W210 E200 auto extreme fuel consumption?

MSVforever

Hi Guys,

Just bought myself a nice Merc E-class automatic (W210 E200 136bhp prefacelift model) a few days ago.
I am extremely happy with the car as it drives smoothly and is super comfy.

However one thing is bothering me is the heavy fuel consumption.
I have filled it up to the brim and reset the trip computer. I
was driving through Dublin city traffic over the last three days (26 miles in total) and the fuel gauge is already reading very close to 3/4.:eek:

Has anybody experience with this?

I mean wouldn't expect wonders in terms of mpg but I thought that the car would be returning between 18-20 mpg at least.
However if the needle keeps moving like this then I can expect more likely 10-15 mpg which I think is way too much for this engine. :mad:

I would appreciate any proper advice.

Thanks a lot!:)

Anan1

Drive it until the light comes on, brim the tank and calculate your exact consumption using the litres taken to fill and kms travelled.

Tomas_S

Mine does just over 20mpg in city driving. E200 auto.

burke027

You car is running rich. Possible fault is the vacuum leak in the pipe under the air box. This will cause it to run rich. One other question has the timing chain and tensioner being changed on it yet.

BrensBenz

I have the same car but, with mixed driving, I get 34ish (winter) to 39ish (summer) mpg. Admittedly, I'm obsessive about mpg, calculated the old-fashioned way - brim the fuel tank, zero the odometer, drive, refill the tank and calculate mpg from litres used and miles done. (I allow an Excel spreadsheet do the actual calculation and an Excel chart shows seasonal differences.) An unexpected drop in mpg prompts me to grab the toolbox.

You might try the usual suspects first - new plugs (I use NGK iridium), air filter, tyre pressures, etc. Also, check for air leaks between air filter, Air Mass Meter and throttle body. A very minor leak in the breather hose caused my car to bounce around my driveway and drink fuel!

There's also a font of information in Merc forums, e.g. the Merc Owners Club (UK). If that doesn't improve things, you may have to (reluctantly) bring it to Mr. Merc for diagnostics.

MSVforever

Thanks guys!

@Anan1

I will definitely follow this up. I am just concerned that the needle is moving so quick...


@Tomas_S

20mpg would be absolutely fine with me as it is a heavy car with a small engine. Is your fuel gauge moving this quick as well?
Do you know whether it makes a difference if I select the "W" position instead of "S"?

@burke027
Thanks. I will get this checked. I am not sure if the timing chain has been changed as the car is from 1999 (there weren't any receipts for this in the service history).



Cheers:o

unkel

burke027 wrote: »

You car is running rich. Possible fault is the vacuum leak in the pipe under the air box. This will cause it to run rich. One other question has the timing chain and tensioner being changed on it yet.

Jumping to conclusions much?

As anan1 implied, you can't measure fuel consumption by driving for 26 miles and reading the fuel gauge (gauges behave completely differently in different cars). You have to brim it, drive till empty (ish), fill it, make note of liters used and miles driven. Preferably do this mulltiple times to increase accuracy

I'd expect about 20MPG in town in your car, 30-35MPG on a run. Your average will depend a lot on your mix of above and on your right foot

MSVforever

@BrensBenz

Thanks!
I will use the refill method first and if the mpg doesn't improve I will give to a mechanic for a look over.

Do you know any good independent Merc specialist in the greater Dublin area?

Your mpg sounds brilliant.

Cheers:)

biko

As said, the only way to know for sure is by the brimming method.
Expect 20/25mpg.

MSVforever

@unkel & biko

Thanks guys! This puts my mind at ease. I really love cruising around with this tank (never had a Merc before; brother in Germany has a 190e and pursuaded me;)). Will give it a proper spin on the motorway at the weekend:)

Mycroft H

Have a look here for some guidance.

http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/overview/28-Mercedes-Benz/0-All_models.html?fueltype=2&vehicletype=1&constyear_s=1995&constyear_e=2002&exactmodel=e200&powerunit=2

BrensBenz

MSVforever wrote: »

@BrensBenz

Thanks!
I will use the refill method first and if the mpg doesn't improve I will give to a mechanic for a look over.

Do you know any good independent Merc specialist in the greater Dublin area?

Your mpg sounds brilliant.

Cheers:)

Just a couple of things which may or may not be relevant when brimming:

The fuel tank in our model is prone to "colic". It might appear brimmed but wait a few seconds for a burp from the filler and it will then take another few litres of fuel. This "trapped wind" once gave me a low mpg reading. Of course, errors will average out over a few readings but I do check every tankful!!

Also, I believe the fuel tank is full width, behind the rear seat. Beware filling up on a cambered forecourt!

Sorry, I'm in the Sticks and enjoy working on the "Brick" myself. The only "non-Merc" mechanic I go to is Rory Butterly, at Lusk / Rush railway station - 0184 38899/086<snip>. Otherwise, I go to Annesley Motors (Merc) on Airport Road.

Tomas_S

MSVforever wrote: »

Thanks guys!

@Anan1

I will definitely follow this up. I am just concerned that the needle is moving so quick...


@Tomas_S

20mpg would be absolutely fine with me as it is a heavy car with a small engine. Is your fuel gauge moving this quick as well?
Do you know whether it makes a difference if I select the "W" position instead of "S"?

@burke027
Thanks. I will get this checked. I am not sure if the timing chain has been changed as the car is from 1999 (there weren't any receipts for this in the service history).



Cheers:o

I have a habit of not filling the tank up full. I always put the same amount of fuel when the yellow light goes on and set od. on 000.

As for setting S or W I drive on W, S is for sport mode I think and keeps revs higher.

Idbatterim

what age is the car?

Seweryn

Idbatterim wrote: »

what age is the car?

It should be around 14, but that doesn't matter much.

MSVforever

Thanks guys!

@Mycroft H

That's very interesting. Will monitor the fuel consumption with this going forward.

@BrensBenz

Well I put around 48 litres in the car (stopped after the first click) after the yellow light came on.
So this could be it
If it doesn't improve after refilling it a couple of times then I will def contact one of those guys below!
Thanks again. It's much appreciated.

@Tomas_S

Cool thanks. I have the car on "S" as I thought that "W" would be only for proper winter driving conditions (i.e. when loosing traction, slipping, spinning wheels etc) as the car starts driving in 2nd gear (according to the user manual at least).
Will def try it.

@Idbatterim

The car is from 1999.

@Seweryn
Cheers. You are spot on:)

quenching

MSVforever wrote: »

@BrensBenz

Thanks!
I will use the refill method first and if the mpg doesn't improve I will give to a mechanic for a look over.

Do you know any good independent Merc specialist in the greater Dublin area?

Your mpg sounds brilliant.

Cheers:)

Benjamin Lichtenberg at Lichtenberg Classics will sort you out if needed. Only work on Mercedes, honest as they come, and knows his stuff inside out.

MSVforever

@quenching

Great stuff. Thanks.
Very helpful that he is German as my "technical" English isn't the best:D

MSVforever

Hi Guys,

A quick update here.
Fuel gauge is not the most reliable tool for even getting an idea of the mpg...

At the moment I am averaging 18-20 mpg with 90% Dublin City Centre driving/crawling.....) Not too bad imo.;)

Will get a proper service done (including the change of gearbox fluids).
See what happens then.


Cheers