fdimike

I have a '02 C230 Kompressor with a 6 speed manual tranny. The car has developed a problem on startup in the morning that I can only liken to something out of Detroit in the early 1970's. It hestitates, surges and generally runs like crap for the first 20-30 seconds and then runs normal thereafter. I have had it in to my local dealer (several times) who has been unable/unwilling to fix the problem. I have also had the regional Mercedes rep look at it with no luck or maybe he just wasn't interested. Is anyone out there having similar problems? If so have you been able to correct the problem? I have driven a C230 with an automatic and it doesn't exhibit any of these problems.

Nektopoli

Has it done this from day one.

NP

fdimike

This problem seemed to develop shortly after devivery. I did not experience any of these problem when I drove the dealer car. I am really disgusted in the service (lack of).
Mike

levelr123g

yes my car does this to. to correct the problem after starting the car let idle for 60 seconds. problem corrected

Jerry MB230K

my car got better with age

fdimike

Nov0798
Thanks for your response to my post. While I realize warming up the car for a minute will cure the problem this is 2003 and not 1973. I would be willing to go out on a limb here and say there isn't another car on the market today which requires warming up before driving off. This is either a design problem or a problem in some sensor or computer. I drove an automatic which exhibited NONE of the problems we are talking about here. I am leaning toward a design problem, one that no one seems willing to do anything about.
Mike

Mike T.

Did it throw a check engine code? If it's truly running improperly, it will record a code. Ask the dealer.

If they are totally unhelpful, take it to your local emissions testing centre, park it overnight then push it in the next morning for a cold start emissions test. It'll be polluting like hell if it's really running poorly, and that'll force M-B's hand - show them the printout!

Our C 230 K did this once (with code) and the problem is the fuel pump. It'll be replaced soon.

Nektopoli

Don't know about the coupe but for about 2 sec. or less when I start my SLK230 there is some valve noise untill the lifters fill with oil, also the exhaust sounds like crap at idel, but all the SLK230s do(IMHO).

NP

hobie

My '02 C230 K coupe behaves the same way. I assumed this was the result of changing to "Stage 2" fuel setting upon installing a performance pulley, thus I have not consulted the dealer. I do notice a fuel odor upon cold start as well.

avlis

My car has run funny on cold start from the day it was new. While accelerating from a stop it tends to surge or respond more to the throttle input. Releasing the throttle has the opposite affect (slows more than expected).

My assumption is that it is normal for this engine. I think it may have to do with the warmup sequence where it opens the supercharger bypass. When you attempt to drive off cold (before the bypass opens) it is sluggish. This requires you to push harder on the throttle. This sends a signal to the ECU for more power so it closes the bypass and allows the blower to boost the engine. This is the surge we feel. You let off the throttle and the bypass opens again. The ECU is probably playing with more things than just the bypass too such as cam timing, fuel mixture, EGR etc.

It's also a fact that the oil in the rearend is much thicker on cold days so some power is sapped until the diff oil warms up.

jldawkin

I've been having the same problems with my 01 c230k. Dealer couldn't figure out the issue. Possibly related were codes 105, 410, and 1519 which all went away after fixing a few breaks in vacuum hoses.

The problem of surging, hesitation, and instability at higher rpms persists until engine temp levels off at 60c or so. No CE light, no MAF issues.

Are we alone on this one? Seems like a kompressor pattern.

ambit

Holy 6yr old thread resurrection!

I have 2 x 2003 C230's (one auto, one manual) and don't have this issue.