Wolfman

I am hoping to get some clues as to what is happening with our SL!

Late 04 SL600...42K miles. Came from the office today to get in the car and started it up and unlike this morning when it drove perfectly, the car sounded really loud (almost like if there is a hole in the exhaust), running rough with no power and the light smell of gas.

I have never had an issue with the car except a similar scenario a couple months back when the same thing happened for a few minutes.
That time the engine light stayed on but the car drove perfectly afterwards. MB said there was an engine misfire error code, but everything checked out perfect. They just cleared the code.

The only other thing that was noteworthy is that many months ago, the purge valve made an occasional ticking noise that would go away...

Sorry about the lengthy write-up, but this time the issue appears to persist. I drove home as I had an appointment and was also hoping that the issue would clear itself up again.

Any thoughts what this could be?

Thanks!

Wolfman

FLSL55

Go to an auto store and borrow their OBDII scanner. It will give you a code. Then check it on the board or on google.

SL600 V12TT

Hey Wolfman, I had the same problem. It's either one of the coils or both. I just had both mine changed along with the spark plugs. I didnt have warrenty so $4k bill kinda made me . I hope you have warrenty if not good luck buddy. Oh yeah Mercedes didn't know until they toke some parts apart so tell them check it out.

Wolfman

That's what I am thinking of as well after some more research. No warranty though MB warranty just expired and 3rd party warranty for V12's seem more rare.

Interestingly enough, the car started up perfectly again this morning. After sitting in the sun for the day, it did the same thing. This time I shut the engine off, restarted; everything was fine.

Can the heat have to do with engine misfires? Could the purge valve have something to do with that?

I'll check on the error code tomorrow. The last check cost me $160 so te auto store is a great idea!

Thanks,

Wolfman

SL600 V12TT

I suggest you check it out. Mine did the same thing, after sitting in my garage and in the sun for 2 weeks. It came on and off a few times. Mercedes didn't know anything. Until the following week the same thing happend and I was very pissed. I then toke it back with the engine light on and told my service rep to come outside and take her for a spin. As we came out he told me the car doesnt sound rite. Then he told me it could be a coil, misfire. I got a call within the next 2 days telling it was the coils not sure which one. He told me they had reset the coils a few times to make sure. After they toke some parts out and notice the coils and spark plugs were shot. I couldn't believe due to the fact I had only 25k miles on the car. Anyways it's running like a champ now. I hope you get rite on it. I wouldnt wanna wait and see.

They had to put 12 miles on the car after resetting the coils a few times so make sure it doesnt go over that mark. Good Luck and keep me posted

2003 S600

what is the purge valve?