Another w202 not starting thread

[crookedvulture]

Hi guys,

Firstly, Sorry for starting another thread on this. I have spent the last week going through threads only to discover different advice on each and every one. Thought I would start afresh.
Ok, about a week ago, I went down to get in the car and it wouldnt start. V Strange, I thought, as it has always started perfectly. Took it to my indie, who changed the fuel filter, and the fuel filter housing and it seemed to be ok... until the next morning. Wouldn't start.
Back to the indie, who sad he tested it with a pressure tested and could find no leaks (hmmm), did say that it seemed to help parking it downhill though. Decided I could live with this for now, just wanted my car back!
Well, parked it facing downhill last night and went to bed with a grin on my face, knowing I could DRIVE to work today.
FAIL!

Bloody thing wont start again! Have just got off the phone from the mechanic who reckons fitting a non-return valve, and possibly even an electric pump, might solve it.
I hae noticed that there seems to be air in 2 of the plastic fuel lines, and have attached a photo for you. The bubbles are in the two lines located just to the right of the black pipe labeled K01. What do you think? I'm at my wits end, and running low on cash, so cant afford to keep throwing new parts at it until we luck out and the problem goes away...

 

[JonathanC250]

From reading your post in the other recent c250 thread, it sounds like someone has swapped the fuel feed and return lines round, which would explain the 1/4 of a tank thing.

One of the main things to check on these, seems to be the orings in the clear fuel lines, they perish and let air in.

Apparently it is easy to just change the orings, which would be a cheap fix, when i tried mine, the pipes were extremely brittle, so i ended up buying the 6 new clear pipes, which worked out about £ 90. easy to fit, if you know a little about cars, tale the intake manifold off though, makes it so much easier!

Another place to check is the fuel stop solonoid, an oring behind this also perishes, if your doing the fuel lines, get this o ring too.

From your picture, it looks like most of the pipes have emptied, so i would start at the fuel pre filter, get a new one, with an o ring from mercedes only, i tried one from euros once, air just kept getting in!

Also, the injector return hose could be perished, also a cheap fix, get a couple of meters from a motor shop, and cut to size!

Try all the cheap options first!

Anyway, i hope you understand my rambling, and it is of some help to you!

 

[crookedvulture]

Thanks for your advice
I spoke to Mercedes today and have ordered the 6 fuel lines, plus a seal for the shut-off valve. They should be arriving on Monday so hopefully by tuesday I will be able to give you an update.

Thanks again

 

[JonathanC250]

no problem!

Good luck!

 

[crookedvulture]

Pipes and shutoff valve seal getting fitted as I type

 

[nick250d]

Reference the plastic pipes replacment

Hello, I have an identical fault to your non start. Could you confirm if the replacment of the plastic pipes and O ring's solved the issue please?

If so do you still have details of the part numbers you ordered? Also if you take the plastic manifold off do you need to change those seals too, or can they be re-used?

Thanks.

 

[JonathanC250]

Hello, I have an identical fault to your non start. Could you confirm if the replacment of the plastic pipes and O ring's solved the issue please?

If so do you still have details of the part numbers you ordered? Also if you take the plastic manifold off do you need to change those seals too, or can they be re-used?

Thanks.

Please see my post on this thread, i think its the 2nd one.

All part numbers there
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/96735-w202-c250-fitting-clear-fuel-pipes-help-please.html

 

[nick250d]

thanks will have a look..

 

[nick250d]

And replacing those parts fixed your car starting problem? No return issues?

 

[SilverSaloon]

yes it should do. if you have airleaks that are more or less always caused by these clear pipe orings and other fuel connections the car may be fine during summer months and you will only start to see issues once it starts to get cold.

if you can see air bubbles flowing through those clear pipes then you have an air leak somewhere.

fix it, dont mask it with non-return valves or electric fuel pumps - there is no need for any of it if the fuel system is air leak free

 

[BlackC55]

There is a MB upgrade to fit a non return valve. It is documented in WIS. Done a couple to date.