1998 W210 E240 misbehaving when cold

[harryburgundy]

Hi there
I'm back to MB ownership with an unfeasibly rust free 1998 W210 E240
107K 2.4 V6 Auto
But...it's being a bit naughty when cold. The throttle response is jerky...on acceleration not much happens then its comes on strong, bit dangerous sometimes. This morning it seemed to hold onto the low gears for too long too. When warm it seems fine but occasionally feathering on the pedal in first/second it seems a bit jerky too.
Is it worth popping some Forte injector cleaner in the tank?
I want to try and diagnose this myself. As I do not have an OBD2 post undet the steering wheel I am guessing this has the 38 pins round connector under the boot. Can I buy a OCB2 convertor and use a generic scanner?
Many thanks
PS Wheels are letting the car down...any cheapish solutions
Cheers

Carl

 

[harryburgundy]

Update for anyone interested

At the advice of member Dan I fitted a new battery, as I know the battery was flat/had been on charge just before I bought the car...and apparently low tired batteries and old Mercs don't go together. I also gave it the soft ECU reboot malarky.

Definite improvement, but not 100%...or even 90%

Booked the car in to local Indy Mercedes. Diagnosed as transmission leak into electric module with the oil travelling up the wiring loom (common). Cleaned, transmission oil topped up, a couple of other small adjustments and now much much improved. £200 bill still hurts.

Indy now recommends complete gearbox flush with new oil and filter, and at 100k miles that sounds about right...and new module. From what I have seen, the module should be fine with just a clean...the oil doesn't contaminate it. Views?

Quote to have the above done (with new module)...another £200. Seems like a lot of dosh to me
Thoughts?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Oil should clean out and module should be fine. £200 for a gearbox flush and oil and filter isn't a bad price, if they are doing it properly. Bit on the high side if they are just changing the sump.

I would check the MAF, unplug it and see if the car runs ok when cold, if so, replace.

 

[harryburgundy]

Oil should clean out and module should be fine. £200 for a gearbox flush and oil and filter isn't a bad price, if they are doing it properly. Bit on the high side if they are just changing the sump.

I would check the MAF, unplug it and see if the car runs ok when cold, if so, replace.

Thanks for your reply...nothing showing on the MAF in diagnostics so guessing that's okay

 

[martyz]

All the symptoms of a bad MAF...

 

[alexanderfoti]

Maf's rarely log fault codes.

 

[harryburgundy]

Okay, thanks, I'll check it out

 

[harryburgundy]

Had new oil and filter replaced today, including new multi plug...much improvement but still occasional light throttle hesitation usually when lifting and reapplying power at low speeds...at a junction for example

Pulled the MAF off and it wasn't happy about that but suspect I should replace as a matter of course...anyone know the part number?

Otherwise no faults showing on star diagnosis

 

[harryburgundy]

New MAF ordered

Annoyed with myself that I didn't (the garage didn't recommend) replacing the conductor plate whilst I was at it.

 

[harryburgundy]

A little update

New MAF fitted (part #0280217515) and a definite improvement. Much improved throttle response and in combination with the gearbox fluid change...the car feels to be changing at the right time and smoothly BUT

It did thump into one gear (2nd I think) on the way to work today but I think I will just drive it a bit and see if things settle down

Next job...key fob keeps discharging battery