2000 SLK Engine idles rough

Hello, I recently purchased a 2000 SLK with 38,000 miles. Dispite many trips to the dealer, the engine continues to idle rough, with a rythmic shudder. It's not constant, and not all that noticeable, but it vibrates the whole car in 5-10 second intervals, and only when the car is at a stop. therwise she runs fine. The dealer has done many things including replacing the spark plugs and finally we replaced the entire engine computer (for about $1500). Anyone else have this experience or have suggestions? Thanks,-RHS

Reply to
Rob Smith
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Where are you? Did you pay for the ECU?

If you live in the USA, Calif cars have a 7Y/70K emission warranty, 49 states are 8Y/80K.

Reply to
Karl

Idle is where the otherwise unnoticed performance flaws are revealed.

General, "classic," suggestions (related to gas engines):

A dirty fuel injector - add some Techron to the fuel. Fuel injectors can be removed for ultrasonic cleaning and testing. A suspect ignition wire - check with an ohm meter. Check if the engine's intake air duct clamps between the Mass Air Sensor (MAS) and intake manifold are snug. A small vacuum leak which makes the air / fuel ratio (only at idle) too lean in one or two cylinders. Such a leak could be from a vacuum hose, fuel injector seal or intake manifold gasket. If no hiss that would suggest a suspect site is heard, some propane can be CAREFULLY applied to these areas using a hose. The gas will be sucked in by the leak and the engine will be smooth for that time. That's the leak point to be sealed.

If none of these "classic" approaches proves to be the cause, the engine's high technology aspect follows:

The engine idle seems to oscillate which suggests a sensor is giving a fuzzy reading that the engine's computer is trying to target by varying the idle. Others here may have better ideas about that but my suspicion (but not certainty) would be the O2 sensor. A diagnostic code may arise from this.

Reply to
T.G. Lambach

Sounds like it could be the A/C compressor coming on and off. Turn the system completely off and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you will have a starting point. If not, look into the possibility of an O2 sensor being slow to respond. A scan tool will be necessary for this.

Paul Paul's Auto Electric

Reply to
Paul McKechnie

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