Has anyone else tried DIY maintenance for Mercedes B-Class?

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TomCruise007

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2024
Messages
11
Location
Los Angeles
Has anyone else tackled this yearly maintenance themselves? A dealer quoted me $350 for the service, but the part alone is only $45. Our 2015 B-Class is out of warranty now, with 60,000 miles on the clock, so no more complimentary services. I heard it’s a super quick 10-minute job that doesn’t even need the car lifted, as long as you have or can make a special tool. I went back and forth about doing it myself, but my biggest concern is handling the high voltage safely. Anyone have experience or tips on this?
 
TomCruise007 said:
Has anyone else tackled this yearly maintenance themselves? A dealer quoted me $350 for the service, but the part alone is only $45. Our 2015 B-Class is out of warranty now, with 60,000 miles on the clock, so no more complimentary services. I heard it’s a super quick 10-minute job that doesn’t even need the car lifted, as long as you have or can make a special tool. I went back and forth about doing it myself, but my biggest concern is handling the high voltage safely. Anyone have experience or tips on this?
Click to expand...
I haven’t tried it myself, but $350 does seem high for a quick job. If you’re comfortable with the high voltage, you can try tackling it but make sure you have the right tool for safety.
 
Thanks, $350 does seem steep for a simple task. I'm leaning towards doing it myself, but I'll definitely prioritize safety and make sure I have the right tools.
 
I had mine 2016 for five years and the first year I bought the desiccant filter and tool to replace it. I never did because it was to tight a space to get enough force to open it.
The only thing I had done in the last five years, is check all the fluids and changed the Abs sensors and the horns.
I also lately checked the drive unit coolant leak, and it was completely dry.
 
Tesla didn't incorporate a desiccant into the Model S/X packs at all. Moisture intrusion and retention in the HV pack is a fairly common issue on those cars, with corroded BMB boards and voltage sense wires being common when the batteries are opened up for repair and service.

OTOH, MB spec'd that Tesla install a field-serviceable and replaceable desiccant into the HV pack that Tesla built for the B250e,

And Toyota spec'd that Tesla install a dehumidifier in the pack that Tesla built for the RAV4 EV Gen2 (2012-2014), which contains non-replaceable loose desiccant (silica beads), a heater plate, and an air pump. The dehumidifier bolts to the top of the pack, where it can't be serviced unless the pack is dropped out of the car. Rather than replace the desiccant, it's regenerated by the heater and air pump.

I had the pack out for contactors replacement, and found the air pump worn out; it's only rated for ~3000 hours. I replaced it, and took pictures.

I have no experience with the MB version, but based on the track record of the Model S, I wouldn't neglect replacing that desiccant. There has to be a reason why MB invalidated battery warranties if the annual desiccant replacement wasn't performed.
 
KimHJ said:
I had mine 2016 for five years and the first year I bought the desiccant filter and tool to replace it. I never did because it was to tight a space to get enough force to open it.
The only thing I had done in the last five years, is check all the fluids and changed the Abs sensors and the horns.
I also lately checked the drive unit coolant leak, and it was completely dry.
Click to expand...
Have you any pics of what the dessicant cartridge looks like, and how to get to it please.
 
TomCruise007 said:
Has anyone else tackled this yearly maintenance themselves? A dealer quoted me $350 for the service, but the part alone is only $45. Our 2015 B-Class is out of warranty now, with 60,000 miles on the clock, so no more complimentary services. I heard it’s a super quick 10-minute job that doesn’t even need the car lifted, as long as you have or can make a special tool. I went back and forth about doing it myself, but my biggest concern is handling the high voltage safely. Anyone have experience or tips on this?
Click to expand...
I brought my B250e fully loaded, 2016 in December 23. To date I have the following done. I brought the car near Birmingham. I live near London. UK .
1. Checked all fluid levels. One cooling level was a bit low , so I topped it up . DIY
2. Giving air quality sensor of Ac faulty . Check errors using icarsoft CR Ultra scanner. Replaced sensor.DIY .
3. Windscreen was cracked from a stone. Insurance job , the original Windscreen had pink colour with the cables attached. Had to wait for 5 months for delivery from factory to mercedes Germany, then Germany mercedes to mercedes UK and then to local dealer. I picked up the Windscreen and then to mercedes approved Windscreen repairer. New Windscreen also had heating cables but now it's has a blackish colour instead of the pinkish of the original . All paid by insurance .
4. Replaced cabin filter. DIY
5. All 4 Chinese tyres were replaced by Michelin E primacy tyres from CostCo. Also replaced metal collars of each air valve. Much smoother ride and range increase by about 10 miles at 65% charge ( never charge over this , unless planning on a long journey. ), its improves life expectancy of hV battery.
Present faults
1) looks like bearing noise when you only touch the accerator .
2) error message about Hv battery. Cr ultra can't clear this error message. But it doesn't affect range, only the uncomfortable orange dashboard error message which disappears after pressing the ok button.
 
To do all the inspections of the suspension and steering links (I use a giant sized slip pliers to check the ends for wear) you need the car off the ground. My MB dealership charges $135 to do this. Then comes all the add-ons, Brake fluid, wipers, cabin filter, etc. and the bill goes way up.

To mitigate some of this with my labor and lower cost of products I purchase the cabin filter on line, wipers from Costco, a break fluid water content tester from Amazon so the brake fluid is changed when needed not on a time schedule, take Teslas advice for similar drive/battery units that the desiccant only need to be changed every six years, and have the local electric drive rebuilder check for water intrusion into the drive unit which he does for no cost.

I would like to know what others do?
 
KimHJ said:
I had mine 2016 for five years and the first year I bought the desiccant filter and tool to replace it. I never did because it was to tight a space to get enough force to open it.
The only thing I had done in the last five years, is check all the fluids and changed the Abs sensors and the horns.
I also lately checked the drive unit coolant leak, and it was completely dry.
Click to expand...
If you decide to tackle the desiccant filter replacement, just take your time and ensure you have the right tools and safety precautions for high voltage.
 
asavage said:
Tesla didn't incorporate a desiccant into the Model S/X packs at all. Moisture intrusion and retention in the HV pack is a fairly common issue on those cars, with corroded BMB boards and voltage sense wires being common when the batteries are opened up for repair and service.

OTOH, MB spec'd that Tesla install a field-serviceable and replaceable desiccant into the HV pack that Tesla built for the B250e,

And Toyota spec'd that Tesla install a dehumidifier in the pack that Tesla built for the RAV4 EV Gen2 (2012-2014), which contains non-replaceable loose desiccant (silica beads), a heater plate, and an air pump. The dehumidifier bolts to the top of the pack, where it can't be serviced unless the pack is dropped out of the car. Rather than replace the desiccant, it's regenerated by the heater and air pump.

I had the pack out for contactors replacement, and found the air pump worn out; it's only rated for ~3000 hours. I replaced it, and took pictures.

I have no experience with the MB version, but based on the track record of the Model S, I wouldn't neglect replacing that desiccant. There has to be a reason why MB invalidated battery warranties if the annual desiccant replacement wasn't performed.
Click to expand...
It's interesting how Tesla managed moisture differently across models; replacing the desiccant in the B250e seems important for battery health, especially given Mercedes' warranty policies.
 
LondonWdd14289ownwr said:
I brought my B250e fully loaded, 2016 in December 23. To date I have the following done. I brought the car near Birmingham. I live near London. UK .
1. Checked all fluid levels. One cooling level was a bit low , so I topped it up . DIY
2. Giving air quality sensor of Ac faulty . Check errors using icarsoft CR Ultra scanner. Replaced sensor.DIY .
3. Windscreen was cracked from a stone. Insurance job , the original Windscreen had pink colour with the cables attached. Had to wait for 5 months for delivery from factory to mercedes Germany, then Germany mercedes to mercedes UK and then to local dealer. I picked up the Windscreen and then to mercedes approved Windscreen repairer. New Windscreen also had heating cables but now it's has a blackish colour instead of the pinkish of the original . All paid by insurance .
4. Replaced cabin filter. DIY
5. All 4 Chinese tyres were replaced by Michelin E primacy tyres from CostCo. Also replaced metal collars of each air valve. Much smoother ride and range increase by about 10 miles at 65% charge ( never charge over this , unless planning on a long journey. ), its improves life expectancy of hV battery.
Present faults
1) looks like bearing noise when you only touch the accerator .
2) error message about Hv battery. Cr ultra can't clear this error message. But it doesn't affect range, only the uncomfortable orange dashboard error message which disappears after pressing the ok button.
Click to expand...
You've done an impressive amount of maintenance on your B250e, and it's great to hear about the improvements from the Michelin tires and fluid checks; I hope you can resolve that HV battery error soon..
 
nrkmann said:
To do all the inspections of the suspension and steering links (I use a giant sized slip pliers to check the ends for wear) you need the car off the ground. My MB dealership charges $135 to do this. Then comes all the add-ons, Brake fluid, wipers, cabin filter, etc. and the bill goes way up.

To mitigate some of this with my labor and lower cost of products I purchase the cabin filter on line, wipers from Costco, a break fluid water content tester from Amazon so the brake fluid is changed when needed not on a time schedule, take Teslas advice for similar drive/battery units that the desiccant only need to be changed every six years, and have the local electric drive rebuilder check for water intrusion into the drive unit which he does for no cost.

I would like to know what others do?
Click to expand...
Haha...You've got a great approach to cutting maintenance costs, I also try to save by sourcing parts online and checking things like wear and fluid levels myself before spending on repairs.
 
More penny pinching. Desiccant for many applications can be restored in an oven or microwave. I have a container to keep my hearing aids dry and the instructions are to use the microwave for 30 seconds and check the color. Can this be done with the MB BEV desiccant bags?
 
nrkmann said:
More penny pinching. Desiccant for many applications can be restored in an oven or microwave. I have a container to keep my hearing aids dry and the instructions are to use the microwave for 30 seconds and check the color. Can this be done with the MB BEV desiccant bags?
Click to expand...
Yes. I read on a forum someone did this on their B250e.
 
nrkmann said:
More penny pinching. Desiccant for many applications can be restored in an oven or microwave. I have a container to keep my hearing aids dry and the instructions are to use the microwave for 30 seconds and check the color. Can this be done with the MB BEV desiccant bags?
Click to expand...
I believe it could be done as the desiccant is the same , Ie if you heat up the desiccant, the moisture boils away . And it's ready once again to absorb moisture again until it gets saturated again . Its a physical process and not a chemical one .
 

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