Intermittent vibration under power

[Cobra44]

Hi guys,

I've got a really strange problem which is proving difficult to diagnose on my 2017 W213 E Class 200d.

Almost on a daily basis the engine will suddenly feel really rough, almost like a misfire. When I try to accelerate it struggles at first, then as I push on through the accelarator it gets back on the power and changes up through the gears. But there is a terrible vibtation through the car, feels particularly bad when stood idling. It does this for a maximum of 5-10 mins, maybe for 6-7 miles, then all of a sudden it clears. After that it drives beautifully as before. Smooth, responsive, quiet.

Recently, the airbox has been replaced and the injectors and as a result it drives almost like new, but this problem persists daily for a few minutes. Just the weirdest thing!

So if anyone has experienced something simlilar or can offer any ideas as to what might be causing this, I'd be very grateful. It's drving me insane. Thanks.

 

[mattkh]

Almost on a daily basis the engine will suddenly feel really rough,

Next time it happens, bring the car to a halt and switch off the engine straight away.
Then immediately turn the key to start it.
Does the engine fire up immediately or does it crank longer than normal before firing up...?

 

[Cobra44]

Next time it happens, bring the car to a halt and switch off the engine straight away.
Then immediately turn the key to start it.
Does the engine fire up immediately or does it crank longer than normal before firing up...?

I had no problem for a whole day. I did as you suggested when it misfired today and started the engine again straight away without any problem.
After about 10 mins it cleared and ran smooth as you like for the rest of the day. Could it be anything to do with the ECU?

 

[mattkh]

Thank you for the feedback.
The fact that it fired up straight away rules out any electrical fault or ECU.
I think the key thing is that it takes about 10 minutes to clear up.
I would suspect the diesel especially as there are no stored fault codes.

 

[Cobra44]

Thank you for the feedback.
The fact that it fired up straight away rules out any electrical fault or ECU.
I think the key thing is that it takes about 10 minutes to clear up.
I would suspect the diesel especially as there are no stored fault codes.

Thanks for your reply. Do you mean dirty diesel? I have tried adding some Redex with a tank of fuel.

 

[bembo449]

When was it last serviced?

 

[Benz Carl]

How come I just see this now, just posted about a similar problem

 

[Cobra44]

Thanks for your reply. Do you mean dirty diesel? I have tried adding some Redex with a tank of fuel.

When was it last serviced?

Regularly serviced every 15k miles. Very recently had worn rocker arms and camshaft replaced, so oil changed. New air box too.

 

[Cobra44]

I’ve now filled the tank with Premium diesel 1.92 per litre!! Perhaps that might help clear it if it is a diesel issue.

 

[Benz Carl]

I did switch to normal shell from V power since this madness started

 

[Flyinspanner]

Fuel pump pressure?
fuel filter? (Do diesels have them?)

 

[mattkh]

fuel filter? (Do diesels have them?)

Yes Diesels have a fuel filter and
the filter housing has a tap to release any water that may have collected in it.

 

[Cobra44]

Yes Diesels have a fuel filter and
the filter housing has a tap to release any water that may have collected in it.

So maybe the fuel filter should be changed. I think it is due for a service B soon.

 

[bembo449]

This is why i asked about service work , i do fuel filter every other service so i think its worth doing that anyway , freelander td4 suffers from juddering/ hesitation when the fuel filter gets past its best so try that

 

[Cobra44]

This is why i asked about service work , i do fuel filter every other service so i think its worth doing that anyway , freelander td4 suffers from juddering/ hesitation when the fuel filter gets past its best so try that

Thanks Bembo will give it a go.

 

[Benz Carl]

On the last B service I didn’t changed the fuel filter cuz ‘cedes’ didn’t said so, I have change it 2 services ago, now I have a BH service in 7000 miles

 

[Cobra44]

On the last B service I didn’t changed the fuel filter cuz ‘cedes’ didn’t said so, I have change it 2 services ago, now I have a BH service in 7000 miles

I never understand what the additional letter means after either A or B when the service shows up in the car.

 

[Benz Carl]

A is considered minor and B major I hear meaning u have to check all the little things, but BH couldn’t find what it is

 

[daibevan]

Short for Bl00dy Hell is that the price!!

 

[Cobra44]

This is why i asked about service work , i do fuel filter every other service so i think its worth doing that anyway , freelander td4 suffers from juddering/ hesitation when the fuel filter gets past its best so try that

Sorry for delay posting here. Finally, had the fuel filter replaced, but it hasn't helped with the problem. I'm now analyzing the problem in more detail. By that I mean I've established that it happens daily, judders but no loss of power, lasts for approx 12 minutes, for about 8-9 miles. Yesterday I reset the trip and I travelled 438 miles before it re-occurred. I've reset the trip again to see if there's any similarity when it happens again.

It's almost as though there is some kind of computer glitch that once a day says, "Don't like this, I'm gonna play up for the next 12 minutes and misfire."
Immediately after as I've said previously it's back in the sweet spot, an absolute dream to drive. Honestly I'm not sure where to go from here!