[mahicks3]

Hey, guys. Just got my '98 e320 back from the dealer to get a recalled part replaced. He also gave me a service estimate. Check it out:


You have a couple different problems the engine mass air flow sensor, and for the transmission the pilot bushing is leaking and has gotten fluid into the etc control module,both the bushing and etc control module will need to be replaced,also the water pump bearing is bad and has play in the shaft. These repairs would cost about $1800.00,I will give you a brake down when you pick up car.The harmonic balancer was not involved in the recall. Also the etc control module would have to be ordered it is VIN specific to your car.I will call when the car and billing is ready.

Are these things that I could order from a website and take to an indie? What would you do? My budget is extremely limited. Let's just say, as a college student, I'd have to sell a kidney to afford the dealer rate. And no parental bailouts- I'm a libertarian.

 

[loubapache]

First of all, stay away from dealers with your 13 yer old car. They can find enough work that will exceed the value of your car.

Most probably, you do not need a new ETC (it is expensive) even if it has some fluid in it. You do need to replace the pilot bushing and it is a $10 part. Here is an entry in the sticky. While you are there,. you might want to check all of the out.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w21...mission-fluid-leak-connector.html#post2809739

Just replace the pilot bushing, check ETC for fluid. If there is fluid, take it out, clean it and dry it and put it back. 99% of the time you do not need a new one.

For the other items, what symptoms do you have? Check engine light? Divisibility issues (MAF)? Noise (water pump)?

 

[mahicks3]

I haven't noticed a noise in the water pump. As for the MAF, I did replace it last July with one from Autozone, and it didn't have any residue or anything on it. Maybe the part was just inferior. But they want to charge $187 to take the MAF out and put another in. It's like changing a light bulb...I'm a little insulted.

 

[mahicks3]

Also, he cleared the codes, but I don't know what the codes were. I'll email him to try to find out.

 

[loubapache]

I haven't noticed a noise in the water pump. As for the MAF, I did replace it last July with one from Autozone, and it didn't have any residue or anything on it. Maybe the part was just inferior. But they want to charge $187 to take the MAF out and put another in. It's like changing a light bulb...I'm a little insulted.

If he is only charging $187 for putting in a new MAF, let him do it. Actually, force him to do it for that price and ask him to keep the promise. Check the price of an OE part and you'll know why.

Dealers charge more like $500-600 for putting in a new MAF (part + labor) because they charge for a fuel adaptation afterward with their scanner.

 

[mahicks3]

That's just the installation... the part was $350. So total it would have been 190+350+$540.

 

[loubapache]

I see, it is labor only.

You need to get the car out of their hands if it is not too late.

 

[mahicks3]

Fortunately I heeded my dad's wise words and cut my losses at the diagnostic fee. I'll know to ask here first next time.

It looks like that info about the bushing and the fluid in the unit will save me hundreds of dollars. I hope I can return the favour some day.

 

[loubapache]

Good luck with it and also with college. Listen to what your Profs try to teach and work hard. The play and rewards come later.

 

[mahicks3]

I got the codes back.

TRANSMISSION CODES 65,135,147,151,161, STORED
MOTOR ELECTRONICS PO170-023,PO173-134 CURRENT AND STORED

 

[fabbrisd1]

you got codes...

Okay.. yes those engine codes refer to the MAF, and "most" MAF's sold by Autozone are rebruilt by Cardone with Bosch used bodies and new China sensors.. on the MAF codes, order a fresh Bosch OE MAF from someone like autohasuaz.com (should be under $160) and get a fresh OE air filter too. Take the Autzone MAF back for a in-warranty replacement, then tajke that new replacement and sell it on eBay for like $80 and get some of your money back.

On the tranny, you codes, and you have very good advice..

On the water pump, I have no comment..do a visual check yousefl from underneath with a good flashlight, a failing water pump normally will show some advance signs of "weeping", meaning some coolant noramlly will start leaking out thru the pump and show on the block underneath it. If you buy a replacement part, make sure you get a quality OE replacement (again, like autohausaz.com or a sponsor here) because there are some kncckoff's made in China or India that are lower quality and not worth the effort.

 

[loubapache]

As Fab said, your P017x codes are usually caused by MAF. It is worth a check to see if there is any air leak in the air intake to the throttle body. That includes the air filter housing/cover, the air intake duct connections, etc. It is most probably the MAF, though.

For your transmission, the codes still point to a couple weak areas in the design. However, only the 65 code is the active one, the rest (1xx) are intermittent codes. Plus you really do not know when these codes were stored. My advice is drive the car as is now since they cleared the codes. When the transmission exhibits any abnormal behavior, have it scanned again and then go from there. I have my take, which is at the end of this post.

065: Faulty in transmission control module --> Wiring, plug connections (RPM sensor 3 or Temperature sensor)
135: CAN: Engine management communication faulty
147: Gear implausible or transmission slips --> RPM sensor 3 or gear selector between ranges
151: Gear comparison or selected gear not attained --> RPM sensor 3 or Temperature sensor
161: This is the intermittent code for 065 (the same cause).

My take:

The common failure on these transmission is the conductor plate, which houses the RPM sensors and the temperature sensor. The RPM sensors are used to determine which gear the transmission is in so if one of the two mal-functions, the ETC will not know what gear it is in. The cause of the failure is usually an open connection so the ETC will have a bad connection as well as the CAN BUS system. In your case, the more important codes are the 147 and 151 but these are intermittent codes so the faults were not severe yet. In the past, you might have experienced some gear slipping and/or no gear shift but an engine shutdown "cured" these faults *that s by design).

Reas the transmission stickies about the conductor plate. Sometime down the road, it needs to be replaced, IMHO.

 

[mahicks3]

That's exactly right. Unreliable shifting, RPM flares and jerky shifts, and shutting down fixed it. So, I need to check the conductor plate, and replace the pilot bushing. I took the cover off and looked at the ETC, and it didn't have any ATF in there. It could be that it would be where I couldn't see it, in which case I would have to take it out, or it could be that the dealer wiped out the fluid, but the latter is unlikely, because there wasn't a $49 rag disposal fee on the invoice.

I'll have time this Thursday. I work from 16:00 to 02:30 Sunday through Wednesday, and I've been chaperoning my Boy Scout Troop all weekend.

 

[loubapache]

There is a very good chance your ETC is dry. If you want to make sure, you just unplug the two flat connectors on it. If the connectors are dry, then it is dry.