Re:Fuel problems

[chesterpiglet]

Hello all.
I am a very new member having bought a W210 E300 Diesel estate last week...the only problem is it has broken down this week!Its a 1997 on an R so I think it is the 130hp Turbo diesel?I parked it on a slight hill with a camber as well,when I left it the fuel light wasn't on but was when I tried to start it this morning.It tried to catch but just wouldn't and then the battery went flat.I put more fuel in it expecting an easy restart but it just wouldn't go.The breakdown technician couldn't get it going either.He slackened off all the injectors and could only get a little coming out of the 1st one.He then removed the inlet pipe(as you look at the fuel filter the one on the right)and only ever got a trickle out.He didn't for some reason try blowing air back through the system.
Anyway the plan is to go back with a good fully charged battery,a new fuel filter(even though it was serviced 3K ago I don't know what was done),and a compressor to try and blow any blockages back!
Any help or advice would be gratefully received.I did look for another filter nearer the tank and a priming mechanism but found none.MB weren't very helpful suggesting I just keep turning it over and it would clear through.
HELP me PLEASE!
Many thanks
Regards Rob

 

[Dieselman]

Pound to a penny it will be the O rings on the clear plastic fuel pipes have flattened and are leaking air in. Look for air bubles in the clear pipes.
The favourite one is the pre-filter.

FUEL LINES

That engine is the 177 bhp version.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Pound to a penny it will be the O rings on the clear plastic fuel pipes have flattened and are leaking air in. Look for air bubles in the clear pipes.
The favourite one is the pre-filter.

FUEL LINES

That engine is the 177 bhp version.

i would agree with Dieselman - get all the O-rings replaced on the clear plastic pipes (or replace the pipes themselves).

and also take a look at the top of the IP to see if there is any diesel leaking from the Delivery Valve Seals.

See my threads here that cover these subjects:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=49844&highlight=clear+fuel+lines

at the very end of this thread, there is a link to Parrot's DVS how-to and also a list of all part numbers needed - best double check these for the clear pipes on your W210 though as some will be different as mine is a W124 even though it has the same 606 engine

good luck.

Derek

 

[kwakdonut]

....and welcome to the forum BTW!!!!

 

[chesterpiglet]

Hi all
Many thanks for your replies.The car is going to be recovered tomorrow to my local garage and I'll print off these remedies for him.
Thanks again
Regards Rob

 

[chesterpiglet]

Hi all
I finally got my car back today.I took it to my local independant garage who has been good for me over the years with MOT's etc.He worked through things methodically changing the clear fuel lines as suggested on here(he did this off his own experience).It still wouldn't go after that he then bi-passed the fuel pump and got the car running like that so he suggested a faulty primary pump.The IP apparently wasn't leaking.He replaced the primary pump...£180 from MB and the car appears to be running fine again(fingers crossed).
He did comment on a couple of things hence the post.There didn't appear to be a primary fuel filter.ie.one between the tank and the engine fuel filter,but felt there should be one.Also he said there was a thermostat on my cylinder head (under the exhaust manifold)that had been bi-passed.He said it looked like a fuel heater.They tried to reconnect it but couldn't get any fuel through it so they bi-passed it again.Does anyone have any idea what he is talking about?Is it important?
Any suggestions gratefully received as always.
Regards Rob

 

[SilverSaloon]

Eh!? no pre-filter.... sounds iffy to me...

number 8 in the diag below is the main fuel filter:

number 26 is the pre-filter.

Your car should have both. I find it hard to believe it isnt present as the housing the clear fuel lines go into need the filter there!

If the pre-filter is missing (unscrew the 2 bolts and take a look), then i suggest buy one (about a fiver)

main Filter is circled in yellow in the pic below:

I'd check under your bonnet yourself. if these are indeed present, time to swap mechanic!!!

There is also a fuel tank strainer aswell on your car (or should be anyway!)


Its possible that your car has been modified with extra heaters and filters removed etc to aid running on WVO (waste veg oil). Apart from the pre-filter missing, this could be a good thing.

Derek