hkalltheway

Hey there,

I have a 2005 C230 K sedan. I have roughly 10500 kilometers on it, so it's fairly new. Recently, I've noticed that when I start the car after two days or so since it was last run, I turn the ignition, and it seems to start, but it seems to roll down to an extremely low RPM and is just about to stall, and that lasts for a few seconds, where you hear the engine choking. Then, it suddenly jumps to around 1500 rpm and things get back to normal. What could be wrong here? I haven't taken it to get checked yet, and was wondering if this is a major issue, or is it ok to wait another 5000km till my service A? Thanks for any help

inFiniTE LooP

i had the same problem as well, if you can put any higher octane gas in it that should help a bit, i was using 93 octane before then found a Sunoco with 94 octane gas and the 'near stalling' stopped happening, then i switched back to 93 (V-power Shell) and haven't had the problem since. i'd say you're ok to wait another 5000km, i dont think it's a big problem.

hkalltheway

Hey there, thank you for your response I also thought of the same thing, but then I suddenly remembered that I've never put less than 94 octane in my car. Only once or twice have I put 93. I always usually put the Sunoco ultra 94, and that's why I was curious if this had to do with the octane, or something more serious. If it keeps happening, and if it stalls to the point where it turns off and I have to restart, I will take it in to the service department. I'm usually not picky about minor things, and although a lot of minor problems here or there, they didn't bother me to visit the service department. This might be one of those where I might need to, although I'm still hesitant. Let's see what happens

mick1

wow 93 and 94 octane gas !

I use 91 octane gas and it seems to work fine.

caliboy

I posted this same problem about a month ago and most people said it was the fuel I was using. Other theories were carbon build up? I have not had the problem since, but I think it was a bad batch of low octane gas 91 or so that did. I will ask my dealer to see if there have been any major complaints.

FrankW

was the car parked outside in low temp overnight? I had that experience before when the car was outside in 35-40 degree temp overnight. It had a little hard time starting, but it was fine. It wasn't the fuel in my case.

tyro

I have noticed that my C230K does not start like "instant on", as my other 2 cars did. It takes a good second or two before it catches.
It might be because the supercharger has to be spooled up.

hkalltheway

The car was parked inside the garage, where it's nice and warm. Surprisingly, it never acted like this in the winter, and Canadian winters are quite cold, so it resisted. I have no idea. I'll try filling up after this tank at another gas station and see if the problem persists. I appreciate the replies by all of you. Thanks!

Narcissus

Turn your key to position 2 for a few seconds.. I usually wait after the seatbelt warning sound and then turn the engine on... If you listen closely you'll hear the fuel pump working.... actually I suggest this to anybody who actually bought their car and want to keep it for long... 90% of engine wear comes from starting....

Narcissus

Don't use Petro-Canada's 94. it will leave crazy carbon deposits. Canadian specs car are set for 91 octane.. you should use that.

k_lundquist

Narcissus is right, I do the same exact thing. You can hear a low hum in the key position right before ignition. Wait a few seconds until that hum is done. On colder days it can be longer. Then start her up! Should fix it. Works for me. Didnt know this was the fuel pump, thought it was the oil pump, thanks for the info.

inFiniTE LooP

hah, i didn't know it was the fuel pump either, i thought it was the fan for the air conditioning

Capt Nemo o2

Thats how I start my other car... Turn the key, wait for the pump to slow, pull the choke, pump the gas twice and then push half way and crank it... Usually it will start on the third try when its cold!

Now here is a not so off topic question... How come the manual transmission cars have to hold the key to start it, but the autos dont? That never really made sense to me?...

Narcissus

I'm sorry, the hum you hear is the oil pump, I don't think you can hear the fuel pump, but it's priming.