The sooner Mercedes gets these BlueTec diesels off the road, the fewer owners they’ll have to settle with. If they litigate and frustrate, maybe they can avoid the same fate as VW. The longer Mercedes can delay this, the more owners will get sick of the repairs and move on. Mercedes knows they’re also in the crosshairs. VW thought their 46 billion dollar settlement would be the end the lawsuits. Supreme Court just ruled States and Cities can also sue VW for diesel fraud. Mercedes knows they have the same financial exposure as VW, and it just got a lot worse. They help, but they’re really just a way to buy time. It’s only the first of many more to come. Most owners are aware of Mercedes current AEM emissions recall. The documentary is mainly about VW, but it includes Mercedes participation. This documentary explains how the German auto industry conspired to commit diesel emissions fraud. Watch the NETFLIX documentary, “Dirty Money” episode “Hard NOx”. BlueTec problems a more complicated then oil alone can solve. Better oil is very important, but it’s only one piece of the BlueTec puzzle. Unfortunately many people just want to know what’s the best oil they should use? They really don’t know why they need better oil, but that’s what they’ve heard. But there’s no magic oil that solves all the problems. I can show you the least expensive way to avoid major repairs. But there is no cheap and simple way to correct everything, You can’t buy a neglected BlueTec and think $1,000 will make it new again. But more importantly, with the proper preventive maintenance, BlueTec diesels can be very reliable. You’ll find most Independent shops won’t work on it either. If you try to delete the emission system, Mercedes dealers won’t work on the vehicle. For the emissions system to work right, the engine must run right. For it to run right, the emission system must work right. I’m sorry I have to keep saying it, but BlueTec diesels are very complicated. People think there’s some difference between the emission system and the regular running parts of the engine. I understand people don’t like spending so much money fixing problems that really should have never happened. One caller actually said he didn’t have to breath the emissions because he lived in the country. I’m still amazed at how many owners think they can delete the emission system. Mercedes and VW told everyone these were “Clean Diesels”, and people believed them. Lots of people have the mistaken impression that diesel engines didn’t really pollute. The EPA and DOJ have proven BlueTec diesels have significant problems, and it’s not just the emission system. They can’t understand why everything is so expensive? I spend 30 or 40 minutes explaining the situation. Nobody wants to tell them they aren’t in Kansas any more. Now they’re finding out why the previous owner sold it to them. Some how many of these new owners thought BlueTec diesels were just like the diesel they remembered from 20 years ago. After they’ve talked to several dealers and Mercedes Customer Service, they call me. New owners buy a used BlueTec diesel and are blindsided by all the problems they find across the internet. Every settlement creates more questions then it answers. But relentless fraud lawsuits and recalls keep changing the landscape. You would think there shouldn’t be anything new to discuss. Over the years I’ve rewritten this article many times. The DOJ finally forced Mercedes to admit diagnostic information was false, but experienced diesel Mechanics were long gone. Over time Mechanics realized they couldn’t trust Mercedes BlueTec diesel diagnostic information. Mercedes dealers don’t know much more than their customers. Mercedes told everyone the DPF regeneration was automatic and would go unnoticed by customers. The DPF regeneration problems were a complete mystery because Mercedes has still never fully explained the regeneration perimeters. Nobody really understood what was causing these problems. At first it was oil leaks and Check Engine lights (CEL). The euphoria lasted a few years and then the problems started creeping in. At first everyone was thrilled with the performance. I started this article shortly after Mercedes introduced the BlueTEC diesel in 2007. I have no affiliation with Mercedes-Benz or its authorized dealers.
After 50 years working with and for Mercedes-Benz as a Mechanic, Shop Foreman, Instructor, Service Manager and Shop Owner I retired in 2018. JanuThe following comments are my own opinions.
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