W124 intermittent starting

[Boycie1]

Hi all
First post probably of many, my 1990 230E auto for the last couple of months has gradually been failing to start. On the button as it has for the last 15 years. If it does'nt Fire first time it normally will not at all. Now on my 3rd mechanic who is on the ball with old Mercs. He has done all the normal checks and pinned the problem down to fuel pressure but unfortunatly he lent his pressure gauges out to someone last year but never got them back.
At first he thought it was the ovp relay as it "rattled ", changed it no difference, he then tried a new pump relay because when he removed it and bypassed the relay sending 12v directly to the pump it started every time.because the system is primed but with the new relay in still doesn't start.fortunatly he could return it.
This is where he needs the gauges to pinpoint wether it might be the pump, which was changed about 5 years ago, the regulator or whatever, it's now starting to go over my head
I would be eternally grateful for any ideas or who knows anyone who might have the appropriate gauges in the Romford Essex area.under pressure now from the wife to scrap it but I love the old girl....and the wife...thanks for listening

 

[John Jones Jr]

Do yourself a big favour and visit an M-B specialist that knows Bosch KE-Jetronic. Or else buy your mechanic a set of F/press gauges and deduct it from his bill.

 

[Mike Walker]

Give Mike at MB Medway a call on 01634813322. Tell him I sent you. Is not too far from you in Rochester.
Good luck.

 

[Boycie1]

Thanks Mike
Looking for somewhere a bit closer as its a bit of a trot if I have to leave the car there but. I will certainly phone him

 

[anfieldassasin]

Give Bill a call he's an ex MB tech (old skool) has a yard full of the older MBs. Based in bilaricay Essex tel 07960 882225

 

[trapperjohn]

Check for refugees under bonnet.

 

[grober]

The fuel pump relay is 2 stage- stage one - primes the system -stage two -needs an engine running signal to continue to pump fuel- its a safety measure in a crash. If the fuel pump relay isn't getting the run signal it won't stay locked in and the fuel pump wont continue to supply fuel. Is your tachometer OK?

 

[Boycie1]

Thanks all
Found another local MB mechanic who is confident he can cure the problem, goes in on Monday. Grober the taco is ok but I will mention about the duel function of the fuel pump to him! All phone numbers are noted thanks, keep you updated

 

[Boycie1]

Hi all
Just to let you know I finally found a guy with a set of gauges and he pinned it down to an intermitant fuel pump although at first he thought it could be electrical as he found an original factory fitted alarm which was disconnected, the first he had seen in 30 years of working on w124's, he reconnected it and it started first time all day , but purely coincidence. He then thought it might be the fuel distributer 'cos of strange readings on the gauges. He gave me the choice of him fitting a pucker Merc pump or take it elsewhere for a "cheapie" which quiet impressed me!he did a few extra tweaks and it running like a dream again......till the next time

Thanks all for your interest. boycie1

 

[optimusprime]

Nice one Boycie now you can enjoy it .

 

[Rustywhiskers]

Hi. Has this totally solved your starting problem.. Ours starts when it feels like it then wont start for a week... Changed almost everything except the fuel pump... Be interested to know. Thanks

 

[optimusprime]

Check for refugees under bonnet.

Like this one