything else post repair to the Bluetec to prevent more issues. Atm, my def is fully clogged and the car is slow and burning a crapton of oil. I assume my turbo seals which had been replaced 100k miles ago are blown. From what I know like the VW situation car has to enter service under own power.

After the repair, I plan on double checking my PCV and considering adding a catch can.

 

[Freewalker]

Part number F01C 600 244 is a Bosch part number. Equivalent Mercedes is 166.471.0775. Rockauto.com lists it for around $400. I’m yet to purchase. But I need to and will fix it myself, so that I know it’s done right.

Talked to exec liaison at MBUSA this morning, they said that an independent web page will be set up to allow consumers to enter vin and verify identity before submitting claims. It has to be a 3rd party website for security purposes and reduce potential for fraud. It’s taking longer because it requires red tape and legal review in a time when everything is clogged up due to COVID anyways. It could take 3-6 months before the website is up and running but that is a personal guess.


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[Freewalker]

I would replace the PCV with the latest rev. That PCV valve has gone from plastic to metal and has been further revised over 20 times. It is a critical part. Replacing that is one of the best things you can do to reduce oil intake to the swirl valves through the turbo. Buy the part from a dealership not worth risking a Chinese knockoff.

I have tried putting a catch can with mixed results. Worked great till the silicone high temp hose got clogged, and sent crankcase pressure through the roof. Hose got clogged because the vapor condensed in the pipe over time and the oil catch can was at the same height as the PCV. Need to place it lower so that gravity pulls down the condensate as the engine cools.

I then said screw it, put it back to OEM as and when the swirl valves get clogged we’ll fix that. Will need to flush the inter cooler at that point anyways.


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[Kajtek1]

Part number F01C 600 244 is a Bosch part number. Equivalent Mercedes is 166.471.0775. Rockauto.com lists it for around $400.

Looks like google notify Rockauto about increased interest and the price now is $708.
Autohousaz has it for my sedan $499 Bosch 2124710575, F01C600241 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Heater; Preheater Repair Kit - Mercedes
Seems they are cheaper for ML, but then Sprinters have whole tank welded and sold for over $3000

 

[TurboDinoPower]

I would replace the PCV with the latest rev. That PCV valve has gone from plastic to metal and has been further revised over 20 times. It is a critical part. Replacing that is one of the best things you can do to reduce oil intake to the swirl valves through the turbo. Buy the part from a dealership not worth risking a Chinese knockoff.

I have tried putting a catch can with mixed results. Worked great till the silicone high temp hose got clogged, and sent crankcase pressure through the roof. Hose got clogged because the vapor condensed in the pipe over time and the oil catch can was at the same height as the PCV. Need to place it lower so that gravity pulls down the condensate as the engine cools.

I then said screw it, put it back to OEM as and when the swirl valves get clogged we’ll fix that. Will need to flush the inter cooler at that point anyways.


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Thanks Ill def have that PCV done, cant touch it till I get down for the EPA work though last time I went for a spin to keep things moving It wouldn't go past 20mph. Sad I had the entire turbo replaced during the oil cooler drama I hope its just the seals weeping this time looks like that's not to bad.

As for the timeline EPA site shows at least for a 12' x164 that

Availability of AEM
Upon Effective Date of Consent Decree

The DOJ presents the Consent Decree to the court in the enforcement action, and the court enters the decree.

So as soon as it gets entered EPA says the fixes are a go.

 

[shingleback]

DEF heaters are also available from xemodex.ca

 

[rgfreiburg]

Here is my take on the settlement.
(1) If you currently own one of the affected ML models, you will receive $3,290 if no former owner/lessee submits a claim for the same vehicle. If a former owner/lessee does submit a claim for the same vehicle, current owners and lessees will receive $2,467.50. This information comes from the Hagen Berman (legal team) class action lawsuit (see link) $700 Million Mercedes Diesel Emissions Class-Action Settlement Details Announced | Hagens Berman. To receive compensation you must file by 10/1/22.
(2) The same law firm is pursuing suit against Bosch the maker of the actual AEM device (law suit currently unresolved) and could also result in compensation. This will probably lead to an additional award for owners though I imagine that monetary award will be substantially less.
(3) Mercedes Benz will install the new correctional device and check it's viability over the next five years. They say the device works but it begs the question, why (other than cost concerns) did they not install the AEM when the vehicles were produced as it appears the technology was available at the time. It also leads to another question, what if the device does not maintain its efficacy over time? Additionally, there are concerns about the AEM device itself as evidently similar devices installed in other non-Mercedes diesel vehicles over the last several years have dramatically affected performance issues on those vehicles. So, why wouldn't the same law firm (or another) then file suit that the correctional device (though does work for emissions) unfortunately lowers vehicle performance?
I expect this to get even more murkier as we go into 2021-2022 especially if the media starts to publicize this more. In my estimation, the fall-out from this case only got about 10% (if that much) of the noteriety that the VW issue did. I'm just guessing here but if the PR for Mercedes Benz goes south than I would expect them to sweeten the deal possibly with a bit more money or some kind of special discount/trade-in incentive toward the purchase of a new Mercedes Benz vehicle.
Thoughts?

 

[Kajtek1]

about 1. The settlement is 5 years old and Hagen Berman is giving lot of promises, when it doesn't seem to move toward sending the checks.
about 2 I hope to live long enough to see the results.
about 3. MB USA will do nothing as the result of settlement. EPA makes them making recalls. I just had my Sprinter for the repairs and dealer updated ECU. Did not see it as a recall, but they did it automatically.
When SA could not tell me details what the software is about, I can only assume it improves engine management. So far don't see any difference in performance, but seems software added digital display for Cruise Control. That was not available on Sprinter before.