"Maybe you disconnected the fuel return line???
And maybe the fuel return is plugged & causing TOO high fuel pressure."


Gentlemen,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. The fuel return line was not touched, but my initial hunch was that indeed there was too much fuel/pressure and the plugs were flooded before they had a chance to fire. Hopefully, I'll get the gauge on it this W/E and have some numbers to report.

MB DOC, my understanding is that the return line should be free flowing with a check valve at the tank connection. Would a shot of compressed air into the line (with the fuel tank filler cap opened to vent) be an acceptable test, or should I be somewhat more subtle? Any common causes to look for? Thanks again.

BTW, I was able to start and idle the car by removing the fuel pump relay, with all the fuel line connections in place. After idling for a while, oil started squirting from the PCV line, so I shut it down.


Apparently, the engine was able to run on fuel that was lingering around the injectors as well as fuel that had made its way into the crankcase.