W220 S320CDi starting problem

[wile_e_coyote]

Hi all,

My pride & joy, a 2000 model S320CDi with 110k on the clock is giving me a headache at the moment.

My driveway is like the north face of the Eiger and when the car has been left on it overnight, it will start but then immediately cuts out (less than 1 second actually running). It then refuses to start no matter how many times I try after that. The battery is in tip-top condition and whirls the engine over no problem.

To get it to start, I have to roll the car back down the driveway to the level road at the bottom (no mean feat without power steering or servo brakes), wait about a minute and then it starts no problem. Once started, it runs beautifully and never misses a beat.

Is there some sort of check or non return valve in the fuel supply line that could be faulty or stuck or does anyone have any other ideas as to what may be wrong?


Many Thanks in advance for any advice.

Keith

 

[fredfloggle]

Sounds like the tank pickup pipe letting in air. Obviously if you park the car round the other way you don't get grief...?

 

[television]

Common fault ans sounds like air in the system

​

, often just a matter of replacing some O rings in the connections.

You can possibly see the bubbles in the pipe

 

[BlackC55]

The "O" rings often do not sort the problem out and the cost of the pipes is not all that much anyway.

It does sound like an air leak problem.

 

[wile_e_coyote]

Thanks for the replies.

Armed with my new found knowledge, I'll see if I can fix it before it fixes me!

Keith

 

[BlackC55]

If you get the pipes make sure you get the clips that hold the pipes under the fuel pump as well as these often get brittle and break.

 

[mr. shr]

Common fault ans sounds like air in the system

​

, often just a matter of replacing some O rings in the connections.

You can possibly see the bubbles in the pipe

Any chance of a link to the Russian EPC showing the pipes you mean, please? (I'm just interested in case it happens to me).

 

[BlackC55]

It wont as you have a petrol.

 

[mr. shr]

It wont as you have a petrol.

I feel like such a peasant sometimes when I come on here!!
Thanks for putting me straight.

 

[BlackC55]

No problem peasant....lol

 

[wile_e_coyote]

Any chance of a link to the Russian EPC showing the pipes you mean, please? (with thanks to Mr. Shr) or how do I get a copy of the EPC?

Thanks again.

Keith

 

[wile_e_coyote]

It's OK - I've found it :

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=220026&M=613%2E960&GA=722%2E626&CT=F&cat=66H&SID=47&SGR=040&SGN=04

Keith

 

[wile_e_coyote]

When I took off the engine covers, it was clear that diesel had been escaping from the flow & return connectors where they enter the injection pump and if diesel can leak out, then air must be able to leak in under the right circumstances. I decided to renew just the seals as the pipes looked in good order, so I went to the stealership for them (£1.41 for two inc vat). Fitted them, left the car overnight on the (very steep) driveway and hey presto - it started this morning no problems.

I'd just like to say thanks for the help & advice as I am sure if this had gone into a dealers, I would be looking at a lot more than £ 1.41

Cheers

Keith

 

[mr. shr]

Think you'd have to move the decimal point a couple of places to the right and then double it!!

Glad you got it all sorted.