Gundo

I feel like an idiot. Just got my 01 430 and my check engine light came on. I pulled over and it was shaking a bit. I really dont know whats up. My guess is the coolant ran dry or close to dry. The resevoir is caked up so I couldnt tell where its at. I went and checked it and it was pretty full but the engine was still a bit warm(prolly shouldnt have popped the cap) I have never owned a Mercedes and I dont know much about them. I need some help. What else could it be? Thermastat failure? Anyways if it is the coolant what kind do I need to get? Drex-cool? This sucks, my cars at a gas station on the wrong side of town.

Thanks.

Gundo

Oil level is good, what else should I check for?

Gundo

Well, I just read an article that said the engine coolant should be orange not green. I checked mine and its green. I gues the owner before me didnt know what to use. Is this a major problem? I wouldnt think that this would cause an instant problem like what happened today.

Amir_AMG

wht temp is ur engine running at? I think it can be ur MAF sensor? any problem with performance? could also be o2 sensors or spark plugs. How many miles are on the car? Do you get this idle behind a red light?

Gundo

The temp was little shy of 3/4. Engine light came on then I pulled into a close gas station gas station. Gas was low, got some, then started back up and witnessed a rough idle.Temp scared me so I shut it off. I didnt really notice a rough idle behind red lights but I havent road in another clk and I've thought it has always idled a bit rough since I've got it? The car has 81k miles. It came from Marin Inports in Cali. I had it checked out by a MB mechanic and it got a good report. I also thought of the MAF but I really dont know too much about them other than I've read here on MBworld.

DropTop208

I dont think your gonna get a rough idle because of low coolant. Even if your coolant was low, your check engine light would not come on. sounds like you have a bad or dirty MAF. Thats the first thing I would check.

Gundo

Cool, I'm gonna get it checked out Monday.

chem1441

I dont think low coolant would cause any abnormal vibration from the engine... the cooling system just cool the engine, and if the engine was running too hot and if the coolant was too low you would get two warning messages on your service screen (one for hot engine temp and one for low coolant). If you dont have these messages then everything should be ok with the coolant system... just get it flushed every two-three years.

It def sounds like a MAF issue....and there are a LOT of posts on the site about MAF issues and the symptoms that result....do a search...its a DIY fix, unless you have a warranty, then I always let the dealer do it for me.

Gundo

Ok, but would a dirty or bad MAF cause my check engine light to come on. Its weird, the CE light is on sometimes then off at other times

DropTop208

a bad MAF will cause your check engine light to come on. I had the same problem with my 210. The light would come on for about 2 days then stay off for about 3 days.

Whodat

Absolutely!
This exhibits all the symptoms of a bad MAF. You can get a new one or somebody has discovered that cleaning the MAF's sensor works but I've heard it's not permenant. I've also heard of a company (on eBay) that sells just the sensor (insert) and not the whole MAF. This runs about $100. My whole MAF cost me $207. Hope this helps and good luck!

Whodat

Here ya go. Write up on how to change and/or clean the MAF by MB World member 'PANCHO'.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class-w208/189777-instructional-430clk-how-change-air-filter-clean-maf.html

clarkspark

I don't know about the coolant but this is what happened to me before the water pump died and started making skreeching sounds that would scare away bloody harpes.