Hi, I have a w210 E230. a 4 cylinder 2.3 which I assume is identical to an older W202 Cclass. (re-posted)

Before, the car would not start with the starter turning and with a strong battery.

Replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump. new air cleaner. All parts are MB Originals.------- everything went back to normal.... until half a year later.

Now, when in traffic, the engine just shuts down. But it will start once you turn the key.

Also, when making a slow full turn, the idle drops a bit and then the engine shuts off.

I also noticed that The idling is a bit unstable. When you press the accelerator and release it, the tach needle drops to about almost zero then regains to its normal idling speed.


What do you think is the problem of the engine? Something to do with my idling? dirty fuel?

Thanks for any help......

Some details would help.

What year is the car, and what engine? Are you sure it's the 2.3L 8V engine shared with the much-earlier W201, or the 2.3L M111 DOHC engine? They use completely different engine management and fuel injection systems, and diagnosing running problems for the two engines is a different process.

Does your car have a check-engine light? If so, is it on? Have you had any techs examine the car?

When was the last time tune-up parts were replaced? Plugs, wires, etc?

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

The E230 was never sold in the U.S., but I believe your engine is the same that was used in the W202 C230.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Do you have a vac leak somewhere? A leak can affect your idle.

Any engine error codes? Is your check engine light on? If so, read the code by plugging a code reader in to the diagnostic port under the dash.

Sorry, the car is 1996 W210 E230 German model. Identical to a W202 C230 engine


The spark plugs are about a year old. The high tension wires are still 1996 original.

No check engine light whatsover is blinking.

Thanks

Similar problems occured to me occassiolnally. My car exactly the same specification as yours. Anyway I'm still trying to locate the problem. Pse let me know once yours is OK.

Repalce the fuel pump relay.
I had this problem with my '94 E320.
Because the fuel pump relay is energised when the engine is running, the fuel pump relay will deteriorate faster. The coil relay even though it is still good its resistance incrases as it aged and when its temperature rises. This will cause a demand for a higher voltage rating to operate. The holding contact will give way shutting down the fuel pump.

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94 E320 Silver 210000 miles
94 740il Pewter Green 97000 miles- Retired
05 S430 4Matic
07 Lexus IS250

After much frustration, I think I have solved the problem.

I just cleaned the throttle body, butterfly and that oval hole inside the body. It is quite dirty and has a lot of soot stuck to it.

I think it idles a bit higher and better now. It hasn't stalled since then. The idling is around 6000 in drive and around 1000 in park both with the A/C on.

Hope this is it.