W202 Help
 

Hey everyone,

My fairly low mileage (53,000miles) 99 C230 has gotten a problem lately. When starting her up (overnight or few days cold) it hesitates badly for about 4-6 seconds, almost wanting to stall but never did. Once it gets going it idles perfectly and is good the rest of the day. This mostly happens now if the car sits for a whole day or more. I also noticed very very slight shake or "twitching" in the engines idle when in P and fully warmed up.

I was thinking its time for the fuel filter to be done but read it doesnt cure the problem. MAS I done 5,000 miles ago and spark plugs by previous owner at the MB dealer 12,000 miles ago as marked in the book.

Any ideas on the kompressor engine as the cause? Please help out guys....much thanks. :confused: :)

Keep in mind I'm 100% unqualified to say this, but I would look at:

1 - cat
2 - wires that lead to spark plugs
3 - gas cap

If you accelerate when it's trying to stall, does it throw the CE light, and, if so, what codes?

Go to Canadian Tire, get a can of throttlebody cleaner, spray the throttleplate & see what happens.
You got nothing to loose, except $ 5.00 & 1/2 hour of work. ;)

No check engine light. When driving its driving like its new. Ive done a few italian tune ups and it helped slightly...aswell maybe its my fault I "baby" the car? By this I mean..2000rpm shifts while driving.

Im hoping its carbon build-up! I will try the throttle body thing if nothing else. What about fuel filter?

Marko,

I had the same symptoms with my low km 1999C230 sport last summer. Was unable to get a proper determination of the problem as their were no codes. I continued to use the car and eventually it died in traffic. Towed to independent repair shop in Richmond Hill who determined it was a faulty fuel pump. Replaced fuel pump and filter and all has been fine since. Problem never returned.

Check plugs to make sure they are the factory type and gap, also for signs of arcing along the insulator in case someone cleaned the engine and filled a plug hole with water.
Gilly

Im gonna check the plugs now one day. I bought a fuel filter I attempted to change myself but was unsure where it was underneath in the back (near rear wheel well).

Also, is it true plugs need to be done every 30,000miles on the kompressor engine?

That would be about right.
I change mine every 50 000 km = @ 30 k miles, and they ususally look like it's about time. ;)

I've seen faulty throttle actuators cause symptoms like yours'. The motor that controls the throttle valve can't overcome the return spring tension quickly enough. Try holding the gas pedal down about halfway while the engine is cranking, then release it the instant the engine starts. If the problem goes away, the actuator is the likely cause. Of course, if you have access to SDS you can test the actuator via the "Actuations" menu choice. I've found many actuators that can lower the engine speed with no problem (due to the help of the return spring), but have trouble increasing RPM. Good luck

Its weird, the problem has seemed to go away pretty much and the hesitation on cold startups is very minimal....still there but minimal. Im tempted to leave it for now but when it gets worse again I will do all of the above.

Any info on changing the fuel filter?

Post 5 claims to have the answer. Have you considered having the fuel pump checked? Or at least putting in the new fuel filter?

Mike

do a search on fuel filters, I'm sure I have written about fuel filter changes on my non-kompressor 1998 C230, and would think things are similar.

But concerning your stumble. About a week ago when doing an oil change, my oil filter cap wrench pulled a small brown vacuum hose ( this hose is small diameter) from it's insertion point under the first intake runner.
I didn't realize at first and the first few times I started car there was significant engine stumble. A few dyas latter my CHECK ENGINE light went on and I discovered the disconnected hose.

I realize your cars a Kompressor and different engine, but just an idea.

Anyway about fuel filters, be aware of the direction arrow on your filter, use your vehicle VIN number when ordering a new filter from the DEALER or FASTLANE. Have some hose clamps, disconnect the battery, and a new filter may be slightly larger than the older one - at least that was my situation.
Buy new circular hose clamps that tighten woth a screw driver or if your car has the clamps that need a narrow design pliers to release and install and you want to use that design again have then get the correct original style clamps with the pliers.
Also I use a dedicated hose clamping device to squeeze fuel lines to prevent gas from spilling when filter is off.

thanks for the fuel filter advice....Im gonna do a search aswell. I noticed the stumbling went away after an oil change. It still slightly stumbles but minimally. No check engine lights ever come on.

Car sat outside this time for 2 days. Went this morning to turn it on and it cranked, started but sputtered and died. The 2nd try was totally normal and worked like it should. It would sputter as bad if it was in the garage where its not as damp and cool like it was these past nights.

Giving it gas while starting avoids the sputtering but I dont like to do that due to the rpm flying up there.