"Black Death" has reared it's ugly head again. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 12-26-2019, 04:10 PM

I bought this car almost three years ago, and repaired the worst case of "Black Death" I have ever seen.
'05 CDI injector "Black Death" adventure
I did an oil change and replaced the heater valve in it today, and noticed the BD starting again. I will order the parts kit, and do it next time my niece is here (she lives about 80 miles away, and is here for Christmas). I am hoping it will not be as hard of a job as it was the first time. I will add to the previous thread when I get the parts, and she has time to visit again......Rich

merc lover · #2 12-26-2019, 07:05 PM

I hate to appear unlearned, but what is "Black Death"?

ROLLGUY · #3 12-26-2019, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merc lover

I hate to appear unlearned, but what is "Black Death"?

Click on the link in the first post.

engatwork · #4 12-26-2019, 07:15 PM

It is where, on the CDI cars combustion chamber gasses pass through the seal between the injector and the head, turning it into, what to me, resembles asphalt. I have not seen it on the later model v6 diesel engines so don't know if it happens there or not.

Actros617 · #5 12-27-2019, 04:31 AM

So looks like this is going to be a reoccurring/normal maintenance thing, ouch, perhaps pouring baby powder or soapy water (not recommended as it can rust your injectors) around the injectors to check for leaks every oil change as a indicator before black death occurs.

However i think there is a better solution to this, some of the sprinter guys with the I5 OM647 (basically a OM648 with 1 less cylinder) they were using thicker injector seals from a Honda I-CTDI or I-DTEC PN: 16472-RBD-E00 with interesting results, in theory thicker crush washer makes it more resistant to combustion pressures and supposedly seals better.

Downside is from a performance and reliability aspect is unknown as, there is a 3mm-4mm increase from injector seat and may affect proper combustion into the piston cup.

engatwork · #6 12-27-2019, 05:36 AM

Replacing the seal is really not that bad of a job as long as you have the correct tool and get everything cleaned up good. On the first one I did I had used an ebay (Chinese) puller and unfortunately gouged a chunk out of the valve cover. I had to replace the valve cover. A quick mod provided better clearance on the tool. Lesson learned.

On the CDIs that I service I leave the cover off where it is a little easier to keep an eye on this issue.

merc lover · #7 12-27-2019, 08:16 AM

What is the cause of black death?

sloride · #8 12-27-2019, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merc lover

What is the cause of black death?

Small amounts of atomized diesel fuel being forced past injector seat on compression cycle then baking into tar on cylinder head/manifold over time. Not noticeable as a leak due to the small amounts, but over time builds up.

chasinthesun · #9 12-27-2019, 09:49 AM

It has a copper ring that seats the injector into its placement , these slowly wear out letting exhaust gases and soot up to the top of the injector , it can seize an injector in its hole . Some cases are unrepairable . I’ve seen were a puller was devised , diy built , using 2 bottle jacks , and a rigged platform to pull the injector out by forced effort , How you clean out the hole once the injector is out must be another trick .

chasinthesun · #10 12-27-2019, 09:51 AM

It’s common service with fleet type sprinters with the higher mileag coming on .

merc lover · #11 12-27-2019, 10:58 AM

once the damage is repaired, is there a way to prevent black death from occurring?

ROLLGUY · #12 12-27-2019, 12:12 PM

#3 cylinder was the worst on mine the first time, and it appears to be the same one this time. It is possible and most likely that I did not get the seat cleaned good enough. However, it is nowhere near as bad, and should be easily repaired.