['93 190e 2.6] Unpredictable Starting

Hello everyone.

Another mystery that I was hoping you could solve for me! When I start my car after it has been sitting for awhile, it sometimes starts on the first try, but kinds of "chugs" for a second or two before it begins to idle like it normally does. Most other times when I start, it will chug and then die. Upon starting the second time, it starts right up with no chugging and no problems at all. It idles great when on the road -- no problems.

Someone told me that this is normal and that his MB has done this for as long as he's had it. I still thought I would post to get your expert thoughts if there might be a problem.

Thanks again for all of your help.

[jay123]

I have a '90 190E 2.6 that does the exact same thing when cold or warm. When warm, it starts up a lot quicker. When cold, it takes a while. It's really irritating. I thought it was a timing issue. However, ther is no way to advance the timing on these cars since they are computer controlled. Even the CD manual isn't much help on this.
Any help from the pro's on this would be greatly appreciated.

[brookspw]

You make think this is a strange question, but: Does you car use oil without leaking or smoking?

My car does the exact thing and I believe we have it narrowed down to leaking valve seals.

I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.

brookspw

[Mike Murrell]

Another possibility is fuel injectors leaking down.

Thanks for your response. I had my oil changed a few weeks ago, and just checked it the other day. It was smack dab in between the "full" level on the dipstick. The oil pressure gauge on the car is full whenever I accelerate.

It's just weird. It's ONLY when I start it. Today was around 90 degrees here. It was better, but it still did it. After about 10 seconds, it purrrrrs like a kitten. I'll be anxious to hear what you find out! I noticed you have 120k. I've only got 71k on mine right now; seems a little early for valve seals, no?

[jay123]

Well, I have no oil leaks or disappearing oil either. My revs hover around the 550 mark. I know that theyshould be closer to the 750+ on these cars.

When I start the car for the first time for the day, it usually starts and idles at about 1000rpm for the first 10 minutes or so. Once I have driven for awhile, I idle at about 600rpm or so. There's no chugging or loss of power when driving, just when the darn thing starts.

When I "feather" the gas pedal a bit when starting it, it does fine. It chugs for a few seconds and is then fine ... strange.

[Jim Anderson]

Mine is doing that too, except for the stalling part. I just thought is was cause its past time for new spark plugs. And would'nt all M103's do this?

Hi Jim,

Was just curious if you were planning on installing new spark plugs. I would be curious to know if that would solve the problem.

Thanks much!
-Michael

[brookspw]

If I'm right about the leaking seals CAUSING the problem, changing the plugs would only help if the oil has caused the plugs to foul.

brookspw

Would the OVP relay be a culprit in this situation? I've read a couple of other posts about the OVP relay, but it's not quite the same circumstances. I'm not exactly sure what an OVP relay does, so I can 't be of much help other than suggesting it!

[brookspw]

To THIS question, I can speak with experience. In my car -- exact symptoms you have -- I changed it with NO difference. I also unplugged the idle valve for a test and had no difference. My plugs were changed 5,000k ago, and no difference.

brookspw

[Mike Richards]

Someone else already mentioned this. Take a look at this post:

1991 190E 2.6 Starting Problems

My car has gotten to the point now where it will almost never start on the first try when the engine is cold. I go to start it the first time, and nothing. The second time I try to start it, it starts right up with no problems at all.

Is this something to worry about? I did review the article regarding leaky fuel injectors, but I don't think that's my problem. I had leaky injectors in my old Buick, and I had a strong fuel smell around the car and especially in the interior when the vents were on -- those gas fumes were definitely coming into the cabin of the car. I also noticed that the car was missing, especially when I would accelerate at a stop light. I had had to be very judicial with the acclerator, or the engine would die. I have had no problems like this with the Mercedes.

I don't care that it takes 2 tries to start it -- once it starts, it's running great. I'm just wondering if I need to worry about this. When the engine is warm and I try to start it, no problems. It starts right up.

Any suggestions or comments?
As always, Thanks for your time everyone!

-Michael.