Guys, my 1997 S-320 runs very slugishly when first started in the morning. The colder it is the rougher it runs. It will actually stall out when first started if its been cold enough. After a second start it runs but continues to until it has been warming up for 5 minutes or so.

But, if I don;t warm it up and start driving it, it is VERY SLUGGISH. It just does not seem to want to attain RPM. It jsut dosen;t go. Fuel and air filters are new, spark plugs are new, new oil etc.
Once she's warmed up she drives very well. Any suggestions?

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

Is there any warning lights "on" on the instrument panel? Check Engine light or any others?
How many miles on the car.
How long ago where these parts you mentioned replaced, and were you trying to CURE this problem at that time, or did the problem START at that time, or did the problem start quite a while after this work was done?
Were the MB recommended spark plugs installed, or did you pick up some type of "super" spark plugs you thought would work better?
Using what octane gas, and is it from a nation brand name or an "off-brand" fuel supplier?
Is it possible that it started doing this after a fuel fill-up, maybe a bad shot of gas, like with water in it? Water can stick around in a fuel tank for quite awhile, it sinks to the bottom of the tank.
Possibly because of the statement that it gets worse as it gets colder it may be the engine temp sensor.
A mechanic could simply install a scanner on the car and read what the engine temp sensor is reading, that's the easiest way to test it.
Did the problem possibly start after the engine was washed down? 104 motors are famous for collecting water in the last few cylinders (6 especially, and sometimes #5) and wrecking the insulators, of course this is usually a constant problem, not just when cold, but it's a thought.

Gilly

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I replaced the fuel filter, air filter and spark plugs late this summer early fall. The car was running smoothly then. And yes I used plugs purchased from the dealer, and all parts came from the dealership!

The engine was never washed down...I only clean the engine with a damp cloth, definitly not damp enough to cause water seapage problems into the cylinders. As for fuel, I usually run Sunoco 94, alternate with every week with 93 Sunuco at a gas station where I know the tanks were repalced 2 years ago. Rarely do I fuel up anywhere else and when I do its with 93 octane fuel.

It started doing this last winter, but it wasen;t as bad as its now. I didn't address the problem because warmer temperatures came around and the vehicle was running fine.

Thanks for the response.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

Because it does it mainly when cold, probably NOT fuel related, like water in the gas anyways.

I'd look more towards possibly the engine coolant temp sensor, as I mentioned.

May have to leave it at a shop overnight so they can properly diagnose it.

Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

133,000 miles on the car. Check engine light does not come on.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.