New to this forum and not that mechanically minded. I got fed up of running cars (mainly French one's) that don't stand the test of time!
I now have a 2002 C180K Elegance estate which has done 84K. I bought it at 66K 18 months ago with full MB service history (all checked out) and one owner. It has since been serviced once at a non franchised MB garage (SPR Autos in Stockport) recommended on this forum and seem very good. The car has been great with no problems, except I've had an engine warning light on the dash which came on last July on a long journey from Manchester to mid-France, fully loaded - 2 adults 2 kids, bikes on the roof and towing a trailer tent! It made it there and back and felt fine but I've been lazy about investigating the warning light since, as the car seemed to be ok. I was planning to mention it at the next service due very soon.
Today, while driving across Derbyshire back to my home in Manchester I think it caught up with me big time! I stopped briefly at shop i.e. engine wam. When I restarted it I tried to accelerate away but the engine initially would not respond at all. It then got going but was misfiring and well down on power. What followed was around 40 minutes of driving with what felt like half an engine, probably only 2 cylinders, vibrating / sounding like a lawn mower and struggling up hills on the A6 with a queue of traffic behind me (25 mph):Oops:. Eventually I stopped and parked it in Buxton, turned the engine off ready to call the AA. After a few minutes I restarted it and from then on it ran fine, as if it had completely re-set itself? Drove the rest of the way back with a completely smooth engine.
Any thoughts? Can anyone suggest what this might be before I get into the process of getting it diagnosed and spending money?
I now have a 2002 C180K Elegance estate which has done 84K. I bought it at 66K 18 months ago with full MB service history (all checked out) and one owner. It has since been serviced once at a non franchised MB garage (SPR Autos in Stockport) recommended on this forum and seem very good. The car has been great with no problems, except I've had an engine warning light on the dash which came on last July on a long journey from Manchester to mid-France, fully loaded - 2 adults 2 kids, bikes on the roof and towing a trailer tent! It made it there and back and felt fine but I've been lazy about investigating the warning light since, as the car seemed to be ok. I was planning to mention it at the next service due very soon.
Today, while driving across Derbyshire back to my home in Manchester I think it caught up with me big time! I stopped briefly at shop i.e. engine wam. When I restarted it I tried to accelerate away but the engine initially would not respond at all. It then got going but was misfiring and well down on power. What followed was around 40 minutes of driving with what felt like half an engine, probably only 2 cylinders, vibrating / sounding like a lawn mower and struggling up hills on the A6 with a queue of traffic behind me (25 mph):Oops:. Eventually I stopped and parked it in Buxton, turned the engine off ready to call the AA. After a few minutes I restarted it and from then on it ran fine, as if it had completely re-set itself? Drove the rest of the way back with a completely smooth engine.
Any thoughts? Can anyone suggest what this might be before I get into the process of getting it diagnosed and spending money?
