Mercedes GLA engine issues fuel consumption stalling

My 2014 Mercedes GLA with a gasoline engine is giving me some serious headaches. I've got 101439 km on the clock, and lately, it feels like I'm practically pouring petrol into the tank. The fuel consumption has gone through the roof. The engine power is definitely reduced; it feels sluggish. It stalls at idle sometimes, which is super embarrassing at traffic lights. I've noticed some smoke when I accelerate – not all the time, but enough to make me worry. Could it be something with the injection system? Where do I even start looking? Could a simple cable or plug connection be the culprit? Has anyone else experienced something like this?

4 comment(s)

Your description certainly suggests a potential issue with the fuel injection system. The symptoms you are experiencing—increased fuel consumption, reduced engine power, stalling, and smoke—are all indicative of such a problem. A defective cable or plug connection could indeed be the cause. Have you observed any fuel leaks, either liquid or the smell of fuel, particularly around the engine bay or fuel lines? Has the engine warning light illuminated on the dashboard? This could provide additional diagnostic information.

Thanks so much for the reply. No visible fuel leak that I can see, and yes, the engine warning light is on – should have mentioned that. It's been on for a while now, but I kind of ignored it. When you say 'fuel lines,' where exactly should I be looking? Is it something I can check myself, or am I better off just taking it to a mechanic? I am just trying to avoid unnecessary repair costs.

Given that the engine warning light is illuminated and you are not observing any obvious fuel leaks, I would advise against attempting any repairs yourself unless you possess considerable expertise in automotive diagnostics and repair. The fuel lines are typically located underneath the vehicle and within the engine compartment, connecting the fuel tank to the engine. Incorrectly handling fuel lines or electrical connections can create a fire hazard. It is prudent to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified technician to accurately diagnose the fault and prevent potential damage or injury. In my case, I had similar symptoms and the root cause was exactly a defective cable connection.

You were spot on. I took it to a workshop, and it turned out to be a faulty plug connection on one of the injectors, just like you suggested. They replaced the connector, cleared the error codes, and everything is running smoothly again. The repair cost was only 95€. Thanks a million for your help; you saved me a ton of stress and probably a lot of money by pointing me in the right direction.

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