CLK430 - born to ride rough?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 390
Likes: 3
2000 Silver CLK430
CLK430 - born to ride rough?
I know this topic has been on the boards a bunch of times but I'm trying to settle this for once and for all:
Does the CLK430 run rough when stopped (in drive or neutral) and there's nothing you can do about it? Are these cars just shakers?
I'm not looking for advice on how to fix it, just an answer to whether YOUR 430 idles smooth or not.
Whaddya say?
Does the CLK430 run rough when stopped (in drive or neutral) and there's nothing you can do about it? Are these cars just shakers?
I'm not looking for advice on how to fix it, just an answer to whether YOUR 430 idles smooth or not.
Whaddya say?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 390
Likes: 3
2000 Silver CLK430
Thanks guys...good news is that it sounds like it is possible. Bad news is I haven't figured out how to get there yet and the dealer says everything's FINE 
. str8ridn - I've read your posts on the subject (very informational) as well as everyone elses so unless you've got a trick up your sleeve, I've heard about it. Here's the list of possible culprits that I've heard about (in no particular order):
1) plugs
2) plug wires
3) MAF (replaced)
4) air filters (replaced with OEM)
5) fuel filter
6) harmonic balancer (replaced)
7) fuel injectors (had 'em cleaned)
8) low grade/bad fuel (using the good stuff - 92 octane Shell)
9) motor mounts (had mine checked)
10) ECU (someone said their rough idle went away on a reprogram)
11) oxygen sensor (unlikely)
Did I miss any possible causes?
Thanks all!
. str8ridn - I've read your posts on the subject (very informational) as well as everyone elses so unless you've got a trick up your sleeve, I've heard about it. Here's the list of possible culprits that I've heard about (in no particular order):1) plugs
2) plug wires
3) MAF (replaced)
4) air filters (replaced with OEM)
5) fuel filter
6) harmonic balancer (replaced)
7) fuel injectors (had 'em cleaned)
8) low grade/bad fuel (using the good stuff - 92 octane Shell)
9) motor mounts (had mine checked)
10) ECU (someone said their rough idle went away on a reprogram)
11) oxygen sensor (unlikely)
Did I miss any possible causes?
Thanks all!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
E550 Coupe
try transmission mounts. also, double check your motor mounts...mine were replaced, the problem came back after a few months, then it was found out that the new motor mounts were "the wrong ones."
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 390
Likes: 3
2000 Silver CLK430
Thanks again guys - Hoosier I pm'd you to find out where you go in Seattle since I'm here, too.
CHB - you've had problems with Shell high octane? What brand do you buy? Anyone else have this problem with Shell?
CHB - you've had problems with Shell high octane? What brand do you buy? Anyone else have this problem with Shell?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 9
From: Seattle
05 E55
bs00clk, good list. May I ask what your mileage is roughly? Also, what RPM is your tach at when idling. Does your car hesitate, recover, hesitate as the RPM needle moves or is it just a rough idle.
Sorry about the dealer being ****s...
Sorry about the dealer being ****s...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 390
Likes: 3
2000 Silver CLK430
hey str8ridn - mileage is 44K, tach is at about 500 RPM (slightly under) when idling - I can BARELY see it moving. No hesitation once I accelerate, it's just a rough idle at standstill. The roughness is not consistent...feels like it "jumps" every few seconds.
Part of why I made this post was because I'm trying to make sure I'm not being a dumbass and worrying about something that I shouldn't. Based on what I'm hearing from you guys, it could be better.
I had an IS300 prior to the CLK and the thing idled like glass. I feel like I'm back in my dad's '63 Mustang with the CLK. Maybe I just need to learn to love the "feedback" this car gives, but I'm not giving up yet.
Part of why I made this post was because I'm trying to make sure I'm not being a dumbass and worrying about something that I shouldn't. Based on what I'm hearing from you guys, it could be better.
I had an IS300 prior to the CLK and the thing idled like glass. I feel like I'm back in my dad's '63 Mustang with the CLK. Maybe I just need to learn to love the "feedback" this car gives, but I'm not giving up yet.
Last edited by bs00clk; Jun 18, 2005 at 12:00 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 946
Likes: 1
From: BC
'79 300D, '85 300Dt, '99 CLK430
bs00clk, I buy Shevron 92 or 94 octane. When I used Shell last summer, it caused my check engine light to come on.
Mines slightly above 500 RPM when idling in "D", in "P" its around 800-900 RPM.
Originally Posted by bs00clk
tach is at about 1K RPM (slightly under) when idling
Last edited by CHB; Jun 17, 2005 at 08:18 PM.
