My c-class has lost power

[c-class sport]

I purchased my 1st ever Merc, after listening to my old man how ultra reliable they are......Having driven the car for just over 7 months, i have encountered several minor problems with my 1998 C180 Sport.

The problem i have with it at the moment is....... i was driving along the M62 over the weekend and i noticed lack in power (especially up hill), the car was struggling to gain speed above 60mph even after knocking it down a gear. I've booked the car in for a service cos i checked the spark plugs and they didn't look too healthy.......

Can anyone help me? Will a service solve the problem? I've been told it could be a number of problems:
- Spark Plugs / Leads
- Fuel filter
- Something to do with the ECU

If anyone has got any other suggestions or have experienced similar problems as above please can you e-mail me.

[email protected]

Thanks.

 

[R2D2]

Spark plugs, blocked or clogged air filter, faulty sensor somewhere causing the ecu to cut power, if its an Auto you havent switched from S to W setting by mistake? Just ideas........

 

[c-class sport]

Thanks, got my car booked in.....fingers crossed.

 

[Steve_Perry]

Try a forum search for MAS* (Mass Air Sensor) and see what you think.

*EDIT* This post is probably better suited to the engine section, moving...

S.

 

[hocky]

loss of power

Well I have a 1994 C180 auto Elegance and it always has no power full stop. This is very apparent going uphill like yours. I have to do a kickdown going uphill in slow traffic and it struggles while even smaller cars coast by embarassingly. While this happens, the cars strains like hell and does make a bit of noise doing it. Quite embarassing with passengers. At higher speeds, I can compensate by speeding up as I approach the hill and speeding all the way up without using the kickdown. The problem with this auto(4 speed) is that it sometimes won't change down unless I kickdown. Sometimes it does it on its own, but by one gear, so it runs out of power after a short while if the hill is steep. My other is a 1997 C180 Classic more like yours(update model) and has a 5 speed auto which changes automatically all the time without any kickdown at all. Has not let me down since I got it in April this year. I also use 95RON for both cars for an extra kick. I personally don't think plugs or filter or servicng will make any difference if the car engine is so under powered in the first place. You should swop for a higher powered one or try a speed chip upgrade which will only be about 10kw more or is that 10hp?

 

[R2D2]

My first Mercedes was a facelifted R reg C180 Manual and whilst it wasn't a fast car it went OK and was fine on Motorways and up hills. Maybe the auto box especially the 4 speed one is just a bit of a strain on the engine.

 

[frog1520]

My first Mercedes was a facelifted R reg C180 Manual and whilst it wasn't a fast car it went OK and was fine on Motorways and up hills. Maybe the auto box especially the 4 speed one is just a bit of a strain on the engine.

I agree with that! The car is a bit heavy for its engine size, but in the manual you can compensate for it OK; when I had an auto C180 on loan, I wouldn't wait to give it back and get my manual back again!

 

[Dave Kerr]

Right then my friend has a C220 CDI I know its a diesel but it displayed all the symptoms that yours is, the good news for him was that it was done under warrenty. His car had 24K miles on it.
The cause was I'm afraid the catylitic converter, it had disintergrated, blocking the exhaust gases from getting out the exhaust.
He has an auto and could just barely get up hills and not much power on the flat.
It would have cost around £1600, I don't know if this was inflated price that the stealer had made up for the warrenty claim or a legit price.
Let us know what the findings are.

Dave
C220 CDI a bit worried