Hello, the last two weeks or so I've notice my 2000 c230 kompressor coughs quite a bit before it starts up. It had been working great for the last 6 months, but lately its just acting strangely. I had an oil change about 9,000 miles ago (was told every 10,000 miles) also the sparks plugs were changed about 6 months ago. But this is occurance, any ideas?

 

I posted a similar thread in the Tech forum, as you can see, no responses.

https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-tech-talk/214518-2000-c230k-starting-problem.html

 

wow, your above post is exactly what is happening to me. You describe it perfectly. My car has actually just hit 100,000 miles also. First start of the day has a bit of trouble, the rest of the days its fine. If you find the answer let me know!

Edit: I found a similar post here with answers
http://www.mercedesforum.com/archive...ld-8212-1.html

 

I am not sure if that post is for the same problem, it seems as though those people are having constant rough running at low RPMs when cold. Or were there different people with two different problems?

The problem that I am having lasts for just a second after starting.

 

ah yes, I have the same problem still. That was the closest answer I could find. I hope someone can figure this out.

 

It is becoming a common problem with C230K as it ages. You will find multiple threads across various 202 forums in regard to this issue but no confirmed solutions. If anyone has solved the issue for certain, they have not posted back to the threads to confirm the solution worked long-term (at least that I have read).

 

why dont you just take it to the service and see what they say

 

Try running a full tank of low octane fuel and see if this helps. We received a bulletin years back that sounded similar to this. The lower octane fuel enabled an easier cold start.

Also check for oil contamination of the airflow sensor in the charge pipe. There have been issues of sticking purge valves on the higher mileage M111 kompressor motors. There are updated parts to help prevent this.

I also remember some old C220 non-supercharged engines with low stumbly idles that would need the throttle valve cleaned. When the throttle snapped shut it would stick and not allow the M16 to be able to adjust for idle speed. I never saw this issue on the supercharged M111 but the miles are getting up there for some new problems.

 

The car has been in three times since the major maintainance service (100k miles) for this issue alone, they were not able to do anything about it.

One time they tried filling it up with regular, which did not help at all, but did decrese the performance and fuel economy for that tankfull.

 

One thing I was trying to remember was whether there has been a difference between summer and winter. My car used to have the problem pretty bad. Then the ECU was swapped out. I don't think it was the source of the problem though. It worked for a while and then the starts weren't bad but certainly you could tell they were not strong/peppy. That would coincide with spring when the formulation changes. After this last fill-up, starts have felt much better (it is the start of fall around here and I only fill up about once a month). Same premium gas from the same station. If there is a seasonal correllation, I am wondering if it is due to the winter vs. summer gasoline formulas. The two formulations are quite different due to the regulations imposed in my rather large metro area in order to help lower smog. Just a thought. I am only one data point and have not kept decent notes, so it could just be a red herring but I thought I would pass it along.

 

Just to help hopefully solve this mystery, the car is going to an MB dealer, so we can hopefully assume all parts are correct and procedures have been followed.

Also, it is not really a hard start, but a stall after starting.

I have also found out that it is not related to time, i.e. how long the car has sat, but based purely on tempterature. The colder, the more "certain" the stalling is.

 

Since my c230 now has this strange starting issue, and has just hit 100k. What preventative maintenance do you recommend? I just got the car 6 months ago, but I do not know if the fuel filter, etc has been changed..

Would that help?

 

The 100k mile service was quite extensive, done at an MB dealer of course, and fully synthetic fluids were specified.

1. Oil Change Mobil 1 0w-40 and OEM filter.
2. Transmission fluid and filter change (Mercedes OEM Syn ATF)
3. Differential fluid change. (SYN)
4. Coolant change. (OEM)
5. Fuel Filter Change
6. Air filter
7. Cabin Air filter
8. Spark Plugs
9. Brake Fluid Change

I hope I have not forgotten something, but I believe that was the service on the car.

 

Thought that someone may be interested, the starting problem was resolved. It was the brand of gas he was using, he switched to a different brand, (still using Premium of course) and the problem has gone for good.

 

I have this problem too and it goes away after the first few blocks of driving, I have no specific gas station/company of preference so I don't think it has anything to do with that. What is most likely the cause is the fuel filter which in your case may have been there since original (100,000 miles is 5 times over the recommended replacement time).
I have a new fuel filter in hand now and should try replacing it in the next few days. I should be reporting any success, I hope.
Dealer wants 200+ to replace the filter. It is easy to access just under the right side raer passenger area near the fuel tank. If you take the part to a local mechanic he may be able to replace it for you cheaper/.

I usually buy these parts at :
germanstar.net they have good rates and you can call and talk to a person who knows what they are selling.

 

The dealer was actually very reasonable about the service, every single service that is available for the car was performed. The car is quite impressive, people who are not familiar with MB usually think it is new.

 

c 220 hard to start in the morning