High Idle?
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: NE Kansas
1991 MB 300CE, 2007 MB CLK550, 2007 MB R500.
High Idle?
I recently bought a 1991 300CE-24 and have loved it since its purchase, but I have a question:
The car idles at or around 1500 rpm under normal conditions (well, 40F ambient temp.). Is this a bit high? My dad's CLK550 and my mom's R500 both idle at or around 600. I have been told that this may be the result of a vacuum seal issue. I was wondering what you all think. Is the engine supposed to idle so high? If not, how urgent is the problem? What can I do about it? How much will it cost?
Thank you all for your help.
Marcel
The car idles at or around 1500 rpm under normal conditions (well, 40F ambient temp.). Is this a bit high? My dad's CLK550 and my mom's R500 both idle at or around 600. I have been told that this may be the result of a vacuum seal issue. I was wondering what you all think. Is the engine supposed to idle so high? If not, how urgent is the problem? What can I do about it? How much will it cost?
Thank you all for your help.
Marcel
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,450
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
Welcome
That is a truely beautiful car. welcome to the W124 forum.
Yes, 1500 is very high. Mine, a V8, idles at 500-600 rpm. I would expect no more than 800.
Often, if a car has difficulty idling or stalling, or just runs rough, a seller will crank up the idle. This masks a lot of problems.
It could be a vacuum problem, but many other things too.
I would take it to a good independent shop that specialises in MB's and ask for a tuneup or inspection. See what they say.
Maybe there are a number of routine maintenance things, filters, oil, etc. that you can do yourself before you ask them to diagnose anything. If you are lucky, it may run ine wen the idle is brought down.
Good luck
Yes, 1500 is very high. Mine, a V8, idles at 500-600 rpm. I would expect no more than 800.
Often, if a car has difficulty idling or stalling, or just runs rough, a seller will crank up the idle. This masks a lot of problems.
It could be a vacuum problem, but many other things too.
I would take it to a good independent shop that specialises in MB's and ask for a tuneup or inspection. See what they say.
Maybe there are a number of routine maintenance things, filters, oil, etc. that you can do yourself before you ask them to diagnose anything. If you are lucky, it may run ine wen the idle is brought down.
Good luck
