fernan_b

I understand that the 260E is a slow 300E, but my car seems to be losing power. When I start it up, it does this strange "rev", where without pressing on the accelerator, the RPM climbs up, then drops back down to below 10. When I'm driving it, and I'm at a complete stop, it takes forever to accelerate--like it's climbing a hill, before it finally speeds up. There are about 300K miles on the car...

Anyone have a similar prob?

shadowgriffen

Well I had a moderate trans fluid leak, so (like an idiot, I shouldn't cut corners) so I added trans fluid stop leak.

In many ways it helped my car, and in many ways I feel I ruined it. Although it no longer leaks trans oil, the tranny now shifts stronger, although not better, and it has somewhat ruined that beautiful-smooth like butter shifting it had before.

whatever you do just take it to a shop and see what they say, leave the trans to the pros.

here is a quick tip -

* check your trans oil level (could very well be you have low fluid, and therefore your tranny has the hickups.

good luck.

crr1612

are you sure its the transmission? when did you last change the o2 sensor?

shadowgriffen

good point.

fernan_b

Oh **** . I've never changed it...I don't know if the old owners did, either...

Thanks, guys =)

CharlestonN

The wire harness, ignition coils or fuel filter could cause this, and if your transmission does need to be serviced it will usually be over running gears, not shifting when it should

Do you hear any kind of random popping under the car when you have the accelerator all the way down and it is not giving you the power it should?

fernan_b

Not when I have the accelerator all the way down, but when I shift. It doesn't give me the power it should, and today, it did the weirdest thing. I was on the freeway going about 70--and I swear to god, the accelerator felt like it locked--and it went faster...I thought it wouldn't stop, but I got it to slow down, I pulled over on the shoulder, and I shifted to park, and while it was stopped, the darned car was revving up. I turned it off...

I also checked the tranny fluid level afterwards, and it was low (got some more).

Bigpete123

I would just like to clarify. Your symptoms have nothing to do with your transmission. Your transmission would not cause your RPMs to surge like that.

Well, I guess there IS a remote chance that it could because when you move the car from park to drive, the RPMs will drop from the load of the transmission. So if the transmission wasn't engaging, your RPMs would remain uneffected. This really doesn't sound like what you are describing, because transmissions cannot make your engine surge. It would either make them drop, or leave them unchanged if it wasn't engaging.

Common causes for your symptoms are: 02 sensor, ovp relay, wires, plugs, distributor cap, rotor, fuel distributor, EHA adjustment, injectors, sticky idle control valve, bad fuel pump relay (or MAS control unit if you're unlucky enough to have a model with one). Put some Techron injector cleaner in your next new tank of gas, and take it out for a hard drive. High RPMs and high heat. Give it an old italian tune up. See if that helps it.

I have been chasing a very similar problem in my car pretty much for the entire 3 years I've owned it, to no avail. Maybe you'll be luckier than I.

shadowgriffen

Sounds like your accelerator cable is stuck. Same thing happened to me last year.

This from a member on benzworld -

"On Sunday I changed out the glow plugs in my '84 300SD and on Monday, the throttle linkage started sticking. Right now it doesn't release very well and I don't like it. I'm pretty sure that I must have done something when changing the glow plugs, but I can't see anything obvious.

The last time I had a linkage problem it was very hard to push the accelerator. I cleaned and grease a few of the linkage connections on top of and around the engine and it worked beautifully. Now, it just doesn't seem to want to release. I thought it was the slotted "cam-follower" arrangement on top of the calve cover, but greasing that did nothing.
Doesn't look like I bend anything.
Anyone have any ideas?"

I sprayed some WD-40 on the linkeage, but listen to my buddy Matt Witter (MG_300), he has the correct info on proper lubrication.

mgw_300e

Well, that's what all the ladies say...

The service manual calls for ATF to lube the throttle linkage.

shadowgriffen

fernan_b

I'm not as good as you guys are when it comes to these cars, so before work, I took her to MBZ...

The assh*le who at first ignored me then finally talked to me...took one look at the car, and said it's not worth it to fix...I should trade it in for a newer model, and I'd probably get $200.00 trade in value. WTF?!

I'm not a violent person--but I felt like punching the motherf*cker.

shadowgriffen

what an *******, wow...I cant believe he said that.

how old are you, if you dont mind?

fernan_b

25.

The guy had previously asked me (between laughs) if I had paid $500.00 for the car. GRRR

shadowgriffen

OK which mechanic is this? So that we may never have to deal with this *****.

fernan_b

His name is Dmitry and he works for Mercedes Benz of San Diego. Never go to that dealer...if you happen to be in California.

bjay51d

WTF,What are you missing a door or something?

fernan_b

LoL No. MBZ of SD is known for being snooty. They make MBZ of Beverly Hills look like the friendliest dealer in town.

I just went to them cos they're fast--goodness knows I won't go there again.

shadowgriffen

if I were you I'd place a complaint.

So you mean to tell me that 20 years from now a current w221 S-class owner will be treated the same? I think not...

fernan_b

The guy was an *** who wants to make a sale. While I really should just buy a new one...I'm attached to mine. I feel like the new ones don't have character...or personality. They're not as fun--they've (all automobiles) become Toyota-ized.

shdoug

Yes, he was rude. You are better than I, I wouldn't have left the stealership without making it right. You are correct, IMO the newer ones do seem more sterile, but I've never driven one.

fernan_b

The dealership (one of two in San Diego) is full of guys like him. I don't know how else to make it right than to just leave. I won't go back to the stealership again...

I did, however, find this wonderful mechanic who trained at Mercedes Benz, and I went to his shop, and was completely satisfied. Trouble is, he's one of two mechanics, their shop is completely full, so they have a 24+ hr turnaround time...

brianw430

I had exactly the same symptoms you describe on my '87 260E...OVP relay solved everything. Cheap part the simply plugs in like a wall socket and takes all of two minutes to replace. Sorry you had to deal with such an idiot, don't give him another thought!

Goodl uck!

CharlestonN

Yeah i would never trust a dealership with any car i own, they are way overpriced, usually don't know what they are doing and i have heard stories where they atually cause problems on perpose while servicing your car so you will spend more money

I have found that the best guys to take it too are knowledgeable former dealership technicians that have their own private shop, the prices are much lower, they usually know the cars inside out and most of the time can diagnose a problem without even opening the hood