My engine has lost power and is juddering.

[nuts17]

Hi, I have a 1996 W124 E220. Suddenly tonight, without any prior warning, the engine began to judder and it lost power. It is an automatic, and I had a hard job in traffic to keep it going. Any ideas? The symptoms sound like those caused by silicone in petrol, but I bought my petrol just a couple of days ago from Tescos, and everything was fine. Could it be a dirty carb. or spark plugs? Also if I telephone the AA tomorrow, would they come out?

 

[mattkh]

Hang on to the receipt from Tesco for the petol.

 

[hmang]

...or your credit card reciept

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Could be a number of things, faulty coil, bad leads, blocked exhaust, bad fuel, etc.

 

[television]

I think it is the MAF

 

[nuts17]

Thanks, Guys!

The AA have relayed Jezabel to the garage that I use in Lingfield. I have got my fingers crossed that she doesn't require a new engine, as the AA mechanic suggested. I will let you know!

Cheers,

Nuts

 

[redchurch]

I've had this problem on a different vehicle, one of those little Suzuki Jeeps, and it turned out to the fuel starvation. The pump was failing/not sending enough fuel to the engine and so it'd judder and slow down then judder and kick back in when the pump came back to life.

 

[nuts17]

Thanks to all of you who took the trouble to reply. My heart was in my mouth, so to speak, when I phoned the garage. However, I didn't need a new engine, just a new set of coils and spark plugs. The whole repair is costing me £550, but that's so much less than what I feared I would have to fork out!

Happy driving!

Nuts

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Hi Nuts,
I hope the garage is right!
Let us know if it solves it please.
Ron

 

[kth286]

nuts17

Would you be so kind as to give us a breakdown of the final.

Itemised parts cost and labour cost.

Whether it is a Merc specialist garage also.

Thanks

 

[nuts17]

Could I ask, why, David? It is a Merc specialist garage, and they are totally trustworthy. I may not have included all the parts that will need to be replaced. Please let me know.

Nuts

 

[nuts17]

Could I ask why, David? They are a Merc specialist garage, and trustworthy. They may not have given me a full list of replacement parts over the phone. Let me know.

Nuts

 

[kth286]

Nuts

I do not want to be the one to put the cat amongst the pigeons BUT the cost of 2 coils at say £47 each and 4 spark plugs at £2 each, gives a total parts cost of £102.

Therefore labour is going to be £448 at say £60 per hour equals 7.46 hours ie. a FULL DAY.

If these figures are real, it is an absolute RIPP OFF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could be kind and suggest a generous 1 hour for the plugs and another 1 hour for the coils (because they have also done a diagnostic test) equals £120 for the labour cost.

So, based on what you have told us, the total cost should be no more than
£222. You are potentially being overcharged £328 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BlackC55]

The coils can take more than 1 hour to replace as they are quite awkward to remove.

A diagnostic test can cost around £40-£70 depending on where you go. (indie)

 

[nuts17]

Rip off?!!

Hi, David and also BlackC55!

Here is the info: Parts

Investigate non running check Management check, £90.00
Coil set (2) £147.82
Management systems and report Ignition leads £ 55.17
Spark plugs £ 19.80
Replace faulty ignition coils and Sundries £ 08.00
Lead set. Reset systems, road test Part Total £320.79
and Report Labour £150.00
Subtotal £470.79
VAT £ 82.38
TOTAL £553.17

I am very interested to know what you think! My brother who has offices above the garage, reckons that the owner is honest.

Regards,

Nuts.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

That sounds an aful lot to me. It most of only been one coil failure, or one lead or one plug at fault. To replace the job lot seems very belts and braces and unessescery to me!

 

[Hibbo]

Good god!

 

[BlackC55]

What is Report labour?

 

[Glenn Smith]

Hi, David and also BlackC55!

Here is the info: Parts

Investigate non running check Management check, £90.00
Coil set (2) £147.82
Management systems and report Ignition leads £ 55.17
Spark plugs £ 19.80
Replace faulty ignition coils and Sundries £ 08.00
Lead set. Reset systems, road test Part Total £320.79
and Report Labour £150.00
Subtotal £470.79
VAT £ 82.38
TOTAL £553.17

I am very interested to know what you think! My brother who has offices above the garage, reckons that the owner is honest.

Regards,

Nuts.

mmmm! adds up, i'd say it would've been cheaper at a Mercedes Dealership.

 

[Glenn Smith]

parts are pricey too, euro car parts do coils at£45 or £18 each and a set of leads for £26