Urgent - Please Help

[surreychris]

Hi All
I have a 2001 w210 E220 CDI which until yesterday was running well but is now running like a dog with three legs.

The symptons are as follows;

1. The car seems to start fine but idles very badly
2. The car does not have its usual power and you have to push the throttle quite a bit to move off from stationary then the revs shoot up.
3. When the revs build up the exhaust is quite smokey and smells of diesel.

Is there any common issues with the diesel engine that causes this to happen.

This is my first diesel car and I am still learning about such engines, all my previous experience is with petrol engines.

If I was to guess what might be happening I would guess that maybe one of the glowplugs isnt working and that the fuel injected into this cylinder is not burning and then being pushed into the exhaust and then being burnt by the exhaust resulting in the smoke and strong smell of diesel.

Any ideas guys as I need to keep this car on the road?

Thanks in advance

Chris

 

[Will]

Might be worth a search on the forum for 'MAS' failure or 'MAF' sensor problems.

You could temporarily disconnect it to help with the diagnosis

Will

 

[wemorgan]

My father's car with the same engine as yours had the first two symptoms you mentioned and it was due to a faulty MAF.
Bosch sensor was ~£100 and 2 minutes to DIY.

 

[surreychris]

Thanks guys, I will do a search on the maf and have a look

does anyone know the symptons a non working glow plug produces

Regards

Chris

 

[wemorgan]

does anyone know the symptons a non working glow plug produces

Poor starting.

Once the engine has started the glow plugs are off.

Diesel engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[jaymanek]

more than likely an injector issue..

 

[surreychris]

Hi
I am inclined to agree that it is a mass airflow issue, I have unplugged the connector on the airflow and the car idles smoothly and the smoke has disappeared.

I removed the airflow meter and cleaned it with carb cleaner, although it was not very dirty. I replaced the connector and the problem appeared again, so I'm sure the sensor is faulty.

I now have 2 questions;

1. How long can i drive the car with the airflow meter connection unplugged, and what risk does it involve

and

2. Where is the best/cheapest place to get one, I have looked on GSF's website and cant seem to find one listed, nor on eurocarparts website?

Thanks

Chris

 

[wemorgan]

Have you checked: euromercwebstore

or there is always Ebay......just check that a genuine Bosch part is being sold.

 

[grober]

Give GSF or ECP a phone with your chassis no handy. They should be able to offer you complete units or better/cheaper still an insert [Bosch or Pierburg]. They don't list everything on their websites.

 

[surreychris]

Thanks

I did try to call them but they dont open sunday, so i will call them in the morning.

Is the car ok to drive with the airflow meter unplugged, or will it cause more damage?

regards

Chris

 

[grober]

Should be fine -in the absence of a signal from the MAFF the ECU resorts to a backup set of values. Result is a cruder form of fuel control with probably a slight drop in economy/drive-ability but engine should be fine. Just don't go thrashing it down any motorways at peak power to be on the safe side.

 

[tony2311]

try your local dealer, i paid £60 for my c270cdi a few weeks ago