Hi All,

I've got a problem that my local Mercedes service centre can't seem to solve.

Car:
Feb '06 E320 CDI Sport

Problem:
When accelerating fairly aggressively (i.e. from standstill, or merging into traffic) the car accelerates to about 35-40mph / 3,000rpm and then suddenly starts to shudder/jerk as if I'm stamping on the brakes. If I continue to try to accelerate it will do this jerk-jerk-jerk thing several times and then slow down. At this point I cannot accelerate beyond 30 mph, and I have no kick down at all. To fix it, I have to turn the car off, and then back on again.

I've had this happen several times on fast roads, and it's quite scary when it does. However, it doesn't happen ALL the time; it seems totally random. I can go for days without it happening, and then have it happen several times in one day.

The Mercedes service centre have had a look (allegedly) and cannot find a fault - all they could offer was a recalibration of the gear box (?) which probably wouldn't fix it (their words).

Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? I've spent the past few months drilling Google for possible solutions but have come up with nothing.

Thanks in advance.

-Jar

 

I have exactly the same problem - only happened twice - in the space of 5 days...first time, joining the motorway from a service station, under full acceleration it started to jerk violently then easing off it was ok for a little while until I realised that I couldnt get above 60mph no matter how hard i tried...the conditions were wet at the time i joined the motorway so presumed it was wheel spinning causing some clever ECU safety stuff to stop me slipping and sliding which caused the jerking...then when i had the 60mph later (30 mins later or so) I presumed that the car had cleverly turned something off..i.e. the turbo or something to save it from any damage...switching the car off and then on at the next service station seemed to cure it...then 4 days later coming out of another service station, this time with the wife and 2 kids in the car, under full acceleration it started to violently jerk again, i recognised the condition and took my foot of the accelerator and smoothly joined the motorway and the car was fine - wondering whether it just doesnt like being booted hard or more probably something is about to go and this is the first symptom? Any views?

 

I have EXACTLY the same problem as Jaruzel. Although the issue is with my CLK 320 CDi

Has anyone managed to resolve this issue and, if so, how?

Thanks

Rand

 

Try checking your transmission fluid level

 

Thanks Lefix. Have you come across this issue before?

Having read other posts on the net it seems people have resolved the issue by changing the fuel filters and pumps.

 

+1

It is more common to happen at parking-lot speeds, but a low transmission fluid level is a known reason for shuddering. If you have never touched the transmission in the time you've owned the car, this would be a fair bet and worth doing anyway.

There are a myriad of other possibilities, too, so try getting the codes read and see if there's anything there to indicate an engine issue.

 

What happened to me was that the car would shudder/jerk when I'm slowing to a stop, the reason for this shudder/jerk is because the transmission is trying to change from 2/3/4/5 gear down to first, but with low tranny oil level, some of the mechanisms aren't covered in oil anymore and becomes rough when shifting down.

Drained the transmission oil, took the pan off, replaced the filter, new gasket, and new oil. No more shuddering/jerking ever since, and hope it'll stay that way

 

I totally agree that transmission oil should be changed. I'll most likely get that done at my next service. Although I don't think the problem I have is related to gear change. The jerking I get when accelerating hard from start to around 40mph. Its exactly like the issues described in the original post. I am convinced it's a fuel issue.

Im having some work done on the car this week. I'll keep you all updated.

 

I skipped the fact that you have a diesel when I suggested the transmission fluid.

Bad fuel filter (or bad fuel) is a pretty strong likelihood. Do the CDI"s have a readily-accessible filter? (I suspect they don't)

 

Ok - Update on this, and thanks for all your replies.

Put the car into the Mercedes Service Centre (again) and explained to them in detail (complete with physical demonstrations) what the issue is.

They had it for three days, on and off the computer, and then drove it around and tried to replicate it and couldn't.

So I'm still stuck with the problem. The only upside is that they didn't charge me a penny for those three days...

Regarding previous posts saying transmission fluid - does this still apply with diesel engines? (excuse my total ignorance here!) and surely they would have checked that ?

Thanks,

-Jar

 

Since my last post my car went into "limp mode" which means there was a loss of power. Car was moving but the turbo wasn't kicking in and when I would slow down the gear would jerk. I took it to a automatic gearbox specialist who said it was the gearbox valve body. However, after reading the fault codes it seems that there is an issue with the inlet manifold flaps / motor. It is being repaired at the moment. I should have it back tomorrow. I'm hoping this might resolve the jerking issue I was experiencing to begin with.

Having read other posts on the net, it seems that the fuel filter / pump could also be to blame for the jerking at 30-40mph.

 

hi guys iv the same problem on my e280 cdi sport ,iv posted here befoore about tit but nothing realy came out of it ,,
can u please tell me how u got on so i can fix my car thanks

 

Hi guys

I have now had the in-let shut off motor replaced (controls the flaps) due to the car going into limp mode and error codes appearing. The car is running perfectly.

It has been around 3 weeks and I haven't experienced any jerking issues either, despite having put the car through its paces. The issue seems to have been resolved :-)

 

Hi all I'm new and believe I know what the problem is.

It's a common and through Mercedes an EXPENSIVE fault.

It's the turbo .. On the turbo is an ECU and that's the problem .. It needs replacing however Mercedes don't allow you to buy the unit separately so you need a new turbo with it all built in that's over £2k in parts alone and then it's a recon unit and your unit is a trade in ..

I can give you a copy of my bill.

However there is a fix

You can get the ecu repaired here

http://www.ecutesting.com/mercedes_e..._e320_tur.html

and then get a local mechanic to fit it .

I've been quoted £395 inc vat to get replacement and fitting ..

I've had 2 diagnostic tests one by specialist one by Mercedes . They updated software or something but both told me this was the fault and new turbo .

Specialist said they could fit this part at the above price.

 

Change your transmission fluid out, pour out the old and in with the new. Works like a charm!

 

I would just like to thank Danceking for his advice on the turbo actuator. I've had this problem for the last 33000 miles despite being with the main MB dealer several times - they couldn't get to the bottom of it. Sent ECU actuator for testing last week, a fault was detected and repaired at a cost of £244. I re-installed the part 3 days ago and the problem has been completely resolved. So after trawling various forums for the last year and a half, Danceking has been the only one who has identified the problem and spoken any sense.

 

I had simular problem with my 2006 E320 CDI.
During acceleration tubo would kick off, engine check light would come on.
Poor performance.
Turning car off and back on would "clear" the problem.
Changed fuel filter, problem gone.

 

Hi guys, this is first post by me

I would also agree with DanceKing.

I have 2007 cls 320cdi and this very same problem has just started. I have had it with Mercedes for full check and they say it's turbo for sure and as such I'm booked in for new one 3000 euro

I think the wishfull thinking fuel filter posts are just that.

God dam turbo.

 

Maybe in some cases Fuel Filter is wishfull thinking.
But in my case that was the problem.
It's been 18 months since change and no problems with acceleration or Turbo.

 

Will this work also for ML320CDI? The same problem, i drive, then stop for about 10 minutes for a coffee, then drive again, and it jerks. However after the jerking and couple of minutes of drive and probably heating engine up till normal, jerking disappears and i can accelerate hard again, like nothing happened.

 

Hi All

My first Post from London UK.

My CLK320 CDi has done 95% motorway miles ('56 plate or 2006) and my odometer shows 256,000 miles (travelled in the UK and Europe)

1. Problems with Link Arms because of terrible London roads and potholes.

2. AIR MASS SENSOR

3. JERKING or JUDDER on "flooring the car" on a slip road onto a motorway. The car feels constipated !

The Independent Merc guys had suggested:

a) ECU or actuator "re-programme"
b) Change transmission fluid
c) Replace the AIR MASS sensor
d) Replace the turbo unit

I chose the cheapest option...

Independent Merc Garage sent the turbo brain viz; the ECU or actuator to be reprogrammed and the fix was a success. The car drove like new with huge power and fast accelleration .....amazing ....but for about 6 weeks until the same problem returned.

NEXT.....

I had also complained just after this work done of a whining noise in the engine and it revealed itself when I broke down (an embarrassment) outside Reims in France on the E17 Motorway.....freaking expensive breakdown. It turned out to be a fuel pump issue because the fuel filter was clogged and dirty.

Returning to the "constipation" issue because the car seems to jerk or shudder....I decided to carry out an oil change and fuel filter change and the car has been driving much better.

Next I will look at changing the transmission fluid and check if there are any metal pieces inside the old fluid. A specialist transmission company mechanic took my car for a spin and thought the car gearbox was sound.

Checked for fault codes with a computer and found "numerous" but the old chestnut issue of AIR MASS sensor raised its head again.

Informed that Bosch make the AIR MASS sensors for MB and probably a cheaper option and will therefore fit myself.

Finally, whilst my service intervals are every 17,000 miles or 25,000km this is only "truly possible" using the best synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 however I suggest MB drivers change the oil every 10,000 miles plus the fuel filter to optimise performance.

Also consider an oil change using MB specification (but cheaper) oil followed in 4 weeks by another oil change with Mobil1 to having flushed out all the old oil. Regular oil filter replacement and oil change is a big deal for diesel Mercs.

The MB V6 Euro 4 Diesel Engine is a beauty and I hope to exceed 300,000 miles in the next 18 months with the only limiting factor being the third party components which may fail !

I have started to learn much about my Merc but it's a joy to read everyone else's experiences here which inspired me to share mine.

 

Hi, using this thread as it appears close to my problem

Car is 2007 E280 CDi Sport (7 speed auto) and it has no turbo

Only very occassionaly if I accelerate fairly hard it will suddenly start juddering and if I don't lift the accelerater quick enough the engine goes into a "limp mode" and will not go beyond 1500 revs although it will slowly accelerate through the gears. If i select a lower gear then the engine will rev up to match the speed/gear but will then drop down to 1500 revs with the car slowing.
The garage has not found any error code and have no suggestions other than to start replacing parts until it is fixed.

More recently the juddering has started to happen when the car is crawling in traffic and the engine is at around 1200-1400 revs

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

Hi

E280 CDi and it has no turbo? Has the turbo blown? I thought all the CDi's had turbos!

You may have a MAF or Mass Air Filter problem where the filter is dirty so the sensor misjudges the airflow and hance the "hesitation" issue. Bosch make the best MAF's but they have discontinued MAF's for my 2006 CLK 320 Cdi so you will need an OEM or an "aftermarket" manufacturer. Some MAF's are low quality and price sometimes reflects quality. You can clean the MAF but need to be careful and use carburetor cleaner and a clean cloth. Watch the Youtube videos. Unfortunately diesel Mercs suffer from this problem.

Good luck

 

daytona77... you are right - I took the cover off the engine and could see the turbo. At no time in any literature (engine specs, Mercedes info etc.) had I seen a reference to turbo, it was one of the reasons I went for a 3l engine thinking it had no turbo.
So based on that I guess a lot of the comments earlier in this thread and others are applicable so I am off to the garage to get their opion on things like MAF's etc. - Thanks

 

Someone else has just mentioned to me they saw this thread, and i suddenly realised I never posted a final follow up...

Mid 2014, I left my E320 CDi (2006) with the Merc service centre again and let them fiddle with it for a couple of days. Finally they got it to do the jerking and shuddering thing - they immediately put on the computer and discovered it's the Turbo chip that's blown (they explained technically exactly what's busted but I don't recall right now).

Downside is that it's about 1,500 GBP to replace. On a car that's worth about 5,5k that's a little steep - so I've not done it yet, and I may never fix it.

But at least I now know what it is. So If you are suffering the same symptoms get the engineers to check the Turbo chip!

-Jar