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  #1  
Old 04-05-2006, 09:02 AM
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Unhappy 98 E300DT Fuel Problems

I am new to this forum, so I appologize in advance if I make any protocol mistakes. I have what I imagine is a few fairly common problems with my 98
E300 Turbo Diesel.

The car has occasionally leaked fuel which spots on the ground near the front, passanger side of the engine. Three times when parked on a slight incline (nose up) the car has failed to start. Long cranking has gotten it to fire followed by lots of black smoke (this clear quickly).

At cruising spead (1800-2500rpm) the car hesitates upon light throttle pressure then puffs a little smoke (blue-white). It runs great under hard acceleration or highway speed.

I've had the following work completed in the past three months. Fuel filters and air filters replaced; fuel shut-off switch replaced (thought to be the source of the leak), and one plastic fuel line replaced (was slightly cracked, found after the shut-off replacement).

I am not mechanical, but have owned several older cars, so I've picked up a basic understanding through various repairs.

Right now the leak seems to be fixed, but the car is really stumbling along at the speeds mentioned. I'm hoping all three symptoms are related to the same problem.

Can anyone suggest the next logical thing to check. I have a good independant mechanic in town, but he does not specialize in diesels. Does anyone have a recommendation of a good Mercedes shop in Northern Michigan. I love this car, but right now its bannished from the garage. Not to mention, the enjoyment of all its MB traits is greatly deminished by the contant stumbling.

Thank you in advance for the help. This forum has been a great resource.

ab

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  #2  
Old 04-05-2006, 12:27 PM
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Firstly, read the thread here for more info on your fuel lines. I would check the car while it is running to see if the lines are bubbling around at higher RPMs. The hose might be letting air in. If that fails, I would check the injectors to see if they are spraying correctly. Send it to a diesel shop. How many miles?
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  #3  
Old 04-05-2006, 01:25 PM
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Check under the black plastic cover that covers the injectors. You may have some leaks there from the injector hoses. I would also raise the vehicle, remove the belly cover and inspect for leaks. The engine may need a good injector cleaner if the injector tips are clogged with carbon. The 98 has a different intake manifold from mine, but inside mine there are several flaps that may stick and cause hesitation and the check engine light. It's good to clean and lube them every now and then.
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  #4  
Old 04-05-2006, 05:56 PM
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Their are no fuel lines on the pass side of that car. But their are plastic panals under the engine so fuel leaking from above can come out in strange places.

As sudjested above the most likely problem are those plastic fuel lines. With the car running see if you can see any bubbles in them. If so replace all of them. If you touch them they will leak.

Also remove the plastice cover over the injectors and see if any of the injector's are leaking fuel from the return lines.
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  #5  
Old 04-05-2006, 07:15 PM
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U seem to have the classic fuel line problem. If u the fuel lines have nevr been replaced, I would suggest u replace all of them. It is a dealer item, and don't forget to replace the washers.

The fuel leaks is causing air to get into the fuel lines and hence the difficulty in starting .

Good luck !
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  #6  
Old 04-05-2006, 08:50 PM
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Fueling problem

Thank to everyone for the quick replies, and I'll have my indpendant check the injectors as well. He doesn't do much diesel work, but I assume this is fairly simple for a good mechanic.

The hesitation has really become annoying, so I hope to get it fixed quickly. I'm glad no one mentioned an injector pump as a likely cause. I really don't feel like paying for something that major right now (or ever).

The car has 74,500 miles on it, and is otherwise in great shape. I will let the forum know what the final verdict is.

Thanks again,

ab
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  #7  
Old 04-05-2006, 09:21 PM
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Replacing all of the plastic fuel lines is just good to do. With the manifold off clean the egr valve inside the intake. Also check the pressure converters for the wastegate and egr. I believe they are the same.

I once bypassed my pressure converter to the egr and put the vacuum line to directly to it having it open the whole time. I did not get 20 ft before I put it back. It hesitated and coughed smoke like crazy. If the egr is hesitating so might the car.
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  #8  
Old 04-05-2006, 10:20 PM
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Agree with above posts. Here are some past links on this type of issue for reading pleasure. And they kindly include parts lists and numbers, very nice.
99 e300td injector pump leak
'95 E300 Diesel fuel leak @ shutoff valve
$793 fuel leak on E300
99 e300td injector pump leak
air in the lines 606 turbo

Also, if needed check the "Good Shops" tab at the top of screen and look for shops in your state or area, if your indy is not comfortable with the diesel.
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  #9  
Old 04-05-2006, 10:24 PM
ncof300d
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There are numerous fuel lines on these cars; the lines are connected with snap-on retainers and sealed using o-rings. I had this problem last November. I replaced all on the lines with new o-rings, but that was not the problem. The problem was the o-ring at the fuel shut-off block that is mounted to the engine head. If you need to just change the o-rings on the lines it can be done if you are very, very careful not to break the plastic retaining clips. Here are the o-ring sizes:

Line seal o-ring - 13mm ODx8mm IDx2.5mm thick
Shut-off Valve seal o-ring - 17mm ODx12mm IDx2.5mm thick

If you want to replace everything (which I did) contact Phil at this site for parts. Just tell Phil that you want to replace your fuel lines seals and you VIN and he will put together a parts list. If you just replace the o-ring on the fuel shut-off you will not need to remove the intake manifold. If you change all of the o-rings you will need to remove the intake, therefore you will need a new intake gasket. The intake takes some time and patience, but is not necessarily difficult. I would look to the fuel shut-off seal first because it is exposed to direct engine heat which helps shorten the life of the o-ring. Mine had a very, very fine crack, but that is all that it takes.
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  #10  
Old 04-05-2006, 10:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 98E300DieselAB
Thank to everyone for the quick replies, and I'll have my indpendant check the injectors as well. He doesn't do much diesel work, but I assume this is fairly simple for a good mechanic.

The hesitation has really become annoying, so I hope to get it fixed quickly. I'm glad no one mentioned an injector pump as a likely cause. I really don't feel like paying for something that major right now (or ever).

The car has 74,500 miles on it, and is otherwise in great shape. I will let the forum know what the final verdict is.

Thanks again,

ab
Ab, he cannot do zip for your injectors. Take them out and bring them to a diesel shop where they have proper testers to see what it does. The injectors are not electrically actuated. So, he will have to have it spray somewhere where he can see what it is doing, measure the volume and see spray pattern and check the pop off pressure. If he is not that familiar with diesels, he probably won't have all the equipment. Get a Bosch shop to check the injectors after you change the fuel hoses and it doesn't cure the problem. FWIW, I have 103K and my injectors are not showing those symptoms but sometime I will take them out for a checkup.
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  #11  
Old 04-06-2006, 01:21 PM
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I just replaced the o-rings on my plastic lines without replacing the lines themselves. There's no need to replace them unless they are the problem. I did have to replace the entire shut-off valve because it was leaking from a crack in the plastic.
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  #12  
Old 04-06-2006, 02:29 PM
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Sounds like you need more fuel lines replaced. Hesitation and surging can be the result of sucking in air at the leaky spots while running. BTDT. Everyone else with this engine - including me - replaced all the lines. Definately have your mech check everything, including injectors, injector return, pump, etc. It is not actually all that difficult to pull the intake manifold on this car to check it all out.

FWIW my parents had quite good service from the dealer in Acme. Can't vouch for their diesel expertise, but they kept dad's w140 in top shape.

I'll be passing through Harbor Springs on a bicycle tour this summer. Will be sure to wave on the way by.

- JimY
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  #13  
Old 04-06-2006, 08:09 PM
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Also check that the fuel filter is screwed on correctly. If the seal isn't good, you'll get air in there as well. Its easy to check, just undo the big nut and pull it out.

Check the pre-filter as well, its right next to the main fuel filter. Make sure its not clogged.

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