Recommended Mercedes repairer?

soul.fire6, Jun 8, 5:18am
So my 97 C240 has an issue engine issue where it starts up but will not rev, rendering it undrivable only after taking the battery out to start a friends car - it was running fine before doing this. Symptoms pointed to faulty MAF sensor but still no luck with a new one installed so figure its time to take it to the pro's - can anyone here recommend a Merc specialist around Auckland (preferably North Shore) that wont charge and arm & leg just to lift the bonnet!

dbolton, Jun 8, 5:46am
Did you replace MAFwith a new Mercedes part or aftermarket. Mercs generally don't like anything but original MAF. You really new to have any codes read as it could be many things. coil packs Ignition wiring or Oxygen sensors. Many auto electricians have there own readers so check them first.

sr2, Jun 8, 5:52am
Burger Motor Works or German Automotive, both on the shore.

intrade, Jun 8, 6:03am

soul.fire6, Jun 8, 6:16am
Thanks for the replies fellas, the replacement was a second hand one out of a C240 I know was a good runner so I cant see it being a dud. I've read the car should be still be hooked up to a Star scanner to a) check any fault codes (engine light hasnt come on at any point though) & b) reset any adaptive values that would be stored in the ECU from the last MAF sensor.
But of course this means taking it to a shop and I'm 95% sure the fault is electrical which is bit beyond my home workshop capabilities. What ball park figure should i expect to pay for a scan/diagnosis on one of these!

intrade, Jun 8, 6:19am
my mate got a c220 no check engine wiring loom is just dust and copper . starts and as soon as you put in drive it spits and coughs and when you drive it farths and coughs . replacing the main harnes to gearbox made 0 difference as that was most obviously shortening out . Dont know what he wants to do now he is gone till september
the forum i posted will have your answer more likely then what you will get on here.

jezz43, Jun 8, 2:10pm
diagnostic check ups generally cost in the region of $95. that includes checking for faults, and a reset of codes

thejazzpianoma, Jun 8, 6:35pm
I don't know squat about C220's but it dosn't have variable valve timing does it!
A VVT solenoid or possibly dodgy wiring leading to it will do that. You may have a passable idle with no load but as soon as you put it in drive you can have stalling or popping and farting.
What makes me wonder is that you don't always get a code (at least not straight away) in that situation.
Worth giving it a clean up and a bench test incase perhaps!

Forgive me if I am telling you how to suck eggs!

intrade, Jun 9, 12:29am
na i be looking at that i am no expert on elecronic crap

thejazzpianoma, Jun 9, 4:19am
I think you will like it when you see it then! Assuming its like others I have seen its just a basic solenoid that moves a plunger. The only trap you can fall into is some have an integrated hydraulic pressure sensor. so if it has more than one wire grab some advice before you bench test in case you fry the sensor.

Bear in mind I may be speaking out of turn this is just a general guess and not Mercedes specific so don't panic if you can't find one it may have a different system etc.

Worth having a wee google to check if you get bored anyhow. Incidentally somtimes you will hear a loud clicking/chattering noise at certain rev's if they are playing up too. but not always.

Good luck, hope that dosn't lead you on a wild goose chase but worth looking into if you have run out of ideas. Best of luck with it!

dbolton, May 24, 3:01pm
By 1997 Bio degradable harnesses had been rectified and was not a problem