2013 s350 BLUETEC: a Carmax saga - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

thelazzarusman · #1 11-24-2020, 11:59 AM

All--

It's been many, many years since I've posted here. I've owned and driven plenty of diesels over the years, but joined the world of gasoline in 2015, only to be tempted by this beauty several months ago: https://www.carmax.com/car/18625628?adcode=EM_XferShipped

I paid the fee to have it transferred from Denver to Tampa, and went to see it for the first time yesterday. First impressions? Filthy. Missing the hood star. Clearly not ready for viewing. However, she's gorgeous and mint inside out, and I could forgive appearances given the number COVID has had on the used car market and the corporate world.

The kicker? After my full visual inspection inside and out, I started the car to examine the mechanicals more fully. She started and idled well for a few minutes, then bucked, kicked, knocked, and died.

One of the junior junior junior "associated" had filled her with GASOLINE.

Embarrassed and mortified, the salesman had it rolled to the back to drain and clean the fuel system. He refunded me the $1500 I had paid for the store transfer, and promised to talk with me after Thanksgiving.

My thoughts have varied from "take the money and run" to "demand a year of extended warranty and see what happens." Should the damage be irreparable, they might just write the car off.

My question: is there any hope for this brown beauty (or my wallet)? There's absolutely nothing else at issue with this car. The mileage is low and the price is/was right. Please talk me in or out of proceeding. Thanks!

Damon

pawoSD · #2 11-24-2020, 01:30 PM

I'd avoid it and run. Sounds like it wasn't taken care of by previous owner(s).

t walgamuth · #3 11-24-2020, 01:45 PM

I might try for a two year extension on the warrenty. Looks like a nice car to me. The gasoline can damage the injection system on a diesel but it sounds like yours didn't run more than a few minutes idling before it died.

jay_bob · #4 11-24-2020, 01:56 PM

I had a misfueling incident on a 642 back in 2014, but it did not cause the engine to die. I think (but cannot prove) that the Diesel UST at the station was mistakenly topped up with gasoline. This combined with my tank being about 1/3 full meant that I had a weak mix of gas to diesel. I could smell it when I opened the filler cap. The engine really didn’t seem to mind, and it’s had about 50k miles on it since then. At that point I had my 603 and 606 cars, and it just so happened that all 3 needed fuel on the same day so I filled them all at the same station on the same day. The prechamber engines really hated the mix, when the engine was stopped warm and restarted the gasoline would vaporize in the IP and vapor lock it. Once it cooled down it started and ran fine. The story: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355251-98-e300dt-om606-wont-start-when-hot.html

Sounds like here the car tank was probably nearly empty and got a full tank of gas. This may have been enough to cause engine damage particularly since it stalled out.

If the rest of the car is in good shape (dirty and no hood star can be attributed to being transported cross country) and you are going in eyes wide open, and you are not intimidated by the systems in a 642 and have the means to diagnose issues, I would go for it if the price is right. Right price in this case would be below 10k.

If you decide to do business, I would also make it a condition that the Max flatbed the car to the local MB dealer and have them do a complete purge on the fuel system and bless the car’s health. These have a dual saddle tank and it is not easy to properly flush things out. Plus you have to get all the bad fuel out of the HP pump, filter, rails, injector lines, and injectors.

Also I would verify that you would be eligible for any relief under the consent decree for the Bluetec system due to when you would be acquiring the vehicle. If you are not going to be covered you may want to pass.

cl600 · #5 11-24-2020, 02:47 PM

Hope you look at all the current lawsuits going on with the diesels right now.

I have a 2012 S350 and have had SO many issues with the diesel.

At least $5,000 in repairs that were not covered by my extended warranty.

I would NEVER buy this car. Luckily I am part of the main lawsuit and will try to get them to buy this POS back from me.

The car has brakes that are not adequate, sluggish acceleration, more expensive A-B services.

If you think the mileage is great, it is, but the other repairs FAR outweigh the savings. I WISH that I would have purchased a S550.

DO NOT BUY A S350 2012-2013!!

Just my 2 cents.

Also, if you joined the class action at least you can get around $3,000 back from MBZ. If you dont take the class actions you can get alot more.

Good luck!

Brent

ah-kay · #6 11-24-2020, 02:53 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. Take $10k off and take it home.

GregMN · #7 11-24-2020, 03:48 PM

You have the opportunity for a do over....

thelazzarusman · #8 11-25-2020, 06:53 PM

Thanks, all, for your perspectives and advice. I'm going to see what I can negotiate on Friday (or whenever I see the car again). The good news is I'm out zero dollars and have no obligation but to my automotive intuition.

I'll report back soon.

D

psaboic · #9 11-26-2020, 12:33 PM

FWIW, I would back away and not look back. Our 2012 ML350 Bluetec has the same engine and emission systems, and it has a big yellow sticker by the fuel cap that says "Not to use gasoline as even a small amount can cause serious and permanent engine and fuel system damage". This warning is repeated several times in the owners manual as well.

Even though it only idled, the fact that it died on its own tells me that a LOT of gas must have been put in the tank and only a small amount of diesel was left. A diesel will run on up to about 30% gas to 70% diesel. IT will not like it but it will run.

They may drain the system, refill it, and the car may run ok, but to me it is now a ticking time bomb. Price out fuel system and emission system repairs and see if you are wiling to take that risk.

If you do not buy it, could you post the VIN number and possibly the Carmax outlet you were going to buy from to give other forum members a head's up in case they look at it. I'm sure if you do not buy it they will just put it up for sale again and never warn anyone it was mis-fueled at one point.

thelazzarusman · #10 11-26-2020, 12:42 PM

Psaboic—

The s350 is in Tampa, and the vin is WDDNG8DB0DA529577. Gorgeous car, and if ruined, such a waste.

Damon

psaboic · #11 11-26-2020, 03:17 PM

Well, it may or may not be ruined, but I personally would not take a chance on it. In perspective, anything can usually be repaired if and when it breaks, it is just a matter of it being economically feasible.......Thank you for the VIN and location.......

pawoSD · #12 11-27-2020, 12:41 AM

The high pressure fuel pumps don't enjoy a solvent with zero lubrication properties going through them (nor do extreme precision injectors)....the damage has been done, even if its not yet evident.

Diseasel300 · #13 11-27-2020, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

The high pressure fuel pumps don't enjoy a solvent with zero lubrication properties going through them (nor do extreme precision injectors)....the damage has been done, even if its not yet evident.

This is exactly the issue. It doesn't matter how long the engine ran on the gasoline, the fuel system is now screwed. At a very minimum, new high pressure pump and new fuel injectors. Extremely expensive parts, and that's assuming that the gasoline burning didn't damage anything sensitive in the exhaust stream or cause problems in the cylinders.

Given all the other expensive issues these vehicles can have, this particular example is one to RUN (not walk) away from unless you're just a masochist.

jay_bob · #14 11-28-2020, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

Given all the other expensive issues these vehicles can have, this particular example is one to RUN (not walk) away from unless you're just a masochist.

That is another point. The S class has the air suspension, guaranteed you will be replacing air struts and compressor before too long.

S class gets all the fancy toys that become failure points after time.

I suspect this vehicle will be in the hands of Copart or LKQ before long. Maybe someone can snap it up and do a 642 swap on it from a wrecked contemporary model MB. I wonder if one of the YouTubers out there will take it as a project (LegitStreetCars, WatchJRGo, Hoovie and the Car wizard??).

thelazzarusman · #15 11-28-2020, 09:28 AM

After careful consideration, I took the transfer refund and ran. Air suspension and other S-class “goody” repairs I can handle (I have two w220 s500 sedans), but an engine time-bomb I can’t. I sincerely hope the vehicle doesn’t get sold to an unsuspecting buyer.

The hunt continues!