C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Loss of power on cold start up

Old Sep 28, 2025 | 09:48 AM
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Loss of power on cold start up

Help! I have a 2014 C180. On cold starts there seems to be no acceleration. I can get to 50 with my foot glued to the floor and the revs over 4000, but it really struggles. There are no warning lights. As soon as I restart, after it's warm, it clears and it drives like a dream again until the next cold start. Any thoughts on what it might be? MAF? Throttle actuator?
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Old Sep 28, 2025 | 11:19 AM
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MAYBE the accelerator pedal. Have you scanned your car?
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Old Sep 28, 2025 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by JettaRed
MAYBE the accelerator pedal. Have you scanned your car?
Yes, but not with the MB unit. No faults were found. The engine revs to over 4000rpm which makes me think the input is there from the pedal?
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Old Sep 28, 2025 | 01:59 PM
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W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
On cold starts how does the engine rev in park? Like normal?

Im thinking transmission issue but theres not alot of info to go on.

Are you using a Mercedes specific obd scanner or just a generic scanner?
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Old Sep 28, 2025 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by TimC300
On cold starts how does the engine rev in park? Like normal?

Im thinking transmission issue but theres not alot of info to go on.

Are you using a Mercedes specific obd scanner or just a generic scanner?
Generic scanner. The engine revs fine in park. Then upon accelerating the car is so sluggish. I can have my foot flat on the floor for 2 mins and it'll eventually get to 50 and the revs will be over 4000. But not oomph at all. No warning lights, nothing in the log. Then I restart, once it's warm and it's back to normal.
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Old Sep 29, 2025 | 01:48 AM
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W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
I would invest in a Mercedes specific obd scanner especially if you plan on keeping the car for along time and will be working on it yourself.

From what you wrote im picturing you put the car in drive and then with the accelerator pedal pressed to the floor the car slowly reaches 50mph over 2 minutes and the rpms are at 4,000?

Try this out of curiosity, when you put it in drive shift it into 1st, manual shifting. See if that makes any difference.

The way you explain it it sounds like the car is in 2nd or 3rd when youre taking off.
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Old Sep 29, 2025 | 03:32 AM
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Originally Posted by TimC300
I would invest in a Mercedes specific obd scanner especially if you plan on keeping the car for along time and will be working on it yourself.

From what you wrote im picturing you put the car in drive and then with the accelerator pedal pressed to the floor the car slowly reaches 50mph over 2 minutes and the rpms are at 4,000?

Try this out of curiosity, when you put it in drive shift it into 1st, manual shifting. See if that makes any difference.

The way you explain it it sounds like the car is in 2nd or 3rd when youre taking off.

It sounds like I'll have to do that.

I tried shifting in to first this morning and it was all fine, so either you've fixed it, or it didn't do what I've described. I'll keep going with that and see how it fares.

Anyone else come across something like this?
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Old Sep 29, 2025 | 12:46 PM
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C200 w204
From what you have described I would say your issue is with the Transmission, not the engine.

Definitely need a MB specific Scanner.
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Old Sep 30, 2025 | 08:12 AM
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I took it to a Merc specialist. They scanned it, there was a crack in the silicone hose that runs to the vacuum pump. All sorted. I'll put a picture on here later that shows what in case someone else has this issue.
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