W212 Archives - The Jam Journal

Automotive

Mercedes Gearbox / Battery Reset – E Class W212/S212

James4 months ago4 months ago06 mins

Ive seen a lot of talk about doing a ‘gearbox reset’ or ‘battery reset’, normally amongst conversation regarding gearbox problems. Gearbox problems can be not changing gear, holding onto gear till high RPM, delayed engagement or harsh / erratic gear change. Occasionally people report issues after having a gearbox service.

But what does ‘gearbox reset’ or ‘battery reset’ actually mean and is there some truth to it?

As always focusing around the E Class W212/S212 generation, although the whole discussion dates back a while as we will discuss further on. Mercedes transmissions adapt but

Image of glow used glow plugs from an OM642 engine

OM642 Glow Plug Replacement

James7 months ago2 weeks ago04 mins

Typically, with a glow plug fault you will be getting a glow plug warning light coming on, sometimes flashing and perhaps an engine management light. In Rimgaudas case, no codes or dash warnings, just some white smoke in the mornings.

They are notorious for snapping on removal but normally with the engine hot, they will come out.

W212 S212 E Class Common Problems

James9 months ago9 months ago011 mins

As I’ve experienced the 212 now for a number of years, here’s a compiled list of common problems and a minor insight into them. Based upon my experience at an independent specialist + forums / Facebook. If you can add to the list, please comment and will happily add to it.

What Oil Should I Put In My W212 E-Class

James2 years ago2 weeks ago13 mins

Introduction When it comes to oil, its a bit of slippery slope if you just put anything in. By not using the correct oil the most probable future problem is carbon build up, probably in the exhaust/DPF, maybe in the EGR system or in the inlet manifold. Using the right oil (at the right intervals)…

W212 ECO Stop/Start & Additional Battery

James2 years ago2 weeks ago05 mins

Introduction I’ve heard & read a lot about how people think the ECO Stop / Start & additional battery works and it’s time to set the record straight. I think that the most common misconception around this is, that it is this battery restarts the engine once its stopped. It doesn’t. Glad I’ve cleared that…

W212 OM651 E220 Coolant Leak – Fuel Filter Housing – Common Problem

James2 years ago2 weeks ago04 mins

Whilst this problem is not just limited to the E Class, it is certainly a common problem on the OM651 engine.

Many a time we come across the customer complaint of coolant light coming on, but no obvious leak. There are a few usual suspects, namely the coolant pump or thermostat housing, but one of the more common ones was to find the leak coming from the fuel filter housing.

S212 E350 E Class – Rear Suspension Dropping

James3 years ago2 weeks ago08 mins

About three month ago, when it’s very cold, the rear drops together overnight. Then it becomes more frequent, will drop like 5mm per hour. The compressor still kicks in to rise the car and it will be find throughout any journey.

2016 W212 OM651 E-Class Now Up to 350,000 Miles / 7 Years Old – What’s gone on

James3 years ago3 years ago05 mins

3 years a go I posted this: Running A 2016 W212 M651 E-Class Up to 300,000 Miles / 4 Years Old – What’s It Like. This post mainly was about the life it had in previous ownership, however the last three years have been my use. My use of this car was always going to…

2015 W212 E-Class OM651 Air filter Replacement (Low MPG)

James3 years ago1 year ago04 mins

On a whole since i had a engine ECU software update back little while ago (was done as part of NOX sensor replacement procedure) its not been so great. From what I read on FB groups it seems to be “a thing”. The gist is that

OM651 (W212) Intake / EGR Diagram & Part Numbers

James4 years ago2 weeks ago02 mins

Pretty much as requested for member of the W212 Owners Club on Facebook, gasket part numbers and prices. I have included affiliate links to eBay searches for each part number – please support me if you can! Sometimes parts pictured are not nessacerrily fitted to the vehicle. Prices are correct at 01/03/2022. (genuine all plus…

W212 Facelift Headlamp Lens Replacement

James4 years ago2 weeks ago04 mins

A light knock on the headlamp can result in a cracked lens – this is not good with modern headlamps as the electronics inside will get wet and eventually lead to failure of the control units and / or the actual lamp itself. As an example, in the case of the W212 facelift with option…

Understanding Mercedes Assyst Plus Service Display / Workshop Codes

James6 years ago2 days ago188 mins

“My Mercedes is due a service.”
“Ok, do you know what service it’s due?”
“I’m not sure, I think its a ‘A’… 3 something?”
Mercedes Benz service codes can be a bit of a pain to understand at first. But by the end of this post, hopefully all will be a bit clearer.

W212 E-Class & Apple CarPlay / Android Auto

James6 years ago2 weeks ago010 mins

Most of you have probably come from the Facebook W212 Owners Club group interested in getting Apple Car-Play / Android-Auto working on your W212 E-Class, especially that i noted that i got it all working for free, which is true, however probably won’t be for most people. Although with the help of this info I’m pretty sure that ANY independent Mercedes specialist (with the right diagnostics equipment) or dealer for that fact will be able to get it working on the vehicles that have the right hardware already installed in the car. (And hopefully i can guide you to a solution if it can’t be done on the hardware you have).

Running A 2016 W212 M651 E-Class Up to 300,000 Miles / 4 Years Old – What’s It Like

James6 years ago6 years ago07 mins

This particular car is one I’ve recently purchased, its now on 310,000 miles, I’ve had it since around 308,000. I purchased from a chauffeur, my work has done every single service & defect repair. Its a 2016, W212 Facelift, SE Premium, Standard Suspension, Obsidian Black, M651 Engine. Its worth noting that there are many different options.