HELP, major engine vibration from 2K-2.5K RPM in 6th gear at WOT
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
HELP, major engine vibration from 2K-2.5K RPM in 6th gear at WOT
Noticed it before, but today I decided to try and narrow it down. In 6th gear at 2000 rpm going slightly uphill so the car does not just roll, press the gas to WOT. There's major ruckus coming from the engine like vibration/flutter. It lasts until the engine gets closer to 3000 rpm.
This does NOT happen in any other gear while going to WOT at ANY RPM, not even 1000 RPM.
This is the 1.8L Engine. Needless to say, I am concerned. The car has NO engine mods, it's completely stock.
Thanks
CZ
This does NOT happen in any other gear while going to WOT at ANY RPM, not even 1000 RPM.
This is the 1.8L Engine. Needless to say, I am concerned. The car has NO engine mods, it's completely stock.
Thanks
CZ
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Texas
2004 SLK Special Edition
I could be wrong but it sounds like your just bogging your engine down. If you're going uphill in sixth and flooring the car then I would think that would cause the major vibration you're talking of. Auto's would downshift and it wouldn't be a problem. This might be totally wrong but from what you described it sounds like you're just in the wrong gear...I know thats a really simple explanation and might not be what you're talking about but if it does the same thing if you put the car in 4th going 5mph or something along those lines that I wouldn't worry about it just shift more.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
adamrs80 is correct. You are on the wrong side of the torque curve, and are lugging the engine. This is very bad for the engine. It is asking you to shift to fifth gear. On the 1.8, you should try to keep it revving over 3000 when accelerating.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
It's not bogging down, It just produces a droning sound.
When going to WOT at 1000 RPM, it bogs down in ANY gear. This is different. The engine actually vibrates and produces a droning flutter sound which is different than a bog down where basically the timing is retarded to avoid pinging and you lose power.
In the case I'm describing, I can hear the S/C going full bore trying to produce power, the timing is not really retarded but something in the engine compartment must be vibrating violently.
ONLY happens in 6th gear from 2-2.5K at WOT, it dows not happen at any other other RPM range in any gear.
CZ
In the case I'm describing, I can hear the S/C going full bore trying to produce power, the timing is not really retarded but something in the engine compartment must be vibrating violently.
ONLY happens in 6th gear from 2-2.5K at WOT, it dows not happen at any other other RPM range in any gear.
CZ
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 1
From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Re: It's not bogging down, It just produces a droning sound.
Originally posted by czachari
When going to WOT at 1000 RPM, it bogs down in ANY gear. This is different. The engine actually vibrates and produces a droning flutter sound which is different than a bog down where basically the timing is retarded to avoid pinging and you lose power.
When going to WOT at 1000 RPM, it bogs down in ANY gear. This is different. The engine actually vibrates and produces a droning flutter sound which is different than a bog down where basically the timing is retarded to avoid pinging and you lose power.
In the case I'm describing, I can hear the S/C going full bore trying to produce power, the timing is not really retarded but something in the engine compartment must be vibrating violently.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
WOT at 2000 RPM in 6th gear is the problem. The tourque curve on the 1.8 does not start until 3000 RPM. Once the engine is above 3000RPM are you ok? Personally if I am on the highway and want to pass someone and floor it and am under 3000 RPM I downshift to 5th. The vehicle travels well in 6th until you get under 60MPH or so. I never get a vibration though just a little slower on the get go. If I really want to buzz by someone I drop to 4th, and the car just flies up to 90-100.....
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
Re: It's not bogging down, It just produces a droning sound.
Originally posted by czachari
In the case I'm describing, I can hear the S/C going full bore trying to produce power, the timing is not really retarded but something in the engine compartment must be vibrating violently.
In the case I'm describing, I can hear the S/C going full bore trying to produce power, the timing is not really retarded but something in the engine compartment must be vibrating violently.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
OK, I understand the confusion
First, let's say that I know what bog down is since I've been driving small displacement 4 bangers for more than 12 years. Next, yes, the 1.8L does bog down at WOT below 3000 RPM. The reason I posted the first message is that what I am experiencing is not bog down. It's bog down squared. I can hear the S/C sucking wind, I experience the typical bog down lack of power but at the same time I feel/hear severe vibration ( like when a 4-cylinder engine is twisting on its axis during acceleration ) but the vibration seems to resonate so that it's on/off, on/off, on/off in that pattern. The visual image that enters my mind when it happens is that something is twisting back and forth in the engine compartment.
The main question is if it is bog down, why is it so different in this gear and RPM range? Why is bog down different at ALL other RPM ranges and gears.
To make the question more obvious I have to mention that going WOT at 1000RPM in 6th gear does not produce the droning. Once the RPM hits 2000 then the resonance starts.
Thanks for your help so far. Can we get some more people with 1.8L 6 speed to try this?
CZ
The main question is if it is bog down, why is it so different in this gear and RPM range? Why is bog down different at ALL other RPM ranges and gears.
To make the question more obvious I have to mention that going WOT at 1000RPM in 6th gear does not produce the droning. Once the RPM hits 2000 then the resonance starts.
Thanks for your help so far. Can we get some more people with 1.8L 6 speed to try this?
CZ
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 339
From: Charlotte, NC
Had: 1987 300TD, Had: 2004 C230 Sport Sedan, Have: 2014 E350 Sport, Have: 2019 S450
As you car is still under warranty, and the problem is easily reproducible (every time at 2k-2.5k rpm), I would take it to the dealer for diagnosis.
Continuing to drive with this problem could lead to undue stress on the engine/mounts/transmission. This stress may not cause failure now, but may reduce the component life - leading to failure when the car is out of warranty.
My suggestion: Let the dealer figure it out and fix it, before any further damage is done.
Continuing to drive with this problem could lead to undue stress on the engine/mounts/transmission. This stress may not cause failure now, but may reduce the component life - leading to failure when the car is out of warranty.
My suggestion: Let the dealer figure it out and fix it, before any further damage is done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Re: OK, I understand the confusion
Originally posted by czachari
First, let's say that I know what bog down is since I've been driving small displacement 4 bangers for more than 12 years. Next, yes, the 1.8L does bog down at WOT below 3000 RPM. The reason I posted the first message is that what I am experiencing is not bog down. It's bog down squared. I can hear the S/C sucking wind, I experience the typical bog down lack of power but at the same time I feel/hear severe vibration ( like when a 4-cylinder engine is twisting on its axis during acceleration ) but the vibration seems to resonate so that it's on/off, on/off, on/off in that pattern. The visual image that enters my mind when it happens is that something is twisting back and forth in the engine compartment.
The main question is if it is bog down, why is it so different in this gear and RPM range? Why is bog down different at ALL other RPM ranges and gears.
To make the question more obvious I have to mention that going WOT at 1000RPM in 6th gear does not produce the droning. Once the RPM hits 2000 then the resonance starts.
Thanks for your help so far. Can we get some more people with 1.8L 6 speed to try this?
CZ
First, let's say that I know what bog down is since I've been driving small displacement 4 bangers for more than 12 years. Next, yes, the 1.8L does bog down at WOT below 3000 RPM. The reason I posted the first message is that what I am experiencing is not bog down. It's bog down squared. I can hear the S/C sucking wind, I experience the typical bog down lack of power but at the same time I feel/hear severe vibration ( like when a 4-cylinder engine is twisting on its axis during acceleration ) but the vibration seems to resonate so that it's on/off, on/off, on/off in that pattern. The visual image that enters my mind when it happens is that something is twisting back and forth in the engine compartment.
The main question is if it is bog down, why is it so different in this gear and RPM range? Why is bog down different at ALL other RPM ranges and gears.
To make the question more obvious I have to mention that going WOT at 1000RPM in 6th gear does not produce the droning. Once the RPM hits 2000 then the resonance starts.
Thanks for your help so far. Can we get some more people with 1.8L 6 speed to try this?
CZ
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
It will vibrate the most at the resonance frequency of the moving components. Since that is the lowest gear ratio and the tranny internals are spinning almost as fast as they can, this will cause a resonance. Thus causing a vibration throughout the driveline. It is most likely normal for that RPM range in that gear. Normally you should not be at that low an RPM in 6th gear, and that is why the rest of us do not notice it. Downshifting is your friend. And that is the reason there are 6 forward gears. Also the reason that at cruising speed the RPM's are above 2500 RPM, at least in mine it is.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
Guys, I guess it's all my fault :)
When cruising I like to be in 6th @ 2K RPM to conserve gas. When I am driving for fun I always keep it above 2.5K RPMS. It's just that this vibration is VERY uncivilized for a Benz. I'd like to see if any of you can duplicate it. If yes then I will leave this subject alone.
Thanks
CZ
p.s. This is my first 6 speed. All my other cars have been 5 speeds. I've only owned one automatic in my life.
Thanks
CZ
p.s. This is my first 6 speed. All my other cars have been 5 speeds. I've only owned one automatic in my life.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
I will test mine at lunch. You are saying between 2000 and 2500 RPM in 6th gear? See I am in 6th when I am above 60-65 MPH, other than that I do not use it. Plus you are not saving gas if you need to five it a ton more to accelerate past the bog down point since you are giving it WOT, you are actually using more gas.
