groovzilla

i'm looking at purchasing a used 1998 mercedes ml320 for skiing and hauling our kids and found a nice local example however the owner explained that she is experiencing a problem with the CEL light comming on...she claims that when she bought the suv last year she used regular grade fuel for the first couple of weeks not realizing she was supposed to use premium grade...the car wasn't running well and the CEL light came on...she took it in to service and they fixed the problem but now whenever she fills the car with fuel the CEL light comes on for one day then goes out...this always happens when she fills up with fuel.

any ideas??

BlueHeeler

I would post this in off topic for a bigger audience.

klr10

I'm definitely no expert, but I had an identical problem a few years ago with a Saab 900. It turned out to be a bad petrol cap seal, which was allowing air to be sucked in by the emission system (charcoal canister, etc). A new cap fixed the problem after spending a fortune chasing all sorts of ideas....

klr10

BTW, you could ask them to try a little Vaseline around the petrol cap rubber seal and see if it stops doing it (that was what proved it for me).

springer3

I have an ML 320 and do not recommend it. Get a GM SUV and you will have a better vehicle. I have owned seven Mercedes over the years, and all are fantastic cars except for the ML. Mercedes took a mostly "hands-off" attitude to the locals hired to design and build the ML. As a result the Alabama plant is not even close to German standards for design and build quality. Do not get me started about the $600 fuel filter mandatory upgrade and several expensive problems that should be warranty items on a low-miles $50,000 vehicle.

Read the code. You can get an evap emissions code if you over-fill with fuel. If the problem goes away when you fill up but stop a gallon or two short, you are over-filling or have a bad fuel level sensor.

groovzilla

appreciate the feedback...i understand these ml320's require service...the one i'm interested in has all service records and has been really well maintained...

has 135K miles and she just spent $5000 on new radiator, tranny switch, alternator, brakes, tires, full service w/tune up and oil change.

so alot of the bugs have been taken care of. over the years including a sh_tload of electrical replacement parts.

i can get it for $4000 and perhaps even lower as she wants to get rid of it bad as she bought a new 2009 mercedes SUV.

do you still think i should stay away?

buck_31

I have a 1999 ML, and unlike most have had mainly trouble free (knock wood) miles (95k). I know I am not the norm for this model. I believe it was more build and component quality versus design (I think design was handled out of Germany). I actually think our 1999 is more functional (a little larger, 3rd row seats to ferry extra kids...) than the new ones but that's just my .02 Regarding your issue with the CEL, it sounds like the gas cap, I had a similar issue about 4 months ago and it was a leaking gas cap seal. Good luck!

Tom W

I had a '99 ML430 for 7 years and it was great. My wife loved her big purse on wheels. I used it to tow my 18' open trailer & the car but traded it for a Chevy Silverado/Duramax when I got the 24' enclosed.

The CEL comes on with a gas cap problem too. Had to have that replaced once to eliminate the CEL issue.

Kahdmus

I have a 2000 ml320 and its been an amazing car that has served my family with distinction. The earlier MY's, especially the '97, however were known for having a few teething problems'.

The CEL light can be a royal PITA. I think it was the MAF last time that had to be replaced (it needs replacing far too often imo). However the car is easy to work on and parts are readily available new and used.

There are some great forums at Benzworld.com. You need to look at the w163-m forum for a 1998 mclass:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class/

Goof luck and let us know what you decide.

Kahdmus

Oh btw, remember you can hook up a cheap ODBII code reader and read the codes very easily for this car without the need for a $3000 Bosch hammer!

(the plug for the code reader is on the drivers side on the top of the footwell and benzworld can help interpret any codes or possible causes for them)

groovzilla

appreciate the advice...i test drove it today...noise from power steering pump and crack in windshield....i think i can get this baby for $3500

exterior is perfrect (silver)w/dark grey leather

i'll let you know what i decide to do

regards,
william

springer3

That is a lot of car for $3500, especially if $5000 in repairs were just completed. If it's too good to be true.....

Kahdmus

+320

groovzilla

i want to make sure the power steering noise is not the steering rack or steering pump....also want to make sure the CEL code can be cleared so i can get it thru emissions...when i test drove it yesterday the CEL light was out so the owner was honest in letting me know that the light comes on for about a day when it is filled up at the gas pump.

the steering rack and pump are a $1500-$2000 job so if the above checks out ok i think i will buy it.

real nice woman owns it who is willing to have the above checked out..

should know by next week...