Mercedes-Benz S420 Repair and Maintenance - Get an online auto repair estimate for your Mercedes-Benz S420
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Mercedes-Benz S420 Repair and Maintenance
Mercedes-Benz S420 Model Years
Mercedes-Benz S420 Questions and Answers
cmee, 1997 Mercedes-Benz S420, Rio Grande, NJ
I jut bought a 97 c420 with 118.ooo miles.
new trans, new brakes, new tires. for a steal.
Will I like it? why? How long of a life # of mile can I get?
Should I anticipate problems? If so what kind...
cmee, 1997 Mercedes-Benz S420, Rio Grande, NJ
Can anyone tell me how to open a glove compartment for a C420? No manual how can I get one?
jayrosh, 1997 Mercedes-Benz S420, Kissimmee, FL
I made a terrible mistake, I have Mercedes S420 97, it was in storage for few months and battery was dead so I tried to jump start with my other car which was running. I put the key in MB and all t...
samandmimo, 1997 Mercedes-Benz S420, Salisbury, NC
Can anyone please tell me where the oil filter is located in a 97 s420? thank you
bolo1960, 1994 Mercedes-Benz S420, Petersburg, VA
Have replaced the theromstat and water hoses.
ROCKSAMSON, 1998 Mercedes-Benz S420, South Orange, NJ
I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND AM NOW GETTING FORCED AIR INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UNFORTUNATELY THE AIR IS "WARM" NOT HOT. I'M TOLD THAT A PART THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE B...
ROCKSAMSON, 1998 Mercedes-Benz S420, South Orange, NJ
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT A D MODEL VALVE IS?
affi, 1995 Mercedes-Benz S420, Enterprise, AL
what can be the problem when the starter does not engage
affi, 1995 Mercedes-Benz S420, Enterprise, AL
when i turn the ignition key on my car does not start
CDAADD, 1995 Mercedes-Benz S420, West Babylon, NY
Where should the oil pressure gauge be? I have up to number 3, but for the last couple of days, it's been lower and lower and is now almost at number 1?
reed, 1996 Mercedes-Benz S420, Whittington, IL
recently on a trip smoke came out of the rear passenger door. radio was on. speaker cover melted and some warping of door panel. what could cause this? no known blown fuses.
blacktop9, 1995 Mercedes-Benz S420, Renton, WA
I have a bad fuel leak going on from the rear passenger side of my 95's420 mercedes . I suppose its my fuel line. you can clearly see the leak while the car is running and in park. about a quarter ...
JUDGE6, 1999 Mercedes-Benz S420, Virginia Beach, VA
where is the thermostat located inthis vehicle? near and around what?
mycar2010, 1996 Mercedes-Benz S420, Vancouver, WA
Hi! do you know how to install key ignition on mercedes benz S420 1996?
Anonymous, 1995 Mercedes-Benz S420, Coachella, CA
will any mercedes benz wheel fit my 1995 mercedes benz s 420?
Mercedes-Benz S420 Car Reviews (2)
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OVERALL, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST HANDLING CARS THAT I'VE EVER OWNED. I'VE OWNED A Z-28 CAMARO, A VOLVO, A LEXUS AND ABOUT 7 TOYOTA SUVs. THE BRAKING IS INCREDIBLE AND THE DRIVE IS LIKE BUTTER. WHAT DRIVES ME NUTS IS THE GASOLINE SMELL IN THE COMPARTMENT PRESUMABLY FROM THE NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WE JUST INSTALLED (FOR THE 2ND TIME). THE STEERING WHEEL PUMP HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED (ALSO FOR THE 2ND TIME). THE HEATER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE CAR STILL DOES NOT BLOW HOT AIR JUST LUKE WARM AIR.
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I've owned my 1995 s-420 since 1999, and have been relatively satisfied with it. My main concern is that there is a slight vibration that I cannot get rid of. I've balanced the tires, replaced all four tires, had the drive train checked all to no avail. This has been going on for the last 8 years. It looks like it is something that I will have to live with.
The heating system is slow warming the car up. However, after twenty to thirty minutes it becomes comfortable. The engine seems to be okay, but I have only 91,000 miles on it. I have experienced problems with the oil lines leading to the lifters in the heads, the lifters would give a slight tapping sound and I would immediately take it to Herb Gordens Mercedes shop department. Each time it cost approximately $1,200 to repair. My car is garage kept and pampered. It goes without saying, I like it very much. However, if I were to purchase another car in the future, I think it would be a Lexus LS-460. From what I've read, that seems to be the most reliable car on the road today.
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Mercedes-Benz S420 Problems
| Brakes |
- Due to the size and materials of the brakes on these vehicles, the brakes start to squeak around the 50 percent wear point. The brake rotor surfaces become uneven, causing a lip to form at the outer edge of the rotor. Because of this, the rotors are usually replaced when the pads are worn (pad life varies depending on driving style and terrain).
- Brake fluid should be flushed every two years to prevent premature anti-lock brake system (ABS) failure.
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| Engine |
- Oil leaks develop from the head gasket and timing cover gasket; these leaks should be repaired before the engine oil and coolant intermix.
- Radiators break due to degradation of the plastic tanks and fittings.
- Older vehicles should have the cooling system serviced even if the mileage is low. The hoses can look good on the
outside, but the rubber can degrade and erode on the inside. If not
carefully checked, the hoses can burst at any time.
- Oil feed tubes break and fall into the crankcase (engine) and the tappet becomes noisy
(ticking), resulting in degraded idle quality. Our technicians recommend
replacing all of the tubes at the same time, broken or not.
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| Exhaust & Emissions |
- Ports in the cylinder head related to the emissions air injection and EGR systems can clog; the cylinder head should be removed and the ports cleaned.
- A faulty mass air flow (MAF) sensor can cause erratic/rough engine operation and fuel economy issues. Since
this sensor measures the actual amount of air entering the motor, when
it fails, the engine control module (ECM) takes the wrong information and delivers incorrect volumes of fuel to the cylinders.
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| Suspension & Steering |
- Irregular and premature tire wear can be caused by the lower control
arm bushings cracking and causing excessive movement at the control arm pivot point. Ball joints can also wear out prematurely, causing similar tire wear symptoms.
- The tie rod ends, drag link, and idler arm in the linkage of the steering system can wear out.
- There is a steering dampening shock that will leak fluid when it goes bad.
- Vehicles with level control that ride harshly in the rear (no give in
the suspension, like you are riding on a brick) may have bad dampening
actuators. The actuators should be replaced in pairs.
- Some models have tandem hydraulic pumps—one section for power
steering and the other for suspension adjustment. These pumps are prone
to leakage from either section.
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| Drive Train |
- A vibration felt through the center floor
of
the vehicle can be caused by driveshaft flex discs, which crack and
shred, causing excessive driveshaft movement. Not repairing these can
cause damage to the driveshaft center support bearing, or, in the worst
case
scenario, damage to the transmission or differential.
- High mileage vehicles can leak from the transmission oil seals.
- High mileage or older vehicles develop leaks
at the differential seals and cover; the whole unit needs to be
resealed to repair the leaks.
- The bushings for the shifter lever wear out to the point where they
break and fall out. This causes excessive movement (loose feel) in the
shifter lever and a clanging-type noise when changing gears.
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| Electrical & Lights |
- The insulation degrades on the engine wiring harnesses because the
insulating material falls off of the wires and leaves the conductors
exposed. This can cause many problems depending on which wires are
exposed and what they touch.
- Throttle valves can suffer electrical failure.
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| Heating & Air Conditioning |
- Other than a defective motor, a bad switch or blower motor resistor assembly can cause inoperative heater blower motors.
- Leaks at the AC compressor, hose manifold for the compressor, or the evaporator core can cause poor AC performance.
- The climate control system can fail or perform erratically due to internal wear in the climate control unit buttons.
- A cracked or broken heater core outlet housing can cause a coolant leak near the bulkhead (firewall).
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Mercedes-Benz S420 Recalls and TSBs
Mercedes-Benz S420 Recalls (Recent)
Campaign Number: 96V058000
Number of Vehicles Affected: 149
Model Years Affected:
1996
Date Owner Notified: 04/1996
Defect Summary: THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. IF THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING.
Consequence Summary: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE POWER FROM THE BATTERY, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DAMPER-PULLEY ON THESE VEHICLES.
Recall Notes: SYSTEM: ENGINE; PULLEY; CRANKSHAFT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Mercedes-Benz S420 Technical Service Bulletins (Recent)
None reported.
Recent Mercedes-Benz Repair Estimates
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