smartchoice: I REALLY DISAGREE WITH YOU ON THIS....FORUMS LIKE THIS ABOUND WORLD OVER, WHILE DIAGNOSIS CANT BE DONE ONLINE VALUABLE INFO CAN BE ACQUIRED AND NECESSARY CONTACTS ALSO.

Gee2728: that's y u are smartchoice,u are right on point. We put our issue here so as to find pple with similar experience so as to know what our mechanics will work on. Don't want any1 experimenting on my car I need 2 know a starting point so I agree with u all the way. Most of the info I find online are confirmed by mechanic I rly hate 2 take my car 2 the workshop blindfolded I like 2 have an idea on wat am dealing with.

Trac:

You are sort of being twisty. Your definition of "valuable information" will have to be disclosed. How can something be resolved without diagnosis?

I believe it is unfair to term all Nigerian mechanics as bad and incompetent; inept to work on a Mercedes. You have to depend on the internet for your vehicle's upkeep. The formula should be clear now [that] if the internet gets suspended, you really can't help yourself. Having a vehicular-relationship with a mechanic is still an essential in today's civilisation. This cannot be usurped. There are dodgy mechanics; disturbingly true! It does not account for the great majority as Nairaland falsely claims.

There is only so far you can work on your vehicle. The internet can only give you (and that's at a limited degree) the basics. It cannot eliminate the need for a qualified mechanic. Diagnosing a vehicle cannot be imitated. Haven't you questioned why there are so many issues per unit volume online? It is always the same set of people "exaggeratingly-speaking." They must be doing something right the mechanics are yet to figure.

It is the same internet a patient used as a source to refuse his/her doctor's prescription after the diagnoses was discuss. The patient had a print-out of a solution obtained from the internet.



How would you know if your car is experimented upon or not? The underlining fact is that a qualified professional should be sought. Once he is proven as reputable, you'll be wasting your time worrying if you are being experimented upon or not.

No good mechanic worth his ingenuity would listen to a customer's advice on how the service-to-be vehicle should be solved. An exception is if you've been previously evaluated and expectations were met/exceeded. The symptom(s) is/are all needed for the mechanic to begin. It will be a waste telling what the problem is and how they should go about resolving it.

You also have to be practical. There are times "they" will get it wrong. You will have to endure till it's done right. This sounds illogical but it's the right thing. I'm not talking about pumping money into random hypothesis-to-be-carried-out but the support. You should be willing to pay in tips for their time performing the remedials. This is what I do - including my support.

Cars are isolated constructions. They are driven by different people. The different people drive them differently for different purposes at different limits. You cannot have a one-size-fits-all hypothesis/solution for most of the problems people resort to online. That's not practical. Moreover, it is abnormal on these cars (and most cars) to constantly be working on them (repairs).


Anyone offering any kind of solution on the internet must follow-up thoroughly. Though there is satisfaction doing so, the time constraint and feedback limitations makes it non-worthwhile.

otoidea: Omo... Guys can type for Africa ..

Trac:

-- long time! How is the overall performance of your C Class?

smartchoice:
Have you called Chibuzor?

Gee2728: yes I did bt we are 100,s of miles apart lagos-kaduna. He sounded a very nice fellow. Still planning 2 try other options dwn here.

kuntash:

yea bro! been kool, she drives it , my bit is just to make sure its in top shape...

kuntash:

yea bro! been kool, she drives it , my bit is just to make sure its in top shape...

kuntash: ^^^^^^ thanks alot , I do appreciate!

tommysparks: Hello benz users, I use a C240 W203
My problem is dat d fuel cuts at 1/4 tank I have to refill d tank before d car starts. D car was jerking my mech checked d fuel filter it was filled wit dirt so I changed it and had him wash d fuel tank now d jerking has stopped but d fuel now cuts and d car won't start when it gets to 1/4 tank. Pls anyone with such experience should tell me how he solved his own cos I want to minimise trial and error from our local mechs cos once they touch ur car wit guess work its always one problem to another.

tommysparks:
thanx guys it turned out that the hose from the fuel filter to the fuel tank was connected wrongly hence only one tank was supplying the car. it took my mech some time but he traced it afterall. now my benz is in good shape once more.

Trac:

It's all good. A few preventive maintenance to prepare for in the coming future:

* Gear lever bushing (a few minutes with the appropriate tool)
* Neutral switch (30 minutes)
* Fuel pressure sender (30 minutes)
* Oil pressure sender (30 minutes)

The above are minor repairs. The gear lever bushing is responsible for the resistance as you scroll through the gates; that is from P to 2. The bushing cost almost nothing and the labour is mostly done as a courtesy. Without the appropriate tool, it's not a pleasant experience and the service technician will charge a service fee. If your vehicle is not automatic, don't worry about this. Scrolling through the gates should not be silky but tactile. As the bushing gets to ultimate failure, the lever will have unintended composure (play at gates). I can't tell you what happens when the bushing completely fails. What I've mentioned is bad enough and every scroll will only be getting worse. The neutral switch should be replaced with or without failure at this point. You will hate it because the problem is very clever. The fuel pressure sender is responsible for the fuel reading at the cluster and the oil pressure sender for the oil reading.

If you plan to still keep the car many years from today:

* Fuel pump replacement
* Water pump (no less than 5 hours with professional tools: Genuine MB strongly recm'd or Bosch)

Both fuel pumps should be replaced. Use Bosch. One of the signs to this is when you attain a large centripetal force (turning). Vehicle will stall in the middle of the turn. This is one of the two warnings. The other will leave you stranded till the offending pump gets cool.

Water pump: This is a major repair and one extremely critical during service. The tensioner will need to be replaced at this age. The caution at this repair: the thermostat will have to be replaced because the pressure off the new pump may prematurely cause the thermostat to fail. The bolts cannot be reused. They are aerospace-grade bolts. New bolts will have to be purchased for the pump replacement. The serpentine belts cannot be re-used (even if they look good) partly due to a phenomenon called "relaxation." New fluid should be reinstalled. I'm not sure how long the service will be on your model but it's almost a full day's work on 6 cylinders and up.


These are the few preventive maintenance for your Merc's age and milestone. None are to be done now. You have a four-to-six year window for these preventive maintenance. Certain "rubbers" (bushings, etc) may look good (even fresh) but they may be worn. Remember, German rubber standards are somewhat rather peculiar. You can add the overlay voltage protector and the voltage regulator to the list. They defy standard diagnosis by giving smokescreens; especially the suppressed ones.

Trac:

It's all good. A few preventive maintenance to prepare for in the coming future:

* Gear lever bushing (a few minutes with the appropriate tool)
* Neutral switch (30 minutes)
* Fuel pressure sender (30 minutes)
* Oil pressure sender (30 minutes)

The above are minor repairs. The gear lever bushing is responsible for the resistance as you scroll through the gates; that is from P to 2. The bushing cost almost nothing and the labour is mostly done as a courtesy. Without the appropriate tool, it's not a pleasant experience and the service technician will charge a service fee. If your vehicle is not automatic, don't worry about this. Scrolling through the gates should not be silky but tactile. As the bushing gets to ultimate failure, the lever will have unintended composure (play at gates). I can't tell you what happens when the bushing completely fails. What I've mentioned is bad enough and every scroll will only be getting worse. The neutral switch should be replaced with or without failure at this point. You will hate it because the problem is very clever. The fuel pressure sender is responsible for the fuel reading at the cluster and the oil pressure sender for the oil reading.

If you plan to still keep the car many years from today:

* Fuel pump replacement
* Water pump (no less than 5 hours with professional tools: Genuine MB strongly recm'd or Bosch)

Both fuel pumps should be replaced. Use Bosch. One of the signs to this is when you attain a large centripetal force (turning). Vehicle will stall in the middle of the turn. This is one of the two warnings. The other will leave you stranded till the offending pump gets cool.

Water pump: This is a major repair and one extremely critical during service. The tensioner will need to be replaced at this age. The caution at this repair: the thermostat will have to be replaced because the pressure off the new pump may prematurely cause the thermostat to fail. The bolts cannot be reused. They are aerospace-grade bolts. New bolts will have to be purchased for the pump replacement. The serpentine belts cannot be re-used (even if they look good) partly due to a phenomenon called "relaxation." New fluid should be reinstalled. I'm not sure how long the service will be on your model but it's almost a full day's work on 6 cylinders and up.


These are the few preventive maintenance for your Merc's age and milestone. None are to be done now. You have a four-to-six year window for these preventive maintenance. Certain "rubbers" (bushings, etc) may look good (even fresh) but they may be worn. Remember, German rubber standards are somewhat rather peculiar. You can add the overlay voltage protector and the voltage regulator to the list. They defy standard diagnosis by giving smokescreens; especially the suppressed ones.

Gee2728: ur spot on abt the engine noise, acceleration and fuel consumption. Its an auto shift and I got it scanned and code P1236 (magnetic compressor clutch) is that compressor fixable or straight replacement?

ninz: Hello guys, I have a low budget and am torn between buying a Benz 190, a C-Class, or Audi 100 (A4).
Pls advice which is best in terms of maintenance, durability, and performance, in descending order.
Grateful.

ninz: I honestly have no idea though there are lots of Benz's and Audi's here, the A4 isnt very common.
Also, as this will be my first car, which wud u advice in terms of low maintenance, etc?
Tanx

ninz: Wow...! A million tanx, bro. Most helpful. I guess i'l stay with d 190 for now as I cant afford d luxury of studying the quirks of d C-class for now as a hussling ride. ;-)
The 190 will just do but what do I choose between carburettor and injector? and any idea how much a full-option goes for in Lagos?

I really appreciate.

kuntash:

Are you buying a Tokunbo, I mean a used car, but not in Naija... ?

where is your location ?- I ask because of the easy access to parts and competent mechanics/electricians

The 3 German choices of cars are ok... but being ur first car, I would advise u review d questions I have just raised.

I would prefer a C-class to a 190, because that car wont give u problem if u have a good one and a nice maintenance habit, where it beats the 190 more is on the fuel consumption... remember its ur first car.

ninz:
Well, i'd go for a tokunbo if d price is within my reach else I make do with a Naija-used.
Am in Akwa ibom, I believe we shud hav a few competent mechanics.
Honestly, I admire d C-class but, all those hi-tech issues i've read about here has gotten me scared.
..and I may not afford those regular maintenances u talk of.
Have u driven a 190?
Au. hanson has both the 190 and the C-class, he advices I go for the 190.
What do u think?

smartchoice: Given your purse n location the 190 tokunbo will not be a bad idea. But I'd counsel you to buy an injector system. All the advices so far are valid.

au.hanson:


My Brother, i am not comfortable with you going for the naija-use because you could hardly find the one that has not been so much tampered with, except you are ready to correct all the wrongs and ills of years done to it and that could equate the same amount you could have bought a good toks, and u may pick the car with a very bad fuel economy(except if u were to buy mine, but then all my benz are for keep..i can't sale them..they are my toys..see my benz190 https://www.nairaland.com/1087033/reliability-c180#12872210. I marvel people that keep neat 1953 etc Benz cars in top shape. It intrigue me to see older benz looks like they were manufactured today, that's how my cars are..i like keeping them)..Tokumbo full option(injector based) is about 450,000.00, Lagos price...The carburetor based is an older technology to the injection system , the injector system performs faster and could achieved better fuel economy if properly maintained and not tampered with, but could be the worst if tampered.

I didn't advice you to go for benz 190, but only made you to realise your choices based on the prevalent local circumstances to inform your decision taking.

au.hanson:


Sorry my Dear, just saw this now..its been long i haven't come here, cos i've been too busy, neither do i receive email notification on this

However, you need a new kompressor clutch..alternatively you can get a rebuilt one with clutch if you cant find the part. This will definitely solve your problem if you haven't solved it already. if it doesn't, just kindly let me know, there's just one more thing that could follow, i don't want to mention here yet untill you do that so that i may not sound like i am eliminating problems for you,else i believe this would definite solve your problem.

I fix my cars myself; it saves me a lot of time and money; i learnt from my bitter experience of leaving my car in a useless garage for months wasting my hard earn money and time; if i go to Mech, i tell them where the problem is and what to replace, i don't care what anybody may say after all ..in as much as i always get it right and my cars keep running all year round in top shape. Good luck