C180 Will Not Start After Short Journey

[HRNichol]

Hi, something of a mystery on my 1998 C180 Estate (90 000 miles ish). The car is completely reliable, never failing to start - normally! However, if I have to start the car to move it just a few yards, and then switch off (e.g. I have to move the car to get my other car out of the garage - short and narrow drive!), then the next time I came to use the Merc it has trouble starting. It will churn away for 30-60 seconds, until eventually it will fire and then run normally, and never repeat the probelm until I again only move the car a few yards....

I have wondered if the car is overfuelling itself (choke in old language) and thus when I start it again I am getting no spark from wet plugs. However, sometimes it has trouble starting despite the fact that I have not moved the car again until 24 hrs after its 'short' journey.

Do I have a problem - or do I just accept that I whenever I move the car drive it for a few miles as a minimum (once round the block?)

Any help gratefully received

Many thanks

Richard

 

[Frustrated]

You too, eh??

My 1997 R reg C180 has always had the same problem. Had it for three years now and I'm TOTALLY NOT mechanically minded so the first time it would not start I took the easy way out & called the RAC. Their guy said Mercs, BMWs and some other quality cars have the same problem, saying it was a 'feature' of the Bosch starter system - move it a few feet and it thinks it doesn't need to start again. I got into the habit of taking a quick trip round the local roads if ever I wanted to move the car just a few feet, and it worked.

One time, when I forgot, I called the RAC out again. This time, their guy disagreed with his colleague saying 'don't be daft, Merc would never allow this kind of thing to happen'. Oh, really???

I tend to believe the first guy - it's a feature!! :-?

Sorry, Richard. No help at all, but it may be comforting to know you are not alone. Mind you, I have another problem with mine, posted elsewhere. Briefly it defaulted into third gear (get-you-home mode) in January, went in to the MB dealership on 4th Feb to fix it, and it is still there. They called me today to say they still do not know what is wrong!!!! :?

Frustrated, but zooming round the local lanes in a Smart Roadster - great fun!!

 

[Myros]

me too

my 94 c280 will do the same if I attempt a car park shuffle, although it fires and then runs really lumpy, just as though it has a plug or two wet with fuel. The remedy is let it idle until at least the air pump has switched itself off, or alternatively, whistle "dixie" in its entirety while letting your engine idle. Quick start-stops do the motor no good anyway, as you leave a lot of unburnt fuel on the cylinder walls and wash off the oil film, which leads to increased wear and tear on start-up.