C240 Engine details

[Dave R]

We just bought a 2003 C240/4Matic. Love the car, even better than the 1995 C280 it replaced. Could anyone direct me to a good source of information on the engine, details,diagrams, pics, etc.. there are a lot!!! of changes from the old straight six and it is obvious that my days of doing even routine service items appear to be finished, but I would still like to know more about it. Any help, pointers to info, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dave

[Scott Singer]

play around at <http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb.asp>

also google search STARTUNED magazine

you can still do lots of work on the 203 C240, but the 202 C280 was brilliantly simple to maintain and keep like new.

[Dave R]

Thanks much, will try your ideas. Our first Benz was a 220, 4 cyl., one carb., no AC, no power steering, known as the "taxi" version, or "the truck"! But, after many years with it, I traded it for a new BMW 530i, a car that was great to drive on a clear, dry day. It was truly scary to drive in a wet turn, and suicidal in snow! Been back with Mercedes ever since. Dave

[Scott Singer]

as far as help and pointers;

1) www.mercedesshop.com
2) www.benzworld.org
3) if you live in the U.S. the Merceded Benz Club has a bi-monthly magazine with a tech Q&A section, plus certain chapters of the club have tech sessions at local MB dealerships where you can put your car up on a lift and do work or ask a dealer tech to teach you how to visually inspect.

I have an `02 C240 and a `98 C230, for me the big difference is the `02 has had sensors go bad that had to be diagnosed by the dealer to repair.

There is also a web site called www.mbklasse.com you have to register, but it's strictly C-class 203's and lots of DIY, modifications, after market upgrades and photos.

[RLE]

<<We just bought a 2003 C240/4Matic. >>

Assuming the car has less than 50K miles, it's still under warranty so you don't have to worry too much about repairs for a while.

As to working on the engine, there is nothing much to do. The V-6s don't leak oil or blow head gaskets and the spark plugs don't need to be changed until 100K miles.

To protect the mass airflow sensor, the air filters should be changed about every 15K miles. The cabin air filter (above the battery) is changed when it gets dirty and my experience with my '01 C320 is that it gets dirty pretty rapidly.

You will find oil & air filters reasonably priced provided you buy in the aftermarket.

As to oil changes, MB dealers are now using Mobil 1 5/40 and the '06 cars have gone to a fixed 13K mile change interval provided you use a fleece filter. I am still using M1 0W40 while depleting my stock of paper filters. I know I could easily change it at 10K miles but I do it at 5K using my Topsider just because it makes me feel good.

I recently changed the brake pads at 43K miles (all four wheels) and since I don't make any particular effort to conserve the brakes, you should not have to worry about yours. I also found that changing pads in the W203 is much easier than my former '95 C280.