C180 - poor performance.

[greyboy]

Dear All,

I have a '98 C180 Sport Estate Auto, 112k, FSH, with the last service 7k ago inc new air/fuel filters and spark plugs. Due to poor performance a new MAF was fitted about 12 months ago, still the same so the garage then fitted a new hydraulic selector unit in the gearbox (both under warranty so no cost to me). Still the same so they said it could be the gearbox ECU under the passenger seat ! Enough willy - nilly component changing so i said goodbye. Genuine Benz garage too.

I have had the car 21 months now and it still has the same symptoms. Starts fine hot or cold, gear change fine up and down,runs smoothly and quietly if pottering about however if you want to go fast (yes, i know it's a 180),it is very reluctant to rev over 4k rpm and hesitates/hunts. When revved in Park, the rev limiter cuts in at 4k rpm, not near the red line. Is this normal?

I have put injector cleaner in a couple of times and today thrashed the car holding to the red line in 2nd and 3rd. It seems slightly better. Has anyone any idea what this fault could be? What else should i be looking at?

 

[R2D2]

hi, The cut out on reving in park, is designed to protect the engine when it is not loaded. The not get pass 4000 revs at speed is a fault as my C180 W202 changed up at the red line.

Was the MAF that was fitted an MB one or a copy. The fault could be MAF, it could also be in the fuel feed, injectors, fuel filter, etc. Have you checked inside the airbox and changed the airfilter recently- I once heard of a car slowed by a leave! Doubtless for ideas will follow.........

 

[greyboy]

Thanks for the reply.

The MAF is a genuine MB one. I disconnected it today, drove the car and it was still the same so i think that can be eliminated. I also checked the air filter and air box and that was fine. Mrs G has no problem with driving the car so if it can't be fixed it shouldn't cause too much of a problem. As you say, there may be other suggestions.

 

[GazCaff]

Coil packs, plug leads or plugs themselves need changing perhaps?

 

[greyboy]

Here we are a month or so later and the car is now performing much better. It will now rev cleanly round to the red line. All i have done is to give it the "Italian Tune-up" a couple of times. This really does help a car which does not get much high speed use.

 

[Dieselman]

Probably the catalytic converter getting blocked and is now breathing again.

 

[Shala]

whats the italian clean up/ I hav a c180 too & hav the similar problem

 

[Shala]

how much is a MASS adapter by the way. I've seen some on ebay.co.uk for £45.00. are they any good?

 

[Glenn Smith]

whats the italian clean up/ I hav a c180 too & hav the similar problem

At a guess, a bloody good thrashing!!:bannana:

 

[sagalout]

Mrs G has no problem with driving the car so if it can't be fixed it shouldn't cause too much of a problem.

hah, that made me chuckle. Same with my wife - I was talking about kickdown the other day - she had no idea what I was talking about as she wouldnt dream of pressing the acclerator to the floor and has therefore never experienced it!

 

[Shala]

i did notice that when the car is driven on motorway & suddenly goes on safe mode. if you rest is for 3-4 hours & drive it again the car performs better for a while before going back to normal (not working)

 

[bibamus]

whats the italian clean up/ I hav a c180 too & hav the similar problem

Get the car good and warm, make sure oil level is correct then drive it at or near red line for about 30 seconds. Do this two or three times if your nerves can stand it, seems to work on most cars. Or do as Glenn says and give it good thrashing.

Allan