Has Mercedes Always Been This Bad?

[gingerfold]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There is too much electronic gizmos on every modern truck marque. One of my 18 plate DAFs is constantly showing an amber engine management warning fault. It has been into the dealers several times but they cannot permanently clear it, it's known as a phantom fault, or in other words they don't know what's causing it. They now think that it's a wiring fault and on its next service they are going to try and find the faulty wire. Good luck with that one I say.

Returning to my original post. The Actros in question finally went back into service yesterday, two weeks and one day after breaking down. They must have done something to it because the engine now sounds quiet and smooth rather than the usual Merc Actros crackling and uneven running noise they usually make.

[pete 359]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There is too much electronic gizmos on every modern truck marque. One of my 18 plate DAFs is constantly showing an amber engine management warning fault. It has been into the dealers several times but they cannot permanently clear it, it's known as a phantom fault, or in other words they don't know what's causing it. They now think that it's a wiring fault and on its next service they are going to try and find the faulty wire. Good luck with that one I say.

Returning to my original post. The Actros in question finally went back into service yesterday, two weeks and one day after breaking down. They must have done something to it because the engine now sounds quiet and smooth rather than the usual Merc Actros crackling and uneven running noise they usually make.

H Graham,
I agree 100%,cars are exactly the same,dealers frustrated,not nearly as much as the owners! Ironically,whilst at a hauliers yard only yesterday,He told me that another of their 19 plate 480 Actros’was in having a new engine,the second one since May.A previous post made a good point in saying that it’s every automotive brand.
Regards Andrew.

[Frankydobo]

That is true Graham the modern truck is a different animal to what many of us were used to. Its not electrics its electronics, in other words everything is operated by ECU's (maybe up to half a dozen or more spread around the chassis) which also means a computer is needed to look for and trace, hopefully the faults that come up, I say hope fully because as your Merc Technicians will have found it may only tell them the engine has an injector fault, not which one so there is little that can be done but replace them all. Due to common rail systems now its not possible to carry out the sort of manual diagnostics we could do previously like disconnecting separate injectors to trace the dodgy one. The fuel pressures used in these systems are extremely high and dangerous and as you say sometimes a fault comes up for no reason and cannot be traced sometimes it may even mean changing different components to solve it, not very economical. As for Dealerships nearly all have suffered in the last ten or so years from struggling to find Fitters of a good standard and many employ foreign workers, not that they are any less capable but there is sometimes the language problem. Fuel filters as you mentioned do indeed require more regular changing in these systems, on the Volvo Fire Appliances I worked on before retirement we changed them every six months and on Annual service along with the other oils and filters. These filters have a hand operated primer and have to be pumped up 250 times to fill the housing before the filter itself is placed in and secured, many of the lads had problems re-starting these vehicles until we sussed the right way, a real pain in the butt. Just a brief explanation of how things are different hope it helped. Franky.

[gingerfold]

The latest update on this troublesome Mercedes Actros. Since it went back into service after the injector problem...if it ever was a problem? The truck failed again going into limp mode and had to be recovered to the Mercedes dealership. They diagnosed a NOx sensor fault and replaced it, which was another 3 working days lost and a 4 figure invoice. I told our main depot that I wanted the truck replacing, so yesterday it was doing its last job for me with the driver scheduled to change into another unit at our main depot. And guess what, it went into limp mode again, running on about 3 cylinders and had to be towed in. The Mercedes dealerships obviously haven't a clue what's wrong with it. It's now six weeks since it first broke down and we're no nearer to a solution.

[kevmac47]

The latest update on this troublesome Mercedes Actros. Since it went back into service after the injector problem...if it ever was a problem? The truck failed again going into limp mode and had to be recovered to the Mercedes dealership. They diagnosed a NOx sensor fault and replaced it, which was another 3 working days lost and a 4 figure invoice. I told our main depot that I wanted the truck replacing, so yesterday it was doing its last job for me with the driver scheduled to change into another unit at our main depot. And guess what, it went into limp mode again, running on about 3 cylinders and had to be towed in. The Mercedes dealerships obviously haven't a clue what's wrong with it. It's now six weeks since it first broke down and we're no nearer to a solution.

A few years ago an owner driver on Tyneside had his Merc lettered up, " Actros prone to catastrophic engine failure". He drove it with this legend on it for some time, until Merc finally did something about it. Regards Kev.

[cav551]

Detroit Diesel , who make this engine, used to have a good reputation but this thing is a piece of junk. Have a look at Francisco Amaya's YouTube channel for a whole series of videos depicting the thing's failings.

Edit: purely for interest, one issue relevant to engine derate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQZ56r11AZw

[Carryfast]

Detroit Diesel , who make this engine, used to have a good reputation but this thing is a piece of junk. Have a look at Francisco Amaya's YouTube channel for a whole series of videos depicting the thing's failings.

Didn't go through all of them but it looks like electronic Emissions system faults seem to be a major factor ?.While some say that Cummins also seem to have fallen into a similar downward spiral while CAT decided to give up altogether.Also I wouldn't start with anything that's OHC/CIH anyway which seems to just leave the MX and a decent starting point.

Having said that it's obvious that 'Detroit Diesel' now just means Merc in all but name.

[dieseldog999]

dealers are quite keen to spend your money as you have no option once you have given it to them.
if the laptop says 6 injectors whereas reality and common sense says it cant be all six,then the fitter,(itl unlikely be a mechanic) will just do what the laptop says and make it easyier than removing and testing single ones.
they dont want to get their hands dirty and only want to service brand new trucks,so its whatevers easiest that the computer says with no personal thought proccess.
i had a 540 actros full auto for 3 years without major mishap but for any problems it went back to the n.i dealer for,then it was a waste of time as they were useless and indifferent to fix anything.
the clutch exploded once abroad and it was a 2 day fix which was bad enough,but at least it got fixed correctly.
quite often its the service desk bod that decides what the fault code relates to and instructs what part to replace which is common practice and pathetic in relation to costing you a fortune.
if you get a problem truck,then all you can do nowadays is sell it asap and buy another as the more modern the truck,the more unreliable they become and impossible to repair.

[DEANB]

Out of intrest Graham did Mercedes offer you a unit to use whilst yours was off the road ?
You would think a company as big as Turners would have some power but it just goes to show that manufacturers dont
care anymore when you look how you have been treated.

Main dealers are awful these days but unfortunately because the modern trucks are so complicated most of the smaller
truck garages that alot of us used have now disappeared.

[ramone]

Out of intrest Graham did Mercedes offer you a unit to use whilst yours was off the road ?
You would think a company as big as Turners would have some power but it just goes to show that manufacturers dont
care anymore when you look how you have been treated.

Main dealers are awful these days but unfortunately because the modern trucks are so complicated most of the smaller
truck garages that alot of us used have now disappeared.

I would imagine supermarkets would be one of the very few who have any clout , i remember speaking to a rental boss about ASDA who said they were an appauling company to work with.There attitude was we buy so many lorries from you we won't pay for damage on your rental side

[TDL102]

From Mercedes Benz website



Following a call to Service24h, if you have a Euro VI Truck with a complete service Contract or a Complete Service Contract with Uptime, in the unlikely event that your vehicle is not repaired within 24 hours and you require a replacement vehicle, we'll replace it like-for-like or provide financial rental equivalent.

We stop at nothing to keep you moving

[gingerfold]

Out of intrest Graham did Mercedes offer you a unit to use whilst yours was off the road ?
You would think a company as big as Turners would have some power but it just goes to show that manufacturers dont
care anymore when you look how you have been treated.

Main dealers are awful these days but unfortunately because the modern trucks are so complicated most of the smaller
truck garages that alot of us used have now disappeared.

No it's down to the local dealership, which is part of a group, and even if with all the hassle I don't even know the name of any senior manager in the dealer. The service manager and his service reception team are too far down the pecking order to make a decision. All we can do both at my local level and nationally within the company is vote with our feet and not buy any more of the evil pieces of crap (to quote CAV551). I've only got 5 Mercs left at my depot now and they'll be gone by Christmas. We're also withdrawing all Mercs from Scotland, the Bellshill dealership is worse than my local one, which takes some believing.

My partner has a Mercedes car and we've just spent a small fortune on repairs for that. She does like the car but I've told her it's got to go...only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

[gingerfold]

From Mercedes Benz website



Following a call to Service24h, if you have a Euro VI Truck with a complete service Contract or a Complete Service Contract with Uptime, in the unlikely event that your vehicle is not repaired within 24 hours and you require a replacement vehicle, we'll replace it like-for-like or provide financial rental equivalent.

We stop at nothing to keep you moving

I would sue them for misrepresentation under the Trade Description Act

[ERF-NGC-European]

From Mercedes Benz website



Following a call to Service24h, if you have a Euro VI Truck with a complete service Contract or a Complete Service Contract with Uptime, in the unlikely event that your vehicle is not repaired within 24 hours and you require a replacement vehicle, we'll replace it like-for-like or provide financial rental equivalent.

We stop at nothing to keep you moving

I would sue them for misrepresentation under the Trade Description Act

No need to sue: just report them to the Office of Fair Trading. Robert

[Carryfast]

My partner has a Mercedes car and we've just spent a small fortune on repairs for that. She does like the car but I've told her it's got to go...only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

Look on the bright side she'll probably lose her licence before it needs any work done on it.Go for a Monaro instead and get the bonus of almost non existent depreciation.

[kevmac47]

[quote="gingerfold"



Look on the bright side she'll probably lose her licence before it needs any work done on it.Go for a Monaro instead and get the bonus of almost non existent depreciation.

More rubbish from the 'DRIVELMAESTRO' wtf is he on about now?

[cav551]

An extemely scruffy and very rough sounding 63 reg Turners' Merc appeared today with a load of Kappa, on what looked like a brand new Jack Richards trailer. It was so bad I just wondered if it got back before it expired.

[Munchkin]

only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

Where's the problem there?

Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk

[gingerfold]

An extemely scruffy and very rough sounding 63 reg Turners' Merc appeared today with a load of Kappa, on what looked like a brand new Jack Richards trailer. It was so bad I just wondered if it got back before it expired.

The '63 plates are all high mileage units to be fair, typically 1.2 million Km, and they are being replaced. They do sound rough at the best of times, I had wondered if they have a different cylinder firing order to such as DAF, Volvo and Scania engines?

[gingerfold]

only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

Where's the problem there?

Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk

errr... cost... I bought a new Mondeo Vignale 12 months ago... with hindsight I could have got a Mustang for not much more cost.

[ramone]

only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

Where's the problem there?

Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk

errr... cost... I bought a new Mondeo Vignale 12 months ago... with hindsight I could have got a Mustang for not much more cost.

I've got a mint S90 Inscription for sale Graham all the toys top spec low miles full dealer service

[Carryfast]

[quote="gingerfold"



Look on the bright side she'll probably lose her licence before it needs any work done on it.Go for a Monaro instead and get the bonus of almost non existent depreciation.

More rubbish from the 'DRIVELMAESTRO' wtf is he on about now?

I'll try to make it simpler for you.

Mustang,like most American stuff = relatively more reliable than kraut junk.

It's also quick ( assuming proper V8 spec ) to the point of being a licence loser.( Speed is addictive ).

While a Monaro/VXR8 is as quick and holds its value better than a new Mustang let alone a Merc.Probably because of the easier to work on old school pushrod motor.

Hope that helps.

[Carryfast]

only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

Where's the problem there?

Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk

errr... cost... I bought a new Mondeo Vignale 12 months ago... with hindsight I could have got a Mustang for not much more cost.

That's still not a 'problem' that's a good thing in favour of US imports in favour of German.Especially if we take the silly import taxes and hidden quota barriers off the US iron.

[Star down under.]

My partner has a Mercedes car and we've just spent a small fortune on repairs for that. She does like the car but I've told her it's got to go...only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

Look on the bright side she'll probably lose her licence before it needs any work done on it.Go for a Monaro instead and get the bonus of almost non existent depreciation.

You could do a lot worse.
https://images.app.goo.gl/XKmZHtAvh3AnotQf6

[[zb] anorak]

only problem is she says she wants a Mustang to replace it.

Where's the problem there?

Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk

errr... cost... I bought a new Mondeo Vignale 12 months ago... with hindsight I could have got a Mustang for not much more cost.

I've got a mint S90 Inscription for sale Graham all the toys top spec low miles full dealer service

You reckon she'll want a Foden?

[Fergie47]

Gingerfold. ...when the seddon Atkinson came out with the new
E10 Cummins we had a problem with one that would go either 10 miles or a 100 the stop, after a time it would start up and do the same....IN to the workshops, changed all the electronics, wiring, injectors, you name it, it got changes.
One night the night shift foreman , having sat and thought about all this, decided to go back to basics.......he found the fault after a few minutes, a plastic glove dropped in the fuel tank, kept getting sucked up to the supply pipe, then after waiting a bit, float off around the tank

Embarrassing wasn't the word

Not saying of course this is the problem, but everyone seems to go for the "electronic " side, and 6 injectors all awol naaaaaaaa,

[gingerfold]

Gingerfold. ...when the seddon Atkinson came out with the new
E10 Cummins we had a problem with one that would go either 10 miles or a 100 the stop, after a time it would start up and do the same....IN to the workshops, changed all the electronics, wiring, injectors, you name it, it got changes.
One night the night shift foreman , having sat and thought about all this, decided to go back to basics.......he found the fault after a few minutes, a plastic glove dropped in the fuel tank, kept getting sucked up to the supply pipe, then after waiting a bit, float off around the tank

Embarrassing wasn't the word

Not saying of course this is the problem, but everyone seems to go for the "electronic " side, and 6 injectors all awol naaaaaaaa,

The problem with "technicians" (they're not mechanics nowadays) is that they will only do what the diagnostic computer tells them. There won't be a diagnostic tool in the computer programme that tells the "technician" to look in the fuel tank

[robthedog]

Gingerfold. ...when the seddon Atkinson came out with the new
E10 Cummins we had a problem with one that would go either 10 miles or a 100 the stop, after a time it would start up and do the same....IN to the workshops, changed all the electronics, wiring, injectors, you name it, it got changes.
One night the night shift foreman , having sat and thought about all this, decided to go back to basics.......he found the fault after a few minutes, a plastic glove dropped in the fuel tank, kept getting sucked up to the supply pipe, then after waiting a bit, float off around the tank

Embarrassing wasn't the word

Not saying of course this is the problem, but everyone seems to go for the "electronic " side, and 6 injectors all awol naaaaaaaa,

The problem with "technicians" (they're not mechanics nowadays) is that they will only do what the diagnostic computer tells them. There won't be a diagnostic tool in the computer programme that tells the "technician" to look in the fuel tank

You know what you’ve got to do on Monday then

[Carryfast]

Gingerfold. ...when the seddon Atkinson came out with the new
E10 Cummins we had a problem with one that would go either 10 miles or a 100 the stop, after a time it would start up and do the same....IN to the workshops, changed all the electronics, wiring, injectors, you name it, it got changes.
One night the night shift foreman , having sat and thought about all this, decided to go back to basics.......he found the fault after a few minutes, a plastic glove dropped in the fuel tank, kept getting sucked up to the supply pipe, then after waiting a bit, float off around the tank

Embarrassing wasn't the word

Not saying of course this is the problem, but everyone seems to go for the "electronic " side, and 6 injectors all awol naaaaaaaa,

I like that logic.Where do 6 seperate items,all unlikely to fail together,reach any point in the chain where they all rely on one single point/thing to make them work/receive fuel.

[gingerfold]

It's in dock again...and the Mercedes dealership where it is now are saying that it needs 5 new injectors. Still it's an improvement on 6.