W211 56 E350 Petrol Intermittent Starting Problems

[rsb]

Hi,

I'm a newbie MB owner and have had a Volvo V70 for that past 6 years but decided to go for a 56 (registered Jan 2007) E350 AvantGarde Estate but it's suffering from intermittent starting problems. It will occasionally start first time but the other day it took a good 20 mins or more to get going! Once it's running it's fine with no other problems.

Before getting it back to the dealer I let the guys at Mercland run their diags on it and the only reported problem was a code 0521 which apparently relates to the "Tumble Flap". I've read several articles about the problem but the dealer was adamant that this wouldn't cause the starting problems?

The dealer seems to think it's related to the fuel pump or maybe a relay that isn't sending the pump the correct signal to start.

Just wondered if any of you guys have any experience with this problem and what the cause could be?

Cheers for now

Russell

 

[Motomax]

When it struggles to start is the engine hot or cold, because I would recommend changing the crank position sensor, as this can lead to non starting. Before that I would finding out where the fuel pump relay is, and shorting two pins do that the pumps run continually.

Not an owner of a w211 currently would wait till others come and help. But from previously owning a e55 estate and currently a ml350 plus a SL320. The CPS can lead to all sorts of problems and is known to fail.

I would recommend getting a old scanner yourself as they are very useful and can save on unnecessary parts. Icarsoft is a pretty good one.

 

[rsb]

It's only done it when cold and the dealer assures me that they replaced the CPS as part of the original attempt to resolve the problem.

I'll see if I can find out where the fuel pump relay is and try what you suggested.

 

[rsb]

The dealer has just got back to me and is going to change the ECU!

Apparently some diagnostics and testing they carried out seems to suggest that this is the culprit.

We won't know until the end of this week if it solves the problem or not but I'll update the thread either way.

Cheers for now

Russell

 

[Mrhanky]

The dealer has just got back to me and is going to change the ECU!

Apparently some diagnostics and testing they carried out seems to suggest that this is the culprit.

We won't know until the end of this week if it solves the problem or not but I'll update the thread either way.

Cheers for now

Russell

I would say thanks very much but can I have my money back and here are the keys.

From experience if it's starts like this and needs a new ECU? It always ends up being a lemon.

 

[rsb]

The rest of the car seems fine (I've had it checked by a local Merc specialist) but the same thought has occurred to me but I'm not sure how I stand legally?

I seem to recall that I have to give them a chance to rectify the problem before I can ask for a full refund?

Cheers for now

Russell