Today, i started my car and it had a very rough idle. At ~ lunch, I was on the freeway and the car completely stalled. I pulled over and cranked many times just to get the car started. The car had a very rough idle (let's call the symptom 'chugging' like) and would stall upon acceleration from the stop light. I limped to a garage and had a new fuel filter (OEM Bosch from benz bin) installed. The symptoms did not improve. Any ideas/suggestions? intank fuel pump filter clogged? pump pump going bad? TIA!!

Tony
90 300CE. 155K mi.
LA, CA.

Since your Benz has no in-tank pump that isn't the problem. However the ignition coil OR other high voltage ignition componet may cause this type of problem. Even the crank sensor can cause this. Time for testing when the problem happens, not while running good. Of course a fuel delivery test will show the ability of the fuel pumps to deliver.

MB Doc,
preventive intervention advice well noted. however, the car was running quite well up to today. It stuttered a lil wks back, but prompty went away so i never bothered to bring out the service manual.

So I should be checking coil voltage, CAS, etc? I'll change the distributor + rotor tonight. Maybe I'll just give up and tow it to House of Imports... =(

Tony

Tony:

Let me know what you find out, I've had the same thing happen to me on my wife's '92 300E. In fact, I posted a note on the subject with one reply suggesting the fuel gage may need replacement. It only seems to happen to my wife's car intermittently when the fuel level is below 1/4 tank.

If I find anything I'll post it here.

Good luck
Bill

Bill,
I wish I can help, but my situation is not fuel-level dependent. My tank was 3/4 full today. It was also 99% full the last few times the stuttering (i'd say it's more than mis-fire) happened. My car is now at Herb's volvo/mercedes in Fullerton (I see you're in Long Beach). Will keep you updated.

Tony

I also had a problem with a 300ce that when you open the throttle all the way fast like if you where trying to pass someone, the car would almost die on the spot. but when you opened the throttle slow it would bogg and stutter. it was the ignition coil. I spent all day when I finally called Benzmac and he told me on the spot what it was. But also check your fuel delivery because my father also had a car (560 sel) that did the same). so I would take a fuel guage and check the fuel pressure as you drive the car. Remember have a person who's done this job before do it for safety.