beast121212

Hi all I was just seeking your advice regarding the startup on my w204 c220 cdi.

I had a service b air oil and fuel filter changed at my Indy about 5 weeks ago. 2weeks ago I started with a problem.

On a cold startup the car will start first time in one crank easily. However follows 5-8 seconds of engine spluttering, rough idle and sounding like it is going to stall. If I put a bit of gas on it it helps to stabilise this a bit. After 8 secs the idle normalises and the car drives absolutely fine. I can take it up the motorway with no problems.

The problem occurs from a cold start. If I start the car 10 minutes after driving it starts normally and idles ok. Starting it an hour after driving leads to the spluttering start.

I am cleaning the maF this weekend but not hopeful as disconnecting it and starting doesn't solve the problem.

No engine lights have come on.

Would appreciate your thoughts and comments

Many thanks

George

beast121212

Just to update you all.

Took the car to my dealership today.

After being charged £144 for a diagnostic have been told that one of injectors has gone.

They have told me that for injector replacement inc parts labour and diagnostic the charge will be £550.


Also been told that there is a chance my fuel rail could have gone but will have to see is the injector replacement works first.

Does the above assessment sound fair? How much cheaper would the job be through an independent?

Also there was a recall on the w204 bluefficiency injectors. My w204 is not the bluefficient mode? Does anyone know if there was a recall on these injectors.

many thanks

Carsy

Hello 12,

I am not a diesel mechanic but have owned diesels for 21 years . I would obtain a second opinion.

Firstly I cannot see how an injector is US when it runs perfectly when warm.

The problem sounds more like a faulty glow plug or plugs. I would have these checked. When the engine is warm the glow plugs are not needed as much for a smooth & pollution free start.

Are you getting any raw fuel out the exhaust at start up ie whitish smoke ?

Good luck & keep us informed on your diagnosis.

beast121212

Hi Carsy thanks for the reply.

The car over the past few days has been "shaky" whilst driving even up to operating temperature. It has the feeling that it is misfiring.

The chaps at mercedes said they plugged it up the star system and said the MAF was trying to over compensate because of the faulty injector.

Just hoping to get my car back working. Seems such a shame as the car has been a dream drive until now. I had the fuel filter changed a few weeks ago and I am worried that the injectors may have got some dirty contaminated fuel go through.

I don't know if the above supports the diagnosis of an injector problem?

Will keep you updated with the results.

Carsy

Yes, if it is rough when warm that would rule out glow plugs.

I would ask the mechanic who changed the fuel filter a few questions like how dirty was the filter & what method/ safeguards he used so dirt could not enter the system when changing the filter.

Good luck.

JC

Squirble

I have a US 2012 C250 and this is happening to me also. Sometimes the engine light comes on and sometimes it doesn't. It's reporting a p0340 code which is the camshaft sensor. It seems to drive fine after it cranks up. Same as OP, if I cut the engine and start it right back up there is no problem but if it sits or an hour or so then it has the rough start up again.

zichen169

Hi Squirble, do you ever found out what was the issue causing the code? My 2012 c250 have the same code, but I get the code intermittently, which my car sometimes start normal other time have delayed start.

Squirble

Unfortunately no. I tried changing the Cam Shaft Sensor but that didn't work. I did some more research and things started pointing to the high fuel pump. I ultimately resolved it by trading in the car. The fuel pump replacement cost would've been 2000+ so I said screw that. Once you start having issues like that they tend to lead to other things.

zichen169

Sorry to hear that, wish you best of luck with your new car

fl0wmastr

how many miles did you have when this happened?
what kind of car did you get after?

Squirble

I can't remember the exact mileage, maybe around 30K or so. From all my research it seemed like a common issue as there were other posts of from people with the same symptoms.

I bought the C as a spur of the moment purchase. I literally ran through a tank of gas in my Inifiniti G35 coupe one day and realized I spend too much money on gas. The C solved that problem. That was 3 years ago and I've since gotten my motorcycle license so gas isn't an issue anymore. Once the C started having issues I traded it in for a Genesis Coupe. I would've never bought the C if I had a motorcycle back then. Minus the issue it was a great car though.

fl0wmastr

nice! I had a G35, BMW 335i before, and i wanted better gas mileage and something different.
I may trade this in early if the JB+ doesnt fix that turbo lag. I'm at 37k now so maybe the previous owner fixed that issue.
why not a g37? I almost got one myself.
did you get the 4 or 6 banger Genesis Coupe? has it been reliable, faster than the c250?

Squirble

Yea when I was trading in the C i was going to get a G37 but then I drove the Genesis coupe. It's practically the same car. Even down to how you remove the radio and speakers. Much cheaper and a better warranty as well. I got the V6 Track version full package. Brembo brakes, 19 in rims, navi, push start, etc. It's only been 6 months but it's been great. Much faster than the 250. Even the 4 cyl turbo is faster than the 250.