actually, i've received a letter from mercedes about the recall. It is an actual recall in Canada. The hose itself is like 12 bucks but the labor to get to the hose is like 3 hours job. However, I've my car returned to me with a leaking gas line which I can smell and see fumes coming out of the front air dam. Then, they have to pick up the car without starting it cause it may catch fire easily.

Actually, just walk into the dealer and give the your vin, inquire about recalls, if there is any, they will take it in for free. I'd brought back my 00' ML430 for a catalytic converter recall free of charge too. And they started to tell me which part is faulty and suggested repair. So, that saved me lots of diagnostic fee.

there has been a lot of recent cases of cold start issues relating to bad gas. Cheveron seems to be the common denominator at this point.

From what you describe i don't suspect it to be a battery or charging system problem as it would cause other symptoms

Its not your CPS as usually they cause no starts or hard starts when HOT.

If you havn't done maintence, your due for plugs, fuel filter, air filter by your age and mileage that would be a good place to start since its due anyways. In addition to this i would recommend you change gas stations for the next couple fillups to see if that makes any changes.

Shop rate is 130/HR. Initial diagnosis is 1.5HR.

do you expect dealer to diagnosis for free. it ain't the salvation army.

thank you come again

For $30 you can buy a code reader and see if there are any codes stored. Write them down, clear them, then cold start the car and see if it throws any new codes. Not all codes trigger a CEL, so there could be some stored that would help diagnose the issue.

That is a lot cheaper starting place than 1.5hrs at a mechanic, and you get to keep the $30 tool.

i'm not familiar with mercedes but i'd be highly skeptical if someone told me there was a code reader availalble for a late model mercedes for only $30. once you get into canbus and things, $30 doesn't get you much. not saying it's impossible (because I don't know), but most scanners are at least $50 and up.

If you don't know, don't comment.

Its got almost 60000km's its time for some maintenance and basic tuneup.
Fuel filter is part of that basic maintenance and tune up but not the outright solution.
I can recommend a factory trained merc tech if you like or you can come by here and we can help you out.

hey man, i've noticed over the years....this guys work is good...but theres better places with cheaper prices....;)

What's with the attitude? :rofl: I'm asking a question but you decide to be a jerk about it.

That was harsh.

Please highlight the question in your response. I highlighted the assumption you made without having the correct information. Instead you could have asked:

"Where can I find a $30 scanner?"
or
"Does the scanner need to read the canbus?"

Yet you didn't.

Nah, it could have been far harsher. The OP asked a technical question, random not-thought-out off the cuff answers don't help, especially when they contain incorrect information.

Sure okay there my friend.

You could have said:

Actually for the MB you don't need canbus (not until 2007 anyways) and $30 scanners are quite easy to find. Here's a couple links...

OR

$30 might be a bit low, but regardless the most you'd spend is $50. Still worth it.

Yet you didn't.

You can go ahead and keep telling yourself you're mr helpful, while in reality you're quite the arrogant one.

Regards.

try cleaning up the air mass sensor

I know I could have been more helpful in my reply, yet remember, you ignorantly spoke first. Ignorance does not merit respect.

Check my other posts in this thread, you'll find I posted a lot of good information without being ignorant or arrogant, while you just wanted to have your "voice heard" for no good reason.

GTFO

Richmond Motorworks

http://www.richmondmotorworks.com/



Dealership quoted $5000+ to fix an issue and Richmond Motorworks costed $700

so today, my water pump for my car decided to shit the bed.....major wobble in the shaft?...lols.

I can't believe the sheer amount of lacking car knowledge on here... especially considering it's a car enthusiast forum.

well, i don't see how you are helping the situation....maybe you can enlighten us with you KNOWLEDGE....:rolleyes:

very common and actually quite easy to do

OP, you have the M271 engine. (2003-2005 C230k) Taylor192 and I both have your same engine.

Spark plugs are easy to change from what I've read. I haven't done mine yet though, and don't plan on doing it in the near future. I don't think this is the problem you have though, or you'd have power issues all the time, not just when the engine is cold.

The M271 engine has 2 "recalls" from MB. They may just have been TSBs (I cannot remember) but I had them all done. 1 for the Crank Position Sensor, and 1 for the 2 hoses Taylor mentioned. The CPS one is to stop an oil leak that coats your engine harness and soaks freaking everything. :eek: This one can be DIYed if the dealer won't cover it. As for the 2 hoses, the upper one can be DIYed with some tools. Google "$12 hose" and my MBW DIY post is the 1st link. ;) The 2nd hose was done under warranty so I don't know anything about it.