W124 - vibration when stationary

[phoenix_nights]

W124 '94 143,000

Should i be worried?

Well i am stationary and in neutral (how to describe this) the car vibrates, then nothing, then vibrates.Its subtle but as with any new purchases you kind of take note of everything.(called paranoia) Nothing comes to mind what it could be. It obviously comes from the engine. I have owned the car for about 2 months(no problems so far) so just want to make sure all is ok. Was hoping just to service car myself but if this is an indication of something serious then i thought maybe i should get it checked out.

Not sure if it is related but car (when stereo off) can sound somewhat diesel when stationary.

Thanks......

 

[Brian WH]

W124 '94 143,000

Should i be worried?

Well i am stationary and in neutral (how to describe this) the car vibrates, then nothing, then vibrates.Its subtle but as with any new purchases you kind of take note of everything.(called paranoia) Nothing comes to mind what it could be. It obviously comes from the engine. I have owned the car for about 2 months(no problems so far) so just want to make sure all is ok. Was hoping just to service car myself but if this is an indication of something serious then i thought maybe i should get it checked out.

Not sure if it is related but car (when stereo off) can sound somewhat diesel when stationary.

Thanks......

Sounds like ignition problem and the car is hunting. Due to a possible plug or leads problem, or distributor. As it is damp mornings, try spraying all plug leads with WD40 or dampstart to see if that helps.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Could also be a worn engine mounting or a vac leak from the inlet manifold. Also check the butterfly valve on the injection distributor as a small ammount of dirt there will prevent it from closing fully.

<edit> you could try some injector cleaner, might just free up a sticky injector

 

[grober]

does this happen with the engine hot or cold/warming up? what happens to the engine revs on the rev counter when this happens? what rpm does it idle at hot and cold? A change of spark plugs would do no harm!!

 

[imadoofus]

I have a feeling mine does the same thing, now I think about it. I can only feel it through the brake pedal, and it lasts a second or so, every ten.

In my case it's something to do with the climate control, because if I turn the CC off (even if the fans are still running) it goes away.

PJ

 

[Vlad]

I would put my money on engine mounts.....I have to replace them on every new W124 that comes into my hands. Bearing in mind that the age of the youngest W124 is @ 11 years old and that most will have mileage in excess of 100,000 the engine mounts tend to be past their best and they are a common problem on the W124 range.

 

[aka$h]

Got a similar problem on my 320, its a very slight mis-fire, the rev gauge moves very slightly, ive changed engine damper, plugs, plug caps and the caps under the coils. Still the same problem, its done a 100K so it shoudlnt really do this.

Although if its very erratic, there is a sensor on the air intake pipe after the MAS and I once forgot to slot it back into the pipe, and it causes a similar problem.