Engine seems to not react to gas/acccelerator pedal being pressed (randomly) for a few seconds?

[John20]

Hi guys. So I've just bought a C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY from a dealership and I'm considering returning it as i'm very concerned about the gearbox/engine. When I goto press the accelerator or gas pedal , at least 3-4 times now the car will not react to me pressing the pedal down and this can last anywhere from 1 second to as much as 6 (roughly). It seems to happen randomly almost. I also noticed that when I had the "Consumption" (I think it was called) with the grey bar thing displayed? it would randomly shoot to the max (full bar) even though I've not done anything and we're just cruising along.

I don't know if the two things are related or not and I also don't know if either of these things are "normal"? however, it is very worrying. I do know for a fact that there is also a loud creaking noise ONLY when driving slow speed and turning the steering wheel left and right. I've already made the garage aware of the creek and I've told them I will get a mechanic to look at this car with the intentions that the garage can cover the cost of repair or they can have the car back. I'm reluctant on the car going back however as we do love this car. But I must do the right thing...so please... any advice here and tips/suggestions would be massively helpfull. If you have or need any further info please ask.

It is also worth adding that I also noticed the vehicle seemed to struggle to start a few times. But seems to be getting better as time goes on?

 

[johnsco]

All of the symptoms you record here should not be happening.
You need to return the vehicle to the dealer ASAP and ask them to perform a full scan using STAR.
This will identify the relevant fault codes.
You need a full report in respect of all the problems ...... There may be a common cause for some of them.
I would suggest you put the request in writing and that you record all the above problems, and reserve your right to reject the car if all the problems are not dealt with satisfactorily.
It's important to act quickly, as you do not want to get stuck with a load of expensive trouble.

 

[John20]

All of the symptoms you record here should not be happening.
You need to return the vehicle to the dealer ASAP and ask them to perform a full scan using STAR.
This will identify the relevant fault codes.
You need a full report in respect of all the problems ...... There may be a common cause for some of them.
I would suggest you put the request in writing and that you record all the above problems, and reserve your right to reject the car if all the problems are not dealt with satisfactorily.
It's important to act quickly, as you do not want to get stuck with a load of expensive trouble.

Thank you. This is pretty much exactly my thoughts. I do want the car, but I do not want to be stuck with a "broken" expensive to fix car either. As the dealership is 200miles away from my location, I was thinking, (and have told the garage this too) that I could get a local mechanic to have a look at the car. Depending on his findings, would determine what I did next whether to reject the vehicle and get a refund or to simply have the work carried out here and have the dealership cover the costs. Searching online for these issues seems to bring up a varied amount of things from failing gearbox to simple fuel filter being clogged... I've heard now that this car will display a message on the console if the filter was clogged, so it cannot be this it would seem? which leaves more alarming potential causes like the gearbox - that is certainly my biggest worry, that or the engine. But it's only done 80k so it would seem very premature for the engine to be at fault I would of thought?

However, I think I'm leaning more towards the return/reject the vehicle at this point as if it has these issues on day one...what else might be waiting around the corner. It is very sad though as this was one of the nicest cars I had seen so far and mileage wise, was not too high.

 

[oldguy57]

Thank you. This is pretty much exactly my thoughts. I do want the car, but I do not want to be stuck with a "broken" expensive to fix car either. As the dealership is 200miles away from my location, I was thinking, (and have told the garage this too) that I could get a local mechanic to have a look at the car. Depending on his findings, would determine what I did next whether to reject the vehicle and get a refund or to simply have the work carried out here and have the dealership cover the costs. Searching online for these issues seems to bring up a varied amount of things from failing gearbox to simple fuel filter being clogged... I've heard now that this car will display a message on the console if the filter was clogged, so it cannot be this it would seem? which leaves more alarming potential causes like the gearbox - that is certainly my biggest worry, that or the engine. But it's only done 80k so it would seem very premature for the engine to be at fault I would of thought?

However, I think I'm leaning more towards the return/reject the vehicle at this point as if it has these issues on day one...what else might be waiting around the corner. It is very sad though as this was one of the nicest cars I had seen so far and mileage wise, was not too high.

I wouldn't be going to a local mechanic unless they have STAR. I'd be rejecting the car and doing it immediately verbally and in writing. Another one will come up for sale.

 

[John20]

I wouldn't be going to a local mechanic unless they have STAR. I'd be rejecting the car and doing it immediately verbally and in writing. Another one will come up for sale.

This is pretty much what I'm thinking. So I'm going to get a report confirming the vehicle has at least one confirmed defect. This will mean the garage sold a vehicle that is "broken or damaged ('not of satisfactory quality')" which according to Consumer Rights Act 2015, they must provide full refund and collect the vehicle with no additional cost to me. At least that's what citizens advice has advised. I've spoken with my home insurance company who have a legal protection cover with and awaiting their callback from the legal team to advise but so far, the first step is to get confirmation the vehicle is faulty. The garage themselves has already made references to the creaking being "CV joint" being torn or broken so it sounds like they already knew about this issue yet sold it??

Garage is booked in tomorrow, I've not got a clue if they got a STAR system or but they can't possibly miss the problem with the creaking. IT's so loud and clunky.. so aslong as they catch at least that one.

 

[John20]

Dealership has agreed to take the vehicle back, it even developed an engine light when driving it onto the trailer lol. So that's gone....awaiting refund now. Then back to the drawing board and finding a new car!

 

[Boffin486]

Hi there - an after thought on the subject - There is a fault that may have been causing this - the C class throttle pedal assembly incorporates the 'Throttle Position' sensor (which is bonded into the assembly & can't be removed) which can go faulty, thus the ECU doesn't know you have pressed the throttle as it doesn't receive the signal. This could be an intermittent or full time fault. It is also not unknown for the vehicle wiring to be causing the same problem if there is an intermittent break in a wire.
Just thought I would add my tuppence worth.........

 

[John20]

Hi well the garage confirmed that there was A LOT of error codes for so many different things popping up, so they believed there was an electrical fault somewhere... but one thing that was certain was the throttle body and or turbo/booster was coming up as an issue so they were pretty convinced it was one of these being the main issue.

I decicded to execute my rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and 'rejected' the vehicle as it was sold to me in a state that was not of 'satisfactory condition' (e.g, does what it's suppose to do...and drive...) and they've now issued a refund. Now I'm back to the drawing board of searching for a new car!