cold starts

[futsysmids]

I have just purchased a C180 auto of a 1997 P plate.

There are no problems with it except for:

When I start the car first thing in the morning - tick over is very slow to the point that it will cut out. So I keep my foot on the gas pedal for about a minute and it runs evenly.

After that until the car temp gets up to 80 degrees it runs as though it is struggling to get the gears - like it's keeping in low gear. After that point or around a mile up the road the car runs, drives fine and is ok all day.

Any ideas?

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Hello and welcome,
The auto gearbox when cold sounds normal. Mine doesn't change up readily until it gets warm.
The cold tick-over sounds abnormal. What fuel are you using and when was the car last serviced properly? How many miles has it done?
Ron

 

[futsysmids]

The car has done 85k, full service history. last service was 1000 miles ago. last fill up i used esso and tesco unleaded.

by the way - the front and rear brake pads were replaced just before I bought the car - and they squeal when braking - should they from new or have they been misaligned when fitted?

 

[television]

The car has done 85k, full service history. last service was 1000 miles ago. last fill up i used esso and tesco unleaded.

by the way - the front and rear brake pads were replaced just before I bought the car - and they squeal when braking - should they from new or have they been misaligned when fitted?

Brake squeal is caused through resonance and the chances are that no grease or insufficient has been used on the rear of the pads and plates, some folk say wrong pads but I doubt that as OE are so cheap these days. The pads would have to be removed again to to do this.

No time tonight to think of the low idle, if you do not get an answer,please post back

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Might be worth reading this but somehow I doubt if its the MAF it it runs OK when warm
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=14614&highlight=slow+idle
Haven't had the problem myself. Some people might suggest the EGR valve but again, I haven't had the problem fortunately.
BTW I'm a bit picky about the fuel I use. I WON'T use supermarket fuel. My Corsa won't run properly on it, and I won't risk my Merc or my wife's 206cc on it. Always use Shell, BP, Texaco and Esso myself.

As for the brake squeal I agree whole heartedly with Malcolms thoughts on this. Copaslip on the back of the pads ought to cure it.

Ron

 

[television]

Might be worth reading this but somehow I doubt if its the MAF it it runs OK when warm
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=14614&highlight=slow+idle
Haven't had the problem myself. Some people might suggest the EGR valve but again, I haven't had the problem fortunately.
BTW I'm a bit picky about the fuel I use. I WON'T use supermarket fuel. My Corsa won't run properly on it, and I won't risk my Merc or my wife's 206cc on it. Always use Shell, BP, Texaco and Esso myself.

As for the brake squeal I agree whole heartedly with Malcolms thoughts on this. Copaslip on the back of the pads ought to cure it.

Ron

Your thoughts on the EGR are feasible as it could cause a poor idle, when hot the fault could be masked or when it expands with the heat of the exhaust it could function OK

 

[futsysmids]

No Change - if not worse

I took the car into a local mb indie friday.

They cleaned out the MAF, deglazed the brakes and regreased them and balanced both the front wheels.

The cleaning of the MAF seems to have made no difference - it still stalls on first thing start up and runs like it is trying to stay in 2nd until it warms up.

The brakes squeal even worse now than before - but it is booked into the same garage for investigation on friday.

One of the front wheels was apparently 35 degrees out of balance - and the two front tyres are apparently " tread starting to lift ".

Any ideas - do I need a new MAF, or EGR or idling sensor?