W210 Starting Problems

[harn1146]

I have a 2000 year E 320cdi which is experiencing irratic starting problems. The starter motor tends not to disengage. When I eventually get it going it is accompanied occassionally by lack of power and on some occassions it threatens to stall. My mechanic initially changed the starter and diagnostics have thrown up a crank sensor faul which has also now been replaced but the problems still exist.

It has been suggested to me that fuel pressure may be the problem - has anyone experienced similar problems or know what this might be?

 

[DrNick]

Don't know if it applies on the CDI engines, but the older ones were prone to getting air leaks in the low pressure side of the fuel system, resulting in a lack of interest in starting until all the air had been purged. Tell tale signs were air bubbles in the clear pipes leading to the fuel filter.

 

[harn1146]

Thanks. Doing some checks this week which will hopefully throw some light on the situation. It does actually start but the starter motor keeps going even though the key has sprung back to the 'on' position.