E300TD '98 runs out of fuel at Qtr Tank - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dallasdonnie · #1 12-13-2004, 03:30 PM

Please help. '98 E300td when it hits quarter of a tank the car acts as if it is out of fuel. Will not start. Fuel Filters, Full and pre, have been replaced getting the tank filter replaced now and the tank flushed. Mechanic tells me guage is fine. Fuel didn't appear to have a lot of sludge. Any ideas would be great. Thanks, Donnie

Rick Miley · #2 12-13-2004, 04:35 PM

First, we need to clarify something. Was it running and quit? Or did you shut it down and it won't restart?

If the latter, then you could have a leaky plastic fuel line or shutoff solenoid. Either will allow air to leak in and the fuel to drain back to the tank. The fuel pump is mechanical and there is no separate primer pump, so the only way to get it reprimed is to crank it with the starter until the fuel arrives. When mine was leaking, it took one or two 30 second sessions with the starter to get it started.

If you have an inclined driveway, try parking nose down and see if that makes a difference.

dallasdonnie · #3 12-13-2004, 04:41 PM

Actually it happened both ways. Once on the freeway, just stopped and the second time was in my garage. I'll get the mechanic to check.
Thanks

TonyFromWestOz · #4 12-14-2004, 08:31 AM

With the 1/4 tank, get under the tank and remove the fuel delivery hose. If it flows well, the tank strainer is OK. Measure thevolume of fuel that drains out. Thet will tell you how far out the gauge sender is.
If you only get < 2-3 litres, the gauge is faulty and can be cleaned or replaced.

aklim · #5 12-14-2004, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyFromWestOz

With the 1/4 tank, get under the tank and remove the fuel delivery hose. If it flows well, the tank strainer is OK. Measure thevolume of fuel that drains out. Thet will tell you how far out the gauge sender is.
If you only get < 2-3 litres, the gauge is faulty and can be cleaned or replaced.

Can you put stuff in there that will keep the sensor clean?

pberku · #6 12-14-2004, 09:53 AM

Make sure that it's really out of fuel. Next time this happens, fill it up ALL THE WAY, and see if it accepts the maximum amount that you fuel tank is specified to hold. If not, than it was not out of fuel, and your problem is elsewhere.

If it really was out of fuel, than your fuel gauge, or the sender is inaccurate.

Phil

TonyFromWestOz · #7 12-14-2004, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Can you put stuff in there that will keep the sensor clean?

It has been suggested that biodiesel will clean the sender. I had a problem with an intermittent sended on an '80 300D and after the first tank of B100 the gauge stopped flickering up/down. It actually read the correct level.

dallasdonnie · #8 12-14-2004, 01:08 PM

Thanks for lots of suggestions. We did drain it and the guage is accurate. The strainer was replaced. all connections look good. It is running again. But very concerned this may happen again.

pberku · #9 12-14-2004, 03:13 PM

Something else to consider. I am not sure how the fuel tank is mounted in your particular car, but if somehow it got dented, than its volume will be less than specified, and your readings will end-up being inaccurate.

This is a common occurrence on cars whose fuel tank forms the bottom of the trunk and is susceptible to road hazards. As I said, I am not sure where the fuel tank sits in your particular car, buts its still worth a visual inspection.

Phil

aklim · #10 12-14-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallasdonnie

Thanks for lots of suggestions. We did drain it and the guage is accurate. The strainer was replaced. all connections look good. It is running again. But very concerned this may happen again.

How do you get to the strainer? I have a 99 and I haven't seen it yet or even know what to look out for. I have had the fuel filter and the pre-filter changed but didn't know about the strainer.

dallasdonnie · #11 12-17-2004, 08:40 AM

Sorry, wasn't privy to that. My mechanic simply told me he did.

dallasdonnie · #12 02-14-2005, 01:46 PM

I also discovered a diesel leak around the auto shutoff valve. To fix this: "O" rings were replaced and the auto shutoff valve. Once this was done no more low fuel issues. Must have been a vaccuum issue and the old O rings let too much air in.

michakaveli · #13 02-14-2005, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallasdonnie

I also discovered a diesel leak around the auto shutoff valve. To fix this: "O" rings were replaced and the auto shutoff valve. Once this was done no more low fuel issues. Must have been a vaccuum issue and the old O rings let too much air in.

Maybe I'll have to get on my dads soon as he also has a fuel leak, about just over half the tank it leaks all over the ground. under half tank she does well

Apparently from the fuel shutoff valve as well