Strange idle issue on S320 CDI 55 reg W220 and a few other niggles

[MWCLS]

Hi all,

Finally purchased my a car I have always wanted to tick as it were on Friday morning. I have bought it from a trader just he is the other side London and is a pita to get to the car comes with the worthless 3 month warranty.

Now foolishly I had never started the car from cold. He actually delivered the car to me looked it over all seemed ok few little things to do. They were done.

So I had a delay with a private plate coming off so once this was dealt with I arranged for me to go and collect.

I turn up 11am cars not there ( he has a serviced office ) so he says I'll just bring the car around. All looked good for a car of that vintage and what I paid. The car had clearly been driven from his site as the temp was around 80 degrees so I just assumed as one may do.

Drive the car back no problems. Go to start Saturday morning and its a long crank but I guess this cold weather doesn't help. When the car does fire up the rpm is up and down from 7/800 to 12/1300 for the first 30 seconds and the car sounds like a Massey Ferguson!

So i take it for a drive warm it up and all is well. Apologies if I boring you silly I'm just trying to explain in as much detail.

So when I turn the car off it makes quite a noticeable shake. It does this regardless.. funny thing is on the test drive I never noticed this I guess I just got caught up in the excitemet of having a car that a wanted again.
I have also noticed to the rear of the engine what looks like a diagnostic plug black top with some red plastic broken inside which is rattling around of a metal bracket.. ( OM648 ) engine.

Before I pop to my local specialist and he may present me with a schedule of works I'd really appreciate if any one could shed any info on these problems before I go back to the trader and tells me that particular part isn't covered!

I only paid 3.5k for the car it has a amazing Mercedes service history and very well speced it has been serviced at MB all its life bar the last one which the trader did although it had been serviced at MB Coventry in May 17 2k ago!

The previous owner didnt skimp ATF brake fluid changes all at the right time. New airmatic compressor and bracket new alarm siren. Some other work last year 10k ago sump off replace speed sensors fill with fluid and reset ECU £1100! Ball joints.. Nozzles what ever they are £660! I have near on 20k of receipts from MB! Madness this is what attracted me to the car cubnite with pebble wasn' my first choice but it has so many options ticked.. I over looked it.

It Has covered 158k which I guess is average for its age but the history sold it.

There were clearly other cars with less miles saying full history.. the last mot does that count!


Any help or direction or have I bought a lemon which I doubt with that history.

Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

Michael

 

[m2287]

The car shuddering when you turn it off suggests worn engine mounts to me (very common these).

Slow starting/dodgy idle could be anything from low fuel pressure caused by a massive number of variables... Does it make a chuffing noise at all when it’s running? This would show that you have at least one bad injector.

Are there fuel deposits around the high pressure pump at the front of the engine? These engines are notorious for split pipes/worn o-ring seals on the pump.

 

[MWCLS]

Thank you for your help/ advice the engine mounts probably a expensive job then!

It doesn't chuff at all but it bloody noisy ( Cold ) compared to the straight 6 I had in a E90 3 series 330 BMW diesel.


High pressure fuel pump, I wouldn't know where to look I assumed that would be under the car like most fuel pumps.

Thanks again. Your Bentley is stunning.

 

[m2287]

Thank you for your help/ advice the engine mounts probably a expensive job then!

It doesn't chuff at all but it bloody noisy ( Cold ) compared to the straight 6 I had in a E90 3 series 330 BMW diesel.


High pressure fuel pump, I wouldn't know where to look I assumed that would be under the car like most fuel pumps.

Thanks again. Your Bentley is stunning.

Engine mounts aren’t too bad to do, the drivers side is hardest as the cat is right in the way!

The fuel pump is literally bolted on right at the front of the engine, it’s black, and has 3 (I think, could be wrong!) pipes going into it!

I wouldn’t be surprised if you have injector seal problems as it’s fine when the engine is hot, search for Black Death! Again, very common but a good Indy can reseat a bad one easily enough.

Thanks, I’m hoping to hear back today from the garage, fingers crossed they have sorted it!

 

[MWCLS]

Thanks again for your advice I have the car booked in with my Indy for next Monday. Left a message for the trader.

Good luck and I hope all is good with the Bentley.

 

[Joderest]

If the motor trader you bought car from is half decent, he will pay or contribute to the cost at another garage if its too far to go back to him.
For example, 4 years ago we bought our Mini Clubman off e bay, we did not view it due to distance, over 200 miles away, and i could not drive at the time due to knee surgery. Car was delivered to us by the dealer.
After a couple of weeks i got out and had a good look, air con was not working, and headlight bulb out, as i was a bit "lame" at the time i could not fix it myself, so sent it off to local garage for fix, the condenser had a hole in it, and was replaced and re gassed, all fine,also fitted headlight bulb. I cannot remember how much repair was, but contacted the supplying dealer, explained, he said pop the receipt in the post to us, 5 days later, cheque arrived for full cost with a nice letter saying that car should have been sorted before we got it.

 

[MWCLS]

Trader replied to my text not call.. he is sending someone over tomorrow morning with a courtesy car taking mine to his " Approved " garage for checking over and repairs.

See how it goes.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[MWCLS]

Just to update and conclude, the trader collected the car left me with a courtesy car 3 days later returned with a home made invoice stating glow plugs and glow plug relay replaced and a empty diesel tank 50 quid of v power for a 20 mile journey here and back!

The car was better but still not great so I spoke with John at Gemtech in Romford, popped down there this morning they do a free health check.

So after inspection.

No 5 injector very slight leak early signs

Gear box mount shot

Front discs and pads plus sensors.

Nothing else found to be defective.

Front brake discs and pads need replacement ( although there isnt any lipping on the front they feel quite uneven behind )

Total £600.00 ( £350 ) odd is the brake discs and pads.

Spoke with the trader and emailed him the diagnostic requested the garage that carried out the repair contact details on my car he couldn't due to them having only a mobile the mechanic doesn't like to give out to people he doesn't know!

I asked for a goodwill gesture considering he had assured me all faults I had requested to being rectified and his agreement being done. The brake discs and pads I would take that as not being diligent on my part.

His response. I'l offer you a full refund for the car!

Am I missing somehing. I have never came across a trader offering full refund for the sake of £100!

Car booked into Gemtech for works to be carried out first week of January.

 

[merc85]

I'd give it back and get your refund. Saves the agro doesn't it? sounds like he aint to bad bloke to deal with.

 

[MWCLS]

I'd give it back and get your refund. Saves the agro doesn't it? sounds like he aint to bad bloke to deal with.

I just did this morning Gav. To much agro. Full refund. I never remember buying a second hand car so difficult as it is now!

 

[merc85]

Good move on your part buddy. Yes seems alot of toot out there at the moment, I'm sure the right car will come along soon enough.