E220 cdi misbehaving

[uhayat]

hi all - I am in dire need of help.
Yesterday my w211 2002 - with 49K miles lost power. All gear changes are fine and smooth but it just doesnt gain speed. It will go to approx 60mph and that too if you keep the pedal pressed. quite a lot of black smoke also comes out of the exhaust.
I went home - switched it off. the car started on first try but engine sounded as if it was under heavy load. Anyway after a few hours i tried again - now the car starts first time but when I press the accelerator, the car starts mis firing sputters and dies. If I crank it again, it starts again and idle seems normal. what can it be? maf? egr? please help - any inputs appreciated.

- Usman

 

[Dieselman]

Could be the EGR valve sticking open or just an air leak into the fuel pipes.

 

[uhayat]

thanks dieselman - is there any particular way to check the egr? air leak?

 

[Dieselman]

Check the clear plasic fuel pipes for bubbles.

 

[uhayat]

mine doesnt have clear plastic pipes but all black ones.

 

[BlackC55]

It does. Pull the black plastic back.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Sounds like the EGR sticking to me.

 

[uhayat]

Update: read comments - pulled out egr valve and sure enough it was stuck wide open. Cleaned it out (used wd40 - is that ok? anything better) dried it and put it back. Car back to normal again - thank you all.
Now i'm back to the starting issue - it usually starts on the 2nd or the third try on the one touch starting when I start it after an hour or so. If I switch off and on - it starts instantly.
Olly: (i hope i have the name right) - I havent been able to find any clear pipes - all the black thick ones which are clamped with the filter and the other side to the respected ends. I will try and get a picture tomorrow morning.

 

[Dieselman]

Air leaking in either at the pipes or via worn injectors.

Check the pipes and filter connections and perform an injector leak off test.