Cold Start Engine jerk and switch off

[mj1857]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for reading my thread.

I have a 2010 Mercedes C Class CDI Blue efficiency W204 (AUTOMATIC) DIESEL which is maintained up-to requirement from Mercedes, Infact just had a service B done 2 days ago.

Its developing a weird problem. When I cold start in the morning, starts fine but soon as I change gear, it jerks and switch off the engine. If I leave it started for 5 minutes, the jerk is minimal but doesnt switch the engine off and I can carry on driving, without any problem. No problems during the day whatsoever.

During the service, nothing came up in diagnostics codes etc and now Mercedes is asking for more money to diagnose further. Just wondering if anyone else had this sort of problem before?

Thanks for helping.

mileage:145000

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Has this happened since the service or before?

I'd be on the phone saying since the service so and so is happening and demanding they sort it out, if that was me

 

[mj1857]

Yes it did happen before service and I told them to check, said they couldn't find anything wrong with engine or no ecu fault codes came up

 

[grober]

The fact it happens when changing gear suggests you may have a problem with the gearbox rather than the engine? This may happen when the gearbox fluid is cold. When was the gearbox fluid/filter changed last or its fluid level checked?

 

[mj1857]

The fact it happens when changing gear suggests you may have a problem with the gearbox rather than the engine? This may happen when the gearbox fluid is cold. When was the gearbox fluid/filter changed last or its fluid level checked?

Not sure when it was last change. but I just checked and gear oil level is less than minimum :'(

shall I just top it up? or have it all changed?

 

[zipdip]

Is that mileage right a 5 year old car with 145,000,if so it would seem it maybe a gearbox problem,does it happen if you select reverse,the fact that once you get it running you have no problems,is a puzzle,has the box ever had a service,where are you based,all this info will help members to give advice.

 

[grober]

Not sure when it was last change. but I just checked and gear oil level is less than minimum :'(

shall I just top it up? or have it all changed?

What mileage has the car done? Some of these gearboxes are supposed to be sealed for life but many advocate a fluid and filter change at around the 30-35K miles mark as any gearbox "bedding in" will have occurred by then. Next change might comfortably be left to around double that mileage next time. Because you have experienced possible gearbox related problems and without any service evidence of a fluid change it might be a good idea to get both filter and fluid changed - This is probably best left to a specialist as the level has to checked at a specific fluid temperature.

 

[mj1857]

I just called Mercedes to findout when was the last time gear oil changed but they cant tell atm. Apparently the oil level i just checked is engine oil - I am really shocked to see its minimum level? They're saying I can bring the car in to get it checked?

is engine oil level suppose to be less than minimum if its parked for more than 6 hours?

also, as per mercedes, there is no way to check gearbox oil levels

 

[mj1857]

Yes the car has done 145000 in nearly 6 years(motorway mileage). I am from Bedfordshire and car was last serviced by Milton keynes Mercedes.

looking at the oil level, it doesnt look like they changed the oil and filters

I am contacting customer service to get this further. this is absolutely unacceptable

 

[grober]

Because these fluids expand with heat there are usually 2 marks on the engine dipstick
1 level when cold-- 2 level when hot. When cold the oil should at least reach the minimum/cold level. Should be detailed in the owners handbook. Normally I would expect it to register about half way between the two marks when cold. The usual problem is that dealers tend to overfill with oil- if its at the max/hot level when cold its possibly overfilled. IIRC there's a difference of around 2 litres between the two marks on the dipstick so 1 litre should be about right for a top up but gently does it and give that new oil time to reach the sump! OR just take it in to the dealer to top up/ check--- a few days after a B service it should be free. Without a dipstick they should be able to check the hot gearbox fluid level with an infrared gun type thermometer.

 

[mj1857]

I've launched a complaint with Mercedes headoffice against Milton Keynes SD. Hope they resolve this issue asap. I do hope its just gearbox fluid needs changing

 

[zipdip]

Well as you may have read in lots of posts,members tend to do their own servicing or use a mercedes specialist local to them,some use the main dealers when they have a service pack with the car,so the main dealer did a B service and you have found the oil level is at the bottom of the dip stick,is the oil filter new or dirty,I suspect you see now why so many use the specialists best of luck.

 

[ALFIEBEARD]

Well as you may have read in lots of posts,members tend to do their own servicing or use a mercedes specialist local to them,some use the main dealers when they have a service pack with the car,so the main dealer did a B service and you have found the oil level is at the bottom of the dip stick,is the oil filter new or dirty,I suspect you see now why so many use the specialists best of luck.

I am one of those who does his own servicing, I always use the correct oil + filters and always use genuine Mercedes parts and keep the receipts, that way I know everything has been done correctly.

Alfie

 

[BlackC55]

Does it stall when cold when you put it in drive?

 

[mj1857]

Yes it does take a hickup then switchoff.

Mercedes breakdown service came in today and checked engine oil is fine and was only showing empty bcz of the car was parked n slight slope which I didn't realize.

Back to the original problem, they also said it could be the ATF which hasnt been changed in a while but its better to get the torque checked as well.

I am quite reluctant to go back to mercedes after seeing their lack of professionalism. Does anyone know a good Mercedes specialist in Dunstable/Luton/Houghton Regis Area?

First thing first, I am thinking of getting ATF changed and see if that fixes the problem and while its being done, Torque can be checked or does it require special tools as well>?

 

[zipdip]

Look you are new to all this can I suggest you wait for a member to advise a merc specialist to do a complete service on your gearbox,it is not as expensive as you think,all the bolts may have to be changed that hold the pan on plus filter and the torque converter will be drained the box has to be up to temperature,strangely one of the best places to get this done has just posted Prestige is where lots of members go but he is in Hampshire,I suspect your box like mine on my S320 is supposed to be sealed for life but at the mileage of your box it should have been serviced at least twice,so wait until somebody points you to a local specialist.

 

[mj1857]

Thanks - I'll wait

 

[mj1857]

mercedes quoting 210 for ATF change n serviced.

Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes Benz - Terry quoted 190 - not much of a difference

 

[mr tibbs]

Try HA Lock, Mercedes Specialists
Address: Sanders Lodge, Northampton Rd, Rushden NN10 6BW
Phone:01933 313077
I have used them and they are excellent

Keith

 

[mj1857]

He's going on vacation, back on 2nd Dec -but the price he gave is perfect (nearly 80 pound difference). He sounded genuine as well. If I can't get anyone else to do the job quickly, I will get him to do it.

Thanks Keith.