Subject: W213 E200 Engine Shake at High RPM with Persistent Vibration and Power Loss - Advice Needed

Hi all,

I’m experiencing a troubling issue with my 2017 W213 E200 where the engine shakes badly at around 4000 rpm. The vibration doesn’t go away when the RPM comes down and even persists at idle. Alongside this, there is a very noticeable loss of power. Interestingly, the vibration disappears completely once I restart the engine and everything runs normally until the next high RPM run.

My mechanic has done an OBD error read and found a misfire on cylinder 1. The mechanic told me the spark plug on that cylinder wasn't tightened properly, so he corrected it. The ignition coils are relatively new, only a few months old. Since then, the situation has somewhat improved — the vibration now occurs only at slightly higher RPMs but it’s still there.

Any idea please? Camshaft timing related? Thanks.

Have you replaced all of the plugs?

Yes all plugs and ignition coils replaced.

Time to diagnose the fuel system injectors especially under load.

what he said ^

i had the same issue + a fault code that said my engine was running too lean. Turned out my 3rd cylinder injector was leaking and faulty. You can buy OE Bosch injectors instead of OEM from Mercedes. I’ve replaced all of the injectors at the same time for a peace of mind. You’ll have to code them in with a diagnostic tool if you do end up having to replace any of them. I did the job my self, not too hard to do.

Did you have exactly the same problem that the engine vibrate at high load and presists even RPM is back down?
May you please share how to do the coding? By Autel? Thank you.

yes. Same thing but mine also had a check engine light on, and my Autel told me it was running lean.

I used my autel diagnostic tool. Super easy. Just take pictures of the serial numbers and then input them into the autel.

Great, many thanks. I was so worried it would be the timing, crankshaft tone disc shifted or cracked piston 1.

honestly it could be anything. The E200/E300 is plagued with problems. Don’t mean to scare you or anything but I would highly suggest taking it to a trusted Mercedes tech that knows what they’re doing. When I did my testing I literally changed half the engine before I found it to be the injectors. I changed the mass air flow sensor (come to think of it I changed all of them at once due to paranoia), changed the catalytic converter sensors, exhaust sensors, spark plugs, cleaned the carbon on the inside of the intake valves, etc. I would either invest in an autel and do the research your self if you’re DIY savvy (meaning you can read values on the Autel) or you find someone to confirm it’s the injectors. You don’t wanna shell out $600+ for one injector and not be it.

I have replaced the injector of the 1st cylinder, everything is good now. The engine rev to red line with no more problem.
The injector is about 150 USD only (1000 HKD), genuine Bosch part.