CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Non-repair car talk
kevm14
Posts: 15349
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

kevm14 wrote: Sun May 19, 2024 9:00 pm It does NOT seem to have mirror tilt in reverse or I couldn't figure it out. Have to RTFM I guess.
No mention of this in the manual.
Adam
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Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by Adam »

kevm14 wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 8:36 pm - I think it needs a thermostat. It struggled to get above 180 and mostly was below that. These use a modern/fancy style that is somewhat electronically controlled.
I found the expensive thing. Those are $150 as they come with a sensor/electronic fitting and the metal housing.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merced ... 2732000415
OEM is $190.
kevm14
Posts: 15349
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Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

Now look up OEM at Warwick. Mercedes Benz parts shop.com. OEM is almost always cheaper there than FCP. Local pickup or ship.

Here, OEM is $145: https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... OC1nYXM%3D

Or in this case, OEM is about the same as aftermarket.
Adam
Posts: 2257
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:50 pm

Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by Adam »

Well then. Still a pricey thermostat.
kevm14
Posts: 15349
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

Moar pics.

Look at all the Mercedes products.
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Investigated the rear sub rattle. Same issue my S550 had (I guess this is an H/K thing). The spider detached from the perimeter (my S550 was only a partial detachment). All it needs is some carefully applied rubber cement.
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This probably impacts low beam performance. It's the reflector. Either the car had higher wattage bulbs installed at one point which cooked the reflector, or FL.
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kevm14
Posts: 15349
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Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

Right headlamp assembly (halogen). OEM to OEM.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merced ... 2098203061
https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2098203061

Hella right side (possibly OEM anyway?). Same price as genuine at the link above.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merced ... 2098200661

Left, OEM to OEM. Not available and not available. Perfect.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merced ... 2098202961
https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2098202961

Hella left side
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merced ... 2098200561

Looking at about $260 per side (but for OE quality - and Rockauto seems to only carry HID projectors). eBay has some left ones that are cheaper and possibly inferior. Right ones not a lot of options at the time I looked. This is probably a more down the road item. And I personally can't stand bad headlights. But one thing at a time. Posting for reference.
kevm14
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Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

More quick thoughts on the car.

I do like driving it. I think it reminds me of my E55. It has that more airy 90s greenhouse. Plus the naturally aspirated engine response sort of reminds me of my E55 (not as violent but a lot of that torque at any RPM feel is there, plus the "OMG how fast are we going" feeling when you wind it out). I could totally rock this as a daily EXCEPT I still cannot stand the coupe form factor. It's the long-ass doors, and the kind of useless back seat I guess. But the car itself is sweet to drive.

However, the brakes aren't right. The more I use them the more I'm thinking something isn't right. It needs a brake flush desperately and the wheels pulled to inspect the system. Maybe something will reveal itself. The pedal is too long and soft even for Mercedes.
kevm14
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Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

Accomplished a few more tasks.

Diagnosed the coolant circulation pump. It's dead. Needs a new one. It would be used for the rest feature if this car even has that, but also it runs at idle to boost coolant flow through the heater core. Not needed in Florida....
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It's this 203 number which is cheaper: A2038350064
https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2038350064

Same deal as the other pump. Rockauto has options up to OEM price and lower.

It's probably on the pump...

I couldn't find the heater shutoff valve. How embarrassing. But, it probably needs one, too. It could be under the wiper cowl??
EPC says this was used on older vehicles but is not valid for an 09: A2722000031
Yours uses one of these instead: A2722000054

The ECU looks newer. Could it have the wrong software or be coded wrong?? I can investigate that. Although, if the car really doesn't have this valve, it's not setting the CEL so it is more annoying than anything else.

Removed air filter box. AIr filters don't look too bad though I didn't unscrew the covers.
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Removed MAF and inspected. TB was pretty filthy. Cleaned MAF. Hose leading from oil centrifuge was oily. It needs a centrifuge. The good news is I was able to inspect the three rear cam inspection covers. None of them appear to be seeping. So you could just do the centrifuge.
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You can easily see and reach the driver's side cam covers with stuff out of the way.
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After cleaning TB
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There is oil below the oil cooler area. It probably needs that at some point. But the valve cover area and back of the engine are actually really clean.

Posted some more DAS shots, and also some WIS instructions for your convenience.
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kevm14
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Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

Right door handle: A2117601270
As I suspected, I think this Keyless Go system is right out of the W211.

Can't find any. Would have to look into taking the handle apart and replacing the microswitch. Or ignore because the driver's side one works.
kevm14
Posts: 15349
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: CLK550/E550 hunt for Adam

Post by kevm14 »

Things left to do for me:
[X]- Check ECU coding/SW version because it might actually be the cause of the silent code for the heater shutoff valve (because it doesn't actually have one, hence open circuit)
[X]- Visually confirm P/N on coolant circ pump but I think the 203 one is correct.
[X]- Poke around to see if I can code tire pressures to read on the cluster but it does not appear that any CLK system was able to do this so unless this cluster is a W211 part number (which is possible), then there wouldn't be a way to code it in. Coded some stuff but going to wait for Adam to get the two new rear sensors installed and see what happens. I may have to code back to stock but if we are super lucky it will start displaying tire pressures in the cluster.
- Maybe see if other modules have newer software available
- Check to see if intake manifold swirl valve stuff is free and not binding or gooey with oil inside. I have never checked this on anything but the forum explained how to check. I should have done it when I had the air filter housing off. Good news: it takes zero tools to get down to the bare engine and actually it also doesn't require any tools to remove the MAF/intake elbow from the intake snout. Unless you count the right-angle pick that helps release the MAF harness plug.
[X]- Check all four cam adjuster plugs and four cam position sensors for oil at plugs.
[X]- Maybe rubber cement the subwoofer spider?
[X]- If I have a chance maybe put it on my Quick Jacks and have a looksie underneath. Or wait for Adam to come and do it with him. This could generate additional items.

Things that would be left for Adam (aside from anything I didn't get to above):
- [X] Fresh tank of 93 octane + [ ] a Techron treatment
[X]- Replace hood struts
[X]- Replace two (EDIT: one) rear TPMS to get the light out and I think this (and the hood struts just out of sheer courtesy) is all it will need to pass inspection
- Take it in for sunroof recall. Cross fingers and toes that it has an issue and that the fix gives you a new sunroof. Probably not likely?
- Barring winning the lottery on the sunroof recall, see if you feel like dealing with the opening issue. Probably have to pull headliner down to inspect. It tilts fine. I could look up how the system actually works but it seems like only one cable is pulling or they are pulling unevenly.
[X]- Change oil (it might be pretty fresh but it's unknown)
[X]- BRAKE FLUID FLUSH. And inspect brakes specifically for issues.
[X]- Change thermostat
[ ]- Replace coolant pump (maybe not necessary now)
[X]- Change coolant
[X]- Change transmission fluid and filter
- Check/change diff fluid
- Spark plugs
[ ]- Replace oil centrifuge (just the cover I guess)
- Check air filters but I think they are serviceable
- Cabin air seemed serviceable but could change - not an emergency
- Repair or replace right door handle to restore full Keyless Go functionality
[X]- Probably replace oil cooler and gaskets. I believe that's the cause of the oil schmoo on it and underneath.
[X]- Reattach right fog light which may require buying new/used parts but need to inspect first (waiting for parts)
[ ]- Install center cowl drain
[ ]- Install battery/HVAC area foam piece
- It could probably use an alignment. It drives fine but the steering wheel seems slightly off center to the right.
- Wash, maybe clay, maybe a touch of wet sanding if you feel lucky, and probably some kind of ceramic/graphene coating on paint to protect what's left.
- Deal with the headlights at some point, or live with it if acceptable. I think the dealer buffed them.
[X]- Continue to investigate airbag module issues. Not sure if it would be as simple as an eBay module swap or what. The real concern is whether you have a functioning airbag system - you know, for safety. The light works and does not stay on. The module has comms. But the code says replace module. UPDATE: Launch was able to unlock SRS module and clear the stored codes. Fixed forever.
- See if there is any restoring possible on the noisy power trunk mechanism. I think it's the pull down that's noisy not the thing that closes it. Like with Keyless Go, if any of this fails, it just becomes a regular trunk.
- Engine/trans mounts down the road?

Unfortunately a lot of this is deferred maintenance or repairs. What is this, a used car?

Fortunately, it has a lot going for it. Aside from the underlying good CLK550 characteristics, I assess the following:
- Tires are in usable shape. They don't match but they were very expensive, high performance tires, and there is no egregious wear pattern on them. They also seem balanced.
- General powertrain performance/condition seems to be good. Even the fuel trims are pretty close to zero. BMW has left the chat.
- The battery seems functional
- Chassis condition seems pretty good. It drives smooth, handles and rides right.
- No CEL
- It came with 2 keys and they both work
- All of the accessories (minus full sunroof and the right handle Keyless Go open switch) work
- The A/C seems to work but need to drive it more to make sure it performs across all conditions. It was a FL car after all, where broken A/C is tantamount to a human rights violation.
- Haven't looked underneath yet but the only leaking anything I saw would be probably related to the oil cooler/gaskets in the front.
- Oil seems freshish, and air filters seemed to be fresher than expected and German
- Interior is decent overall except for a small repair on the center console leather and some remaining dirt smudges that I haven't worked on
- The audio system is probably one 10 minute rubber cement repair away from performing well and will probably sound decent
- I haven't found a dead bulb on anything, inside or out. But I probably haven't checked 100% of them either. I'm saying nothing has popped out.
- I have not found any rust yet. On anything.
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