Check Engine Light - Misfire Cylinder 1 - M271
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
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From: Savannah, GA
C230K
Check Engine Light - Misfire Cylinder 1 - M271
I had a CEL which registered as a misfire in Cylinder 1. I have since done an italian tune-up and bought some techron. The engine seems to be running fine, although the CEL did scare me a bit. I had the code removed it has not since reappeared.
What could be the cause of this and what should be the first steps taken?
My car is a 2005 C230K with 80,000 miles M271 Engine.
On a side note, I also have a low coolant temp CEL.
What could be the cause of this and what should be the first steps taken?
My car is a 2005 C230K with 80,000 miles M271 Engine.
On a side note, I also have a low coolant temp CEL.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 260
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From: Los Angeles
05 C230 Kompressor
My thread on the thermostat, look for the other thread where it shows you where its at and how i did it for reference
CLICK ME
Chris
Last edited by seagel1000; Mar 9, 2010 at 08:10 PM.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
The thermostat is a P0128 code about the engine being unable to reach operating temperature. I'm well aware of this and I didn't say that a bad thermostat would cause him to get a misfire code. An engine that can't reach optimum temperature can run a bit funny, and it IS possible that these two could be related. He needs to replace the thermostat since that is established as a problem and go from there. We had a member not long ago have a M271 giving a "too lean" code in conjunction with the 0128 and replacing the thermostat fixed both issues.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
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From: Savannah, GA
C230K
Ok looks like I will be replacing the thermostat.... hopefully its easy... I'll probably get it from autohausaz.com
It just so happens I did replace the fuel filter 3000 miles ago and when i started the car, I forgot to leave it in position 2 to prime the fuel pump, and it ran funny and threw a CEL I just turned the car off, and the light went away...
I wonder if that particular Cylinder 1 Misfire CEL was from changing the fuel filter and it was still stored in the OBD II database... and the CEL that came on just the other day was only the thermostat??
Would it be wise to clean the MAF sensor and check the plug and coil pack or would that be unnecessary?
It just so happens I did replace the fuel filter 3000 miles ago and when i started the car, I forgot to leave it in position 2 to prime the fuel pump, and it ran funny and threw a CEL I just turned the car off, and the light went away...
I wonder if that particular Cylinder 1 Misfire CEL was from changing the fuel filter and it was still stored in the OBD II database... and the CEL that came on just the other day was only the thermostat??
Would it be wise to clean the MAF sensor and check the plug and coil pack or would that be unnecessary?
Last edited by manpoole; Mar 10, 2010 at 12:23 AM.
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2006 SLK280
I got the same CEL. Changed the plugs (they were due, 119,000 miles) and the light went off after 2 days. Been of for about a week now. Had the low coolant temp at the same time. I didn't do anything about that but the light still went off on its own. I may need to change the thermostat also.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 254
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From: Houston TX
2004 C230K
I had a CEL which registered as a misfire in Cylinder 1. I have since done an italian tune-up and bought some techron. The engine seems to be running fine, although the CEL did scare me a bit. I had the code removed it has not since reappeared.
What could be the cause of this and what should be the first steps taken?
My car is a 2005 C230K with 80,000 miles M271 Engine.
On a side note, I also have a low coolant temp CEL.
What could be the cause of this and what should be the first steps taken?
My car is a 2005 C230K with 80,000 miles M271 Engine.
On a side note, I also have a low coolant temp CEL.
this had happen to me awhile back but i had extended warranty and they took care of it for me otherwise i would have paid a fortune at the MB dealer here in houston
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Member
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Massachusetts
05 c230 kompressor SS 6MT & 07 BMW 335i
was your car sputtering when the CEL came on? i got the misfire cyl 1 code a few months ago and then shortly after, the car started to bog and sputter. After shutting down, turning back on and clearing codes, problem seemed to go away. Happened again a few days later, so I pulled the plugs and coils to find cyl 1 spark plug fouled and the coil pack to be bad. I would advise that simple check right away and to change all the plugs. Most likely is the coilpack though...
I also replaced my thermostat around the same time, as my coolant temp gauge was reading very low even after driving the car for a while. the thermostat had nothing to do with my misfiring.
I also replaced my thermostat around the same time, as my coolant temp gauge was reading very low even after driving the car for a while. the thermostat had nothing to do with my misfiring.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
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From: Savannah, GA
C230K
80,000 miles I got the car CPO at 40,000 miles not sure if they changed the plugs and coil packs doubtful... how exactly do I check the coil pack? What do i need to look for?
I think I am just going to change the spark plugs out since they are cheap and easy.
I think I am just going to change the spark plugs out since they are cheap and easy.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 411
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From: Florida
'04 C230K SS
Funny...I have had the same problem for about a week now. Yesterday I cleaned the MAF sensor and it runs smoother but the problem hasn't gone away. I ordered the spark plugs and I will possibly order the coils as well. I have been thinking myself that a coil is bad or something. We'll see...
Good luck with your fix. Please let us know how it goes!
Good luck with your fix. Please let us know how it goes!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
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From: Savannah, GA
C230K
I am leaning more and more towards thinking the misfire code was a result of changing the fuel filter and not primming the fuel pump 3000 miles ago because i did get a CEL then and maybe thats what the OBD II scanner read. I will check the plug and coil pack regardless but I have no idea what to look for in a bad coil pack?
and jokerswld it did sputter pretty good and through a CEL the first time i started it after changing the fuel filter, it frightened me a good bit to say the least, although after i turned off the car and the started it again, all was fine.
and jokerswld it did sputter pretty good and through a CEL the first time i started it after changing the fuel filter, it frightened me a good bit to say the least, although after i turned off the car and the started it again, all was fine.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The only way to check coil packs if you don't have a new spare is to swap them to another cylinder & see if the misfire code changes cylinder.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Single cylinder misfires are pretty common on the M271 motor. If it's not the obvious spark plug/wire/coil pack, then do a compression leak down test and see if the exhuast valve is cooked. If so, just replace the head and you are good to go.
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From: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
W203 Elegance C200K Kompressor (M271)
Guys,
I had the same problem. In fact, mine was misfiring of 2nd cylinder. I changed my spark plugs and coil as well. It doesn't help at all.
The actual problem is due to:
1. Top cylinder is extremely dirty. Solution: Top manifold block overhaul is required. This cost heaps of $$$ to do so.
2. One of the piston could have been dented and caused the small piece to move around within the engine block. So, the moment when we accelerate, that piece of thing might stick with one of the engine cam and trigger the misfiring issue. However, when we shut down the engine and power up again, this piece of metal might have dropped some where else until it hits the cam again. Then, the misfiring will come back again!
My current mileage is 90,000km+ Sigh..................
I had the same problem. In fact, mine was misfiring of 2nd cylinder. I changed my spark plugs and coil as well. It doesn't help at all.
The actual problem is due to:
1. Top cylinder is extremely dirty. Solution: Top manifold block overhaul is required. This cost heaps of $$$ to do so.
2. One of the piston could have been dented and caused the small piece to move around within the engine block. So, the moment when we accelerate, that piece of thing might stick with one of the engine cam and trigger the misfiring issue. However, when we shut down the engine and power up again, this piece of metal might have dropped some where else until it hits the cam again. Then, the misfiring will come back again!
My current mileage is 90,000km+ Sigh..................
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I think dirty valves is becoming more and more common with many new design engines as they strive for better fuel economy and better performance. Want to see valve getting dirty issues that cause misfires, checkout the VW/Audi forums, very common and even more so with direct injection because there's no fuel touching the valves to keep them clean. Also, my GMC Canyon has a 100K mile warranty due to valve issues they discovered, but at least GM admints there's a problem and has a remedy, MB and VW/Audi just stick their heads in the sand and make it a customer issue.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
With DI engines Benz have detergeant injection on latest models which is topped up at service in Europe. US will not get these engines until fuel is improved & sulphur content lowered so that they can run their 3 way Cats which produce carcinogenic benzines at the tailpipe with high sulphur fuels such as the US has.
Early M271 engine head problems were caused by poor fuel. The engine was designed to run on narrow cut Eurograde fuel. Benz redesigned the head on the M271 for poor fuel markets like the US & SA. Newer M271 engines do not display this problem at all. Running your vehicle on Techron will help as will high RPM now & again to blow off the carbon.
VW/Audi & Porsche have big crap in the US with their DI engines.
Here is an M271 running on US fuel plus Techron - note deposit where fuel does not get.
Here is a low mileage DFI Cayenne's intake - deposit is oil coming down the guides, captive crankcase ventilation crap & fuel.
Early M271 engine head problems were caused by poor fuel. The engine was designed to run on narrow cut Eurograde fuel. Benz redesigned the head on the M271 for poor fuel markets like the US & SA. Newer M271 engines do not display this problem at all. Running your vehicle on Techron will help as will high RPM now & again to blow off the carbon.
VW/Audi & Porsche have big crap in the US with their DI engines.
Here is an M271 running on US fuel plus Techron - note deposit where fuel does not get.
Here is a low mileage DFI Cayenne's intake - deposit is oil coming down the guides, captive crankcase ventilation crap & fuel.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Aug 18, 2010 at 08:02 PM.
