C220 Engine cuts out whilst driving at low speeds and when idle

[rye]

Hi All,

I have recently been getting the following problems:

1. Whilst idle, my engine just shutdown at the traffic lights and restarting the car and the engine worked fine.
2. In the past month the engine has cut out twice whilst driving at low speeds, restarting the engine worked fine.
3. Whilst driving, around 30MPH the car seemed to almost shut down as all the warning lights came on, pressing down on the accelerator seem to prevent it from shutting down and the car was fine.

Some of the fixes:
New Fuel Filter - Checking through the log book, I noticed the Fuel Filter hadn't been changed for 4 years and reading up online seemed to point to that. I got this replaced and the car seemed to be performing better BUT the engine almost shutting down is still happening.

New Battery - As the original battery wasn't keeping charge and was advised to get a new battery

Diagnostic Check - I have also taken the car to be diagnosed by Mercedes and no didn't find any issues other than some under voltage (attached report).

I have read through some of the other threads and some of the symptoms seem to be pointing towards the Crankshaft Position Sensor.

I would be grateful if someone could help me pinpoint the issue.

 

[Uncle Benz]

I would probably do an injector leak off test next.

 

[television]

The CPS can fail when the engine is hot, and it has to cool down a little before it will start again, this is the usual way that they fail. There is exception and they just go open circuit. Your fault does not sound like this is the problem, more fuel related.

 

[Dogfish]

Have you checked for air bubbles in the fuel lines yet?

Sounds like fuel rail is too low pressure at idle, but that's just a guess.
How many miles has she done and what fuel system work has been done previously?
I'd try running some strong fuel injector cleaner through but a STAR test would probably help pinpoint areas of issue.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

I to would go for the faulty CPS sensor .

 

[rye]

Mercedes have agreed to check the car again for free since it's only been a week since they put in the STAR machine to read the codes.

I am leaning towards a fuel related issue too.

I filled up a full tank of diesel and done about 70 miles and it's already on the half way mark!

I haven't carried out any air bubbles or other fuel related diagnostics myself.
I'm going to put all these suggestions forward to the Mercedes mechanic and hopefully can assist in pinpointing the issue.

I have put in some Redex Diesel cleaner and plan to do another one today.

Since I posted the issue, the car did shut down completely just as I was turning left in to my road around and had to re-start it and worked fine.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

[turbopete]

this doesn't sound like a CPS to me. this sounds like a fuelling issue, either a leak and its drawing air in, or a bad injector dumping too much fuel into a cylinder and dropping the fuel rail pressure, IMO

 

[rye]

Just got the car back from Mercedes.

They identified the stalling issue to be a Relay which they fixed for £44.52.

They also found 2 other issues:
1 - VHC Rear Pads - worn at 75% and quoted £134.44
2 - VHC Suspension - Broken N/S/R coil spring, replace in pairs 1.8 and quoted £457.22

I'm surprised these things weren't picked up a week ago when they did the initial checks.

Hoping that the Relay fix has solved the stalling issue.

Can anyone advise on the quoted price for getting the coil spring fixed?

Thanks guys.

 

[Dogfish]

Glad to hear that it's just a relay.
Do springs yourself, easy job. What colour are they? I have 2 old ones in the garage, I'll check the colour code later on.

 

[turbopete]

rear springs sound a bit on the pricey side. the last ones I bought for the 2001 C220cdi I had were about £50 each. £350ish seems a lot just to fit 2 springs. I must admit that no garage ive worked in ever bothered fitting in pairs, unless fitting 1 left the other side significantly lower. even at 100k miles I replaced 1 spring on its own on my 203, and it sat perfectly level. I don't think springs last long enough nowadays to get weak enough to show a significant difference in ride height, as a general rule (there are always exceptions)

 

[Dogfish]

Agree with you Pete, costly for labour.
The spares I have are 3 blue lines of paint but for a sport coupe, just seen you have an aventgarde so probably won't fit, doh.
Where are you? Have you got tools to DIY?

 

[rye]

I have got the two issues highlighted sorted by a friend of mine who's a mechanic for a fraction of the quoted price.

So far the car has been running great and has not cut out whilst driving since the relay switch was replaced.

I have recently noticed the engine does cutout straight after starting the car. It seems to be that after I start the car, the engine will run for 3-5 seconds and then stop. I restart it and it works fine.

The few times that this has happened, I have tried to turn the key quite fast when it happens.

If I start the car by turn the key and pausing at each stage, I don't get the issue.

Any thoughts guys?

Thanks in advance.

 

[television]

Fuel pressure regulator is one thing that could do it.

 

[turbopete]

Agree with you Pete, costly for labour.
The spares I have are 3 blue lines of paint but for a sport coupe, just seen you have an aventgarde so probably won't fit, doh.
Where are you? Have you got tools to DIY?

mine was an elegance saloon. I sold the car almost 18 months ago now, and still regret it

 

[rye]

Now it seems the original problem is back where the engine cuts out at slow speeds / whilst stationary.

I guess the issue wasn't the Relay Switch that Mercedes fixed for me. I definitely think it's a fuel related problem too as some of you guys have suggested.

Not sure whether to take it back to Mercedes again and have them plug in the STAR machine and check again?

It could be to do with the CPS, leak, bad injector, fuel rail pressure...

This one seems hard to pinpoint as there's so many things that could cause it

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Check all the earth straps for tightness/corrosion. Used to be an issue on some of the 210s but not so much the 203.

 

[lwbnick]

Leak off test needed?

 

[davemercedes]

rear springs sound a bit on the pricey side. the last ones I bought for the 2001 C220cdi I had were about £50 each. £350ish seems a lot just to fit 2 springs. I must admit that no garage ive worked in ever bothered fitting in pairs, unless fitting 1 left the other side significantly lower. even at 100k miles I replaced 1 spring on its own on my 203, and it sat perfectly level. I don't think springs last long enough nowadays to get weak enough to show a significant difference in ride height, as a general rule (there are always exceptions)

fyi:
Rear springs on my C220 CDi (Avantgarde Estate S203) were replaced by my local indy for £180 inc VAT (Springs £30 +VAT each) in March 2015.

 

[poseidon]

Hi

i had the issue of engine cutting out at idle.
It was resolved when all four injectors were replaced (£2000).

regrads,
pose

 

[rye]

I just had the front SAM unit replaced on recommendation by Mercedes for £440 and they said to monitor the issue... since I replaced it (3 days ago it has stalled twice in the same day after starting and just about to turn left/right.

Will be taking it back to them to look again but It must be a fuel related issue I think.

I think if it's going to cost another £3-400 without knowing exactly what;s causing it, probably better off driving it as it is and selling it.