Mercedes-Benz 190 Common Problems and Solutions
Difficulty Turning Ignition
Problem:
You are finding it harder to turn the key in the ignition.
Solution:
This has become something of a running joke among owners of the 190 Series. It's one of those faults that everyone either has experienced or will experience at some point. It's a fiddly fix, but you can order an ignition lock cylinder from our parts list and remove the old one. You'll need a steady hand and some patience, though.
Difficulty level
Loud Squeal and Smoke
Problem:
There is a sudden loud squealing noise and then a lot of smoke coming from the drive belt.
Solution:
Your first step is to turn off the car. If you don't, then the drive belt will break. Let the engine cool down and check the belt for damage. If you stopped the engine in time, then it should be ok and safe to use. Next, have a look at your emissions air injection pump, which has likely seized. It will be obvious if the pump has stopped working, and you can find a replacement in our online store for quick delivery.
Difficulty level
Injector Pump Mechanism
Vibrating Steering Wheel
Problem:
The steering wheel has started to vibrate when the car is in motion. You may also notice uneven tyre wear and a general feel of poor handling.
Solution:
Check your tie rod ends, idler arm, and the drag link components that make up the steering linkage. These can wear out or get exposed to damage, and at least one of those parts will need to be replaced. Inspect them all for damage or wear and order from BreakerYard as needed.
Difficulty level
Tie Rod End
Car Shudder When Accelerating
Problem:
When you're accelerating hard, the car starts to shudder, and you can hear a loud clunking sound coming from the rear.
Solution:
The weak rear subframe and differential mounts on the 106 Series will crack and break eventually and faster if they are exposed to heavy loads. Replacing both of these parts is a challenge, although there are a few online tutorials that will talk you through the process step by step if you do want to tackle it. You can order a new rear subframe and a mount for your differential direct from our parts page.
Difficulty level
Sub Frame
Rear Drift
Problem:
The rear of the car has started to drift to one side, and overall vehicle handling has dropped.
Solution:
Your rear trailing arm bushings are very prone to wearing out and will need to be replaced. The good news is that these are very low-cost parts from our online store. The bad news is that this can be a very challenging DIY job. Do it wrong, and you can ruin your overall vehicle alignment, which will mean an expensive trip to the garage.
Difficulty level
Engine Stumbles and Rattles
Problem:
The engine has started to feel like it occasionally stumbles. There is also a persistent rattling coming from the engine.
Solution:
The timing chain in the 190 Series has the occasional issue where it jumps out of the guides. If you don't tackle this quickly, then you won't just end up causing serious damage to the chain itself, but the whole engine. Check the timing chain and order a new one from our parts list if it has been damaged or stretched.
Difficulty level
Timing Chain
Performance Drop
Problem:
The engine seems to have dropped in performance, and you are using more fuel than you used to.
Solution:
Have a look at your fuel pump relays, as these are very prone to rapid wear. If they look burnt out or damaged, then find replacements on our parts page for the 190, and easily install them yourself. If the relays themselves look fine, then the problem will be with the fuses, which will need to be replaced.
Difficulty level
Fuel Pump Relay
Engine Overheating
Problem:
The engine has started to overheat, and it happens very quickly, even from a cold start.
Solution:
Very common on the 190 Series, it's likely that you are experiencing water pump failure. You can find a new pump available for quick delivery on our parts list, and installation is pretty straightforward. However, the coolant system on the 190 is a bit of a general weak spot, and it's recommended that you replace a lot of it every 100,000 miles. That means you need to order a radiator, expansion tank, thermostat (including the housing), and fan clutch.
Difficulty level
