Not sure what the real problem is

[fred_raven]

Help needed - have a minor diesel leak - occassionally- but only when the car starts first thing in the morning, i have left it parked in the same place at work and no signs of leak. The problem is now that it sometimes ( twice so far ) wont start first time few weeks ago when very cold -3 deg - so thought this was the cause, but again today +9 deg so not the cause. On both occassions had just enough fuel to stop the yellow fuel light coming on. After turning car over for 4 - 5 tries battery went flat on both occassions.

Big question is - is it not starting due to kna****ed battery or is there a fuel problem causing it not to start???

BTW car is park facing a slight incline maybe 3 - 5 deg if this may make any diff. Obviously dont mind the 40 - 50 quid for a new battery if this is def the cause, but at all other times it has been fine, and i do a lot of miles so battery has plenty of chance to get charged

 

[230K]

Hi

When you do get her running check the fuel lines for bubbles, most likely that the plastic fuel line rubber seals have stopped doing their job properly.
This is a common problem i think there are about 5-6 fuel lines in and around the engine bay. Try and watch where the bubbles are coming from and this will identify the offending seal.
Other cause could be the seal on the stop solonoid on the side of the IP.

Good luck,

230K

 

[dublinlad]

fuel guage???

you think its a possibility that your fuel guage might be a bit off? i had a c-coupe a few years ago and i would fill er up, guage would read full, then run clean out of juice when it was still reading over quarter full, dunno if yours is the digital type like was in mine, could be a possibility tho, maybe parking on a bit of a hill makes the difference if the tank is holding less than the guage reckons

 

[MB engineer]

High pressure diesel pipes are normally metal , it is more like to be the diesel pump and they are poorly made

 

[Dieselman]

it is more like to be the diesel pump and they are poorly made

Only if it's a CDi.

If the car is a 250 or 300 then I go with 230k. Check the O rings and pipes to and from the filter head.

Fred.
Just checked your car is a 300td. Deffo the fuel pipe unions. The pump will see the car out.

 

[Dunx]

I had similar issues with my '97 E300TD. Replaced all the plastic low pressure fuel lines, but still had intermittent starting problems and a minor fuel leak. It turned out to be a flat o-ring on the back of the shut-off valve, where it connects to the injection pump suction gallery. Replacing the o-ring cured it for me.

Hope this helps,

Duncan

 

[fred_raven]

thanks for the i/p guys
update had battery on charge all night - checked with meter 15.4 volts - cant believe the battery is faulty - will check it again later.

did start on only half a try - best its done for ages. did also park it facing downhill - maybe this makes a diff - does seem to leak more if i point it downhill overnight
will have to get the pipes changed first to see if this fixes it.

 

[Bazzle]

If fuel can get out, air can get in. wash off and find leak before playing around fruitlessly .

Bazzle

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Look near the fuel filter at the pipes, check for bubbles of air, even with the engine running.

As for the battery, perhaps its on its way out? It might not be able to hold a charge, and the worst bit is that the voltage will look fine. I know when I changed my fuel filter the battery turned the engine for a good 2 minutes. I suggest taking it to the nearest reputable garage you know of and asking them to test it.