Vibrating Engine

[Paul Wong]

My 98' C240 has only 27K mileage. Since I came back from a long trip weeks ago, the engine started vibrating during the first 20-30 minutes from cold start and nearly stalled in front of red lights. At the same time, a spanner sign appeared everytime I started the engine. Please advise if it's time to renew the fuel filter, spark plug etc. Thanks.

Paul

 

[jberks]

The spanner is telling you it needs a service, so whatever the schedule says. Plugs are good for 60k though to be fair at that age, they should be done anyway. Start with the service, and at the age, I'd also recommend a gearbox oil and filter change if it hasn't been done.
None of that will probably cure the running though.
The vibration could be a symptom of safe mode triggered by a dodgy sensor such as the MAF - possibly worth having the fault codes read initially. There are other possible causes from plug leads through to the throttle actuator so start with the codes - it may be the cheapest route.

 

[Paul Wong]

jberks

Thanks for your recommendations. Actually, I'm thinking of a lubrication and oil filter change in the next couple of days. Now, Now I'll kave the plugs replaced as well. Is it necessary to change the fuel filter altogether, at that age? BTW, is fault code reading equivalent to a computer analysis? Regards.

Paul

 

[Rory]

Excuse me if I've got this wrong, but you sound as though you don't know much about cars, and your car sounds like it might not have had very much servicing during its life?
You should take it to a Mercedes dealer (many give discounts for older cars) or a trusted Mercedes specialist (tell us where you are and maybe somebody can suggest one) and let them guide you. Your car may need quite a lot of work, especially fluids changing etc.

 

[jberks]

Thanks for your recommendations. Actually, I'm thinking of a lubrication and oil filter change in the next couple of days. Now, Now I'll kave the plugs replaced as well. Is it necessary to change the fuel filter altogether, at that age? BTW, is fault code reading equivalent to a computer analysis? Regards.

Paul

Yes - get the fault codes read first and as Rory says, have an expert look it over. The service often covers a great deal more than oil and filters and neglect of these things will turn your car into an unreliable liability as you are starting to discover. Whilst low mileage sounds good, it can actually be very bad for the car over a long period and some things may not appear on the schedule but need doing anyway.
As Rory says, give it to a specialist - these are not the sorts of cars to be fixed in the back street workshops or on an ad-hoc basis -it can be a very expensive false economy.

 

[Paul Wong]

I'll ask the help from a specialist right away. Thanks to all.

 

[Paul Wong]

Yes jbergs, the specialist (not MB dealer) found one of the 4 sensors in the exhaust faulty. Together with oil and filter changes, it cost only 173 pounds.