MBZ12

...this morning on my way to work. I was at a stoplight and car started sputtered out of nowhere. I thought it was going to shut down. It was rought as I gassed it to go and then it was fine. Next light, no problem. Didn't have problem until I almost got to work and it did it again but not as bad. Anyone with an idea as to what it could be. It's intermittent and only happens once in a while. Rough once I get going but then no problem for a while until it happens again. Does not sputter at all at speed. My car is a 2002 E320. I'm thinking fuel filter or air filter....could it be this?

OceanView

Had similar experience in my car and had the hardest time figuring out what it was but the dealer found the problems.

It could be bad coils and/or bad spark plug connectors.
I had to replace both of these items.
Check for cracks if you can.

Of course it could be the fuel filter too.

Also, did you get any CEL ? I don't think I got any by the way.

Hope that helps.

MBZ12

Thanks for the heads up OV. I didn't get a CEL message. Was the problem you had intermittent also? I figure if it were a bad coil or plug, I'd lose a cylinder thus affecting power. No downturn in power is evident. It runs fine once I get going. I changed out the air cleaner this evening since it was the cheapest and easiest thing I could do to start troubleshooting. And I can say it as it was a bit dirtier than I thought it would be. We'll see...

OceanView

Yes, my problem was intermittent. But will get worse over time.
One thing that I noticed was that the problem occurred after I pressed hard on the throttle. I think there must have been too much current going to the coil and/or plugs that may have caused this. Sometimes if I just turned the car off and restarted it, it would go away.
Once the problem starts, it will be mostly noticeable in low RPMs, once you get the car up 2000rpm and higher it usually is not that noticeable.

If this sounds like your problem, most likely its the coils and/or plug connectors.

Good luck

MBZ12

This problem seems only to be when I'm at a full stop. It shudders but doesn't turn off. I checked the rpm needle and it did not go anywhere?!?! If it were electrical or power was being robbed from the motor, it too would have fluxuated. Hmmm....

OceanView

mine did not turn off either.
Well, I would recommend taking the car to an indy that has a computer.
I don't mean just a regular code reader, but a MB diagnostic computer.
If you know Stuttgart Automotive in Walnut, try them, they have the computer setup and can find the problem out for you. They are cheaper than a dealer.

JimE430

Dont rule out the fuel filter. It needs to be changed even more often because of that CRAP MTBE !! Get your fuel at Union 76, no MTBE.

Dvinn

Do you have the address or street for Stuttgart Auto? Would like to check them out for services next time.

OceanView

Ask for Carlos @ Stuttgart - 909-595-1936

MBZ12

Very Good. Thanks for the heads up on that. I gotta take her in to have that checked out.

Dvinn

Thanks.