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website at http://www.leisurewheels.co.za. Please supply your postal address, in case you win a prize.MAIL We welcome your views
WINNING
LETTER
6 SEPTEMBER 2019 leisurewheels.co.za
WRITE A LETTERand stand a chance
to win a Luxury Luxpure filter unitThe Little Luxury LuxPure Tap Water Filter produces
great-tasting and healthy water and fits directly onto
your kitchen tap. This is one of few water filters that
comes equipped with an electronic meter and alarm that
tracks when you would need to replace your filter and
your batteries as well as tracking the litres per minute to
ensure optimal water filtration.
No plumber is needed to install this filter; the chrome
tap attachment, batteries and wrench are all included. The LuxPure
replacement filter, which can last up to a year, removes chlorine,
pesticides, sediment, rust, all known heavy metals and organic and
inorganic micro particles – this also improves the taste and smell of
your water. Available from Dis-Chem stores. http://www.littleluxury.co.zaI have just read the article in
Leisure Wheels July on turbo
maintenance and request some
advice. I own two 2011 Mercedes-
Benz G300 vehicles. The one is
based in Johannesburg which
I use as my daily drive and has
about 220 000km on the odometer.
The other is based in Durban and
I use this on my infrequent trips
to the coast. It has about 190 000km
on the odometer. Both vehicles
receive regular oil and filter changes
at a non-Mercedes workshop but
I use only Mercedes oils and parts
which I purchase from Mercedes.
Unfortunately, it has been my
experience over the years that
Mercedes technicians are largely
incompetent with regard to these
vehicles. It’s unlikely that either
vehicle has had any adequateservicing on the turbo units and
associated parts. Based on the
article, as well as the mileage of
both vehicles, will it be your
recommendation to at least
have the oil pipes replaced
and perhaps have the turbo
units checked?
Clive le Meme
Via emailThe turbocharger in your vehicle is
a popular unit which is also installed
on other Mercedes models using the
same engine including the C320CDI.
The turbochargers on the
Mercedes are placed in the middle of
the engine’s V towards the rear of
the motor, closest to the firewall.
There is an exhaust runner which
joins the two V-banks from either
side through a Y-pipe and then intothe turbocharger’s turbine housing.
There is a lot less thermal loading
on this design set-up than a turbo-
charger installed directly onto
a large multi-runner manifold. The
requirement to replace the oil inlet
pipe is almost negated entirely based
on a specific mileage.
The most critical concern on
these applications is the air inlet
pipe which is a Y-pipe joining both
air flow meters and sensors, to one
inlet onto the turbocharger’s
compressor housing. Inside the
single join pipe is a silicone hose
insert which is difficult to access.
Because it is so complicated to
install this pipe onto the vehicle
when doing an air filter change,
it is not uncommon for the
turbocharger to suffer foreign
object damage to the leading edge
of the compressor wheel blades,
due to the hose being clamped
off-centre. This can result in a
piece breaking off and getting
sucked into the turbocharger.
Maintenance on this high-power
engine is critical. Make sure you
don’t miss the services, and use only
genuine parts. Take care with that
air intake pipe and the cars should
remain reliable for hundreds of
thousands of kilometres in terms of
service life from the turbo and
engine combination. - Chris Kambouris, managing
director Turbo Direct.
MAINTENANCE
TURBO