2003 c230 hesitate/sputter on acceleration problem

Old Nov 4, 2012 | 10:15 PM
  #1  
jamiec230's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2003 mercedes benz c230 coupe
2003 c230 hesitate/sputter on acceleration problem

Hi guys,

This is my first post. I am a new MB owner and have to say I love the car. I bought a 2003 c230 Kompressor coupe 1.8litre 4 cylinder. I've only had the car for six months, purchased it used with 160,000 kms. I have to say the car is in mint condition inside and out and runs smooth until now.

Yes, the car is an automatic transmission with tiptronic -/+ manual feature. I read somewhere that this car has adaptive transmission,... that adapts to your driving pattern. Probably not that though.

The two previous owners took really good care of the car. I have all the service records. The car was always serviced at MB dealer and all the usual maintenance performed regularly. It's a weird problem, it hesitates, sputters and jerks slightly when you drive off from 0kms. It definitely feels like a clogged something that is confusing the fuel delivery to the engine.

If you drive very carefully from 0kms - to 20kms or 1st gear its fine, then when you give more gas from 1st - to 2nd it kind of hesitates/sputters or jerks like a loss of power, but only slightly then it's fine, then when you give it more gas from 2nd - to 3rd it kind of hesitates/sputters or jerks and loses slight power again, then once it's in 3rd or 4th it drives fine with no loss of vacuum or power. On the other hand, if I were to step on the pedel really fast from 0 to 60kms it goes with no problem. It shifts ok.

It feels like the car is confused. At times, it feels as if it dosen't know when or how much fuel to spray into the engine. Maybe the shift of the gears thing is just coincidence.

My first gut feeling is that gas is not being sprayed into the chambers evenly. Like clogged injectors or air/fuel mixture problem. Maybe a misfire.

i checked the service records and the car had a new a air filter, fuel filter and 4 spark plugs changed 1 year before i bought it. i also see that a vent hose was replaced through a recall - cause #2008110003. Also, it has already been in the shop 1 year ago for a misfiring problem or fuel trim problem. the cause was cyl #4 misfire and 2nd exhaust 02 sensor not working.

At first I thought it was the transmission, but it can't be. It has to be fuel/air problem. My first guess was the fuel itself. Maybe cheap gas. I've only put premium 91octane petro canada gas. Maybe its ethanol or water in the gas?

Anyone have any ideas?

Last edited by jamiec230; Nov 4, 2012 at 10:18 PM.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:22 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE