C220 CDI - Max speed 40mph!

[pittallen]

Hi all,

I'm a bit worried about my wonderful C Class.

I was driving back late on Christmas Eve to find 20 miles from home that I had no pickup, the max speed I could reach was 40mph (maybe 50mph down hill) and about 3000rpm, and all that took 3-4 times longer to be reached than in normal conditions.

Trying the tronic gearbox to help me, dropping to 4th and 3rd would result in the engine rpm dropping and the car getting even slower.

I did have a request to add 1 ltr of oil in 2 days ago, but with xmas rush not had chance to do that yet, and likewise i'm about 1000 miles over a service, though I can't for one minute believe either are related.

I did manage to limp home (just), but I'm worried the car won't move off the drive now, and the nearest Merc garage is in Wolverhampton, some 15 miles away

Ideally I would like to try to get some insight in what people suspect this is? Expected cost of repair? If the problem is common?

All in all i'm worried that the car is damaged, I'm not at all experienced with the workings of cars...putting fuel and water etc is as far as I really understand.

Fire any questions my way.

 

[richard@focal.co.uk]

max speed 40mph

Hi
Had a similar problem with my S320cdi. If you have white smoke coming out of exhaust, could be a pipe come off the intercooler. A bracket had snapped and my local garage repaired for £50. Would have cost me £300 for new intercooler and same again for fitting.

If its not this - I have current problem my revs reach only 2000 when accelerating. Almost feels like its in safe mode. Even on tiptronic will only allow 3000 revs max. Kickdown does not work. If anyone out there has any ideas, would be greatfully appreciated and how to resolve. There are no fault codes coming up - had this checked.

Thanks

 

[DAD190E1990]

Electronic Ignition

Hi,
Both of these problems sounds like the Brain that is the electronic ignition and fuel injection control is going mad. I have had this problem on many vehicles including lots of motorcycles and it's always the exact same symptoms.
Whilst you may have various pipes come off or brackets snapped etc, this is very worth considering. Any independant specilaist will know about it being a common fault on your model / year and also they will know where to get another one. Fitting is reasonably straightforward and therefore will not cost too much for them to do as part of a supply and fit job. They should also offer to collect it for you if the running problem is that bad and normally this is around the £25 mark - worth every penny for not having to limp through traffic wondering if you'll make it.
As for damage, no i wouldn't say you had done any, if it's just down to a black box going down. If this is your problem, it will just have messed up the fuel / air mix and when the spark plug fires, which will give you poor running and no power. I can't see this doing anything other than possibly causing it to run lean and get hot. If you didn't notice any hotter than normal running, again i wouldn't worry if the problem is JUST the black box. Obviously you could have any other problem causing or making it worse but if not, a black box is a fairly common fault on any type of vehicle and should not be a huge problem to replace.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[pittallen]

Hi all,

Just thought I would give you all an update. I decided today to call Mercedes Breakdown Assistance (what a superb customer service team!!!!).

I was put through to Germany (later told this on the German/Dutch border) and explained the situation. The chap was quite concerned that I had waited a couple of days to call, I explained xmas period, did not want to get anyone out etc....he went on to say that's what I am paying for etc, so don't worry etc.

They took details and then someone from the UK (Croydon I think i was told) called me within 10 mins and said a chap would arrive within 90 mins, infact he turned up in 70 mins was even better

Anyway explained the best i could about the problem, he nodded and said it don't sound too serious unless it's Transmission. He got out his laptop and plugged in under the dash, and did a full test on car with something called ECU.

First few items came back with ticks, and then a big "F" next to "Air Mass Sensor" (along with some minor small f which will explain later on), which I was told was part of the Diesel Injection System, and keeps the engine basically running within it's limits. The report on laptop showed this had reported a fault twice within the last 25 miles.

The chap opened the engine, removed covered. Facing the engine, the item is located on the left and can be indicated in what could be described as a serial cable going to a big black pipe. You can unconnect this cable by simply pulling. This reveals 2 screw point. Undoing will then reveal a 10cm (long) x 4cm (wide) x 0.5cm (depth) black item with a what looks like a circuit board on the end. This is the "Air Mass Sensor". This was replaced in a couple of mins.

Laptop test was done again, and the big F went instantly from ECU
The chap also spotted 2 minor "f" which was front interior light switch, which he replaced for me, and back left break light, which turned out to be fuse playing up (both these i was not aware of, and did not expect to be cured as well....top notch service MB!!!)

The chap asked me to do a test drive.....blimey it feels like a new car....it has never felt so good in a long while, I would be as brave as to say, it's never ever been so resposive. Therefore either it's been a slow death of the part, or i got unlucky first time around from new.

Anway i hope this offers some insight to others reading.

------------------------------------
richard@focal.co.uk i wonder if yours is something similar to above? I too had no warnings or malfunctions reported, only when the engineers laptop was connected did issues become visable.

 

[television]

Parts like the MAF deteriate over a period of time and one does not notice the gradual fall off in performance until the point of no go comes along. All of us at some point in time will need one, though I know that some people clean thiers. If one intends to keep the car, its almost worth having one in stock

Malcolm

 

[Rory]

pittallen - thanks for the report, great service from Mobilo.

Few things I wondered - how old is your car, and did you have to pay for any of this work? (Wouldn't expect you to if the car is in warranty).
Did the repairman make any comment about the car being overdue for a service, or low on oil?

 

[pittallen]

pittallen - thanks for the report, great service from Mobilo.

Few things I wondered - how old is your car, and did you have to pay for any of this work? (Wouldn't expect you to if the car is in warranty).
Did the repairman make any comment about the car being overdue for a service, or low on oil?

03 Plate (March), purchased from Stockport branch. Still under Waranty....just! No Payment was due.

No comment was made about servicing or oil (I explained this chap anyway when he turned up so i guess that was taken on board). The service is something will get done in January, but trying to put it off cause last one cost nearly £600 (and they only appear to changed wiper blades).

 

[jberks]

The Air sensor failures are quite common and there generally isn't any warning. My car had actually been on a diagnostic check and it hadn't shown up. The O2 sensor was reported and been ordered but the MAS was quiet. 2 weeks later, it failed on the motorway and I too limped home at 40. I later discovered that it resets on a restart so switching off and on again may allow you go go home normally - or at least until it reports the fault again - but I wasn't brave enough to switch it off and find out!
Its good to hear that MB came out and actually had the parts available. Makes me a little more optomistic. You called out the Mobilio service. Whilst under warranty, you may be ok, but now you are over 3 years, the rules tighten up. One of the things they watch closely is the service intervals so I wouldn't leave that if you want to be able to call them again or you may find they say 'sorry, your cover is invalidated' next time! The alternative is to use a specialist for the service (£300 instead of £600) and spend another £70 or so on the RAC. Mine is only 1 year old and I am seriously considering not using the dealer for the service as I don't want to pay £600 for a wiper either, and having used a specialist for the E240, the quality of the work is equal if not better! It doesn't afect the Mobilio for Yrs 1,2,3 but after that it does.

 

[SJMaxson]

Mobilo service intervals exceeded

I have booked my C270 in for a B service, fully expecting to be able to use it very little and so to get to the service with at least 100 miles in hand.

However, our other car cut-out the other day, and had to be recovered by the AA, leading to my having had to use the C for a couple of longish journeys more than anticipated.

Its currently saying "Service Due Now!" on ASSYST and, I have only one 35 mile return trip left to do before, hopefully, other car comes back, and I can rest it till the service.

How long does it stay on "Service Due Now"? Is it a 100-mile (ish) increment like the countdown? If so, I will either be very close or 100 miles over. Will this invalidate the MOBILO, or do they give you a bit of leeway?

Many thanks for response in advance.

 

[martthefart]

You could also try checking out extended car waranty schemes. They cost about £60-80 per month for an S-Class 320 CDi. Check the small print as they will only cover what they state in the policy and they may specify where the car is serviced, but many accept independent specialist service centres. May be worth it for peace of mind as new cars can be very, very expensive to fix?

Mart