Newbie here - '98 W210 E300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dukegrad98 · #1 03-31-2007, 11:57 PM

Greetings, folks -- I'm new on the block and just wanted to pop in and say hello. Yesterday I purchased a 1998 E300 Turbodiesel with 173,000 miles on the clock. It's had a lot of work (new water pump, new injection pump, new fuel lines in the engine bay, etc.) in the last year or so, and is in decent shape for a car nearly 10 years old. I flew and drove it 300 miles home without incident.

The MIL is currently lit. My OBD-II code reader shows that there's a malfunction in the glowplug heating system -- I forget the exact code at the moment. The dealer just replaced the glowplug control module, and is sending me a set of six new glowplugs at no cost. I'm doing the research on how much work it will be to install those myself. No other codes come out of the computer.

I've had plenty of performance-oriented gas cars in the past, and built a kit/replica car a few years ago, but this is my first experiment with diesel. I filled up with a tank of B99 today, and already noticed less clatter at idle and a smoother run to the engine. I've got a spare spin-on fuel filter and wrench in the trunk, in case all that solvent breaks loose old grime and stalls me out. Eventually I'd like to do an SVO/WVO two-tank system, but not for a couple of weeks -- gotta shake out the bugs here first.

Anyway, thanks for having me in the club -- I look forward to doing a lot of learning with my latest project car!

Cheers, John

PS -- One quick question! There's what looks like a cloth-wrapped fuel line that runs up under the head cover, to the left of the intake manifold if you're facing the engine bay. I hear this is a weak point and should be replaced, especially when running biodiesel for the first time. Can someone tell me the tube sizes or part numbers? Viton, I presume? Thanks!

Bio300TDTdriver · #2 04-01-2007, 01:04 AM

I wouldn't bother changing any fuel lines. Wait until they weep and change them then. I've been burning B-99 for a year and a half and the lines are still fine. You may want to change your filter(s) after a couple tank fulls. Biodiesel is a good solvent and will loosen up any petroleum deposits in the tank and lines.
Chris

TMAllison · #3 04-01-2007, 02:47 AM

Welcome.

If your code was PO380 "circut A malfunction" it can prob be ignored. It comes on when the ECU see's that the GP's were cold when started or start was attempted; oftentimes happens when someone who doesnt know it is a diesel jumps in and turns the key. If that was the case, it will clear itself after the 3rd cold start with no repeat occurence.

The fuel lines are plastic, not rubber and are not affected by bio. O-ring seals on each end of the fuel line are another matter.

Search here and read up on R&R'ing 606 GP's. Is not w/o risk! They have a habit of siezing and snapping off in the head. I personaly would only replace one that I "knew for certain" was bad.

Robert W. Roe · #4 04-01-2007, 03:00 AM

Did you purchase the car from a dealer?
If so I would consider having them replace the glowplugs, just in case something does go wrong... but that's just me.

POS · #5 04-01-2007, 09:25 AM

Nice looking car!

michakaveli · #6 04-01-2007, 10:44 AM

Me likes the CLS wheels up on thurrr...

aklim · #7 04-01-2007, 11:20 AM

Put anit-sieze on the GPs when you put them in. Just on the threads not the tips.

aklim · #8 04-01-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

The fuel lines are plastic, not rubber and are not affected by bio. O-ring seals on each end of the fuel line are another matter.

Search here and read up on R&R'ing 606 GP's. Is not w/o risk! They have a habit of siezing and snapping off in the head. I personaly would only replace one that I "knew for certain" was bad.

What about the return lines? Those are rubber, IIRC.

Well, if as many things as he said has been fixed, perhaps they are loose. In any case, if you can get them out now, I would before they seize up. Today it might be difficult. Tomorrow it might be stuck.

TMAllison · #9 04-01-2007, 11:59 AM

I didn't see the photos until this morning....the braided line you are referring to are the "return lines". The white line you have is more resistant than the old black line. You need 1.2 meters to replace them. Best to use MB material.

Mine are OEM and have seen lots of B99 as have many others here. They dont need to be repalced unless they are weeping or cracked IMO.

aklim · #10 04-01-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

I didn't see the photos until this morning....the braided line you are referring to are the "return lines". The white line you have is more resistant than the old black line. You need 1.2 meters to replace them. Best to use MB material.

Mine are OEM and have seen lots of B99 as have many others here. They dont need to be repalced unless they are weeping or cracked IMO.

I never had the old black line. Mine were always plastic when I got the car so I don't know. Also the final injector has a "stopper" in a section of line. If you were replacing it, get that too. Best use MB material.

I replace them if I have taken them out. I suppose you could get around it if there was enough slack to cut off the ends. I think those should only be replaced if you have taken them out or like you said, weeping or cracked. Basically a PRN replacement item since they don't hold pressure and are easy to get to.

Matt L · #11 04-01-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I never had the old black line. Mine were always plastic when I got the car so I don't know.

He's talking about the black lines used in older cars.

dukegrad98 · #12 04-01-2007, 09:32 PM

Yes, the return line -- that's right. The engine bay fuel lines are mostly black and rigid, though there are some translucent fuel lines around the spin-on filter. The white-cotton-wrapped one is the one I was referencing. I appreciate the advice, and guess I'll stick with the "don't fix it till it's broke" mentality.

The last (gas) engine I built up used a high-pressure returnless fuel injection system. Had kind of forgotten about return lines to the tank.

Couldn't you just loop the return back into the fuel feed? Would keep the diesel warmer, at least...

Cheers, John

aklim · #13 04-01-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukegrad98

Couldn't you just loop the return back into the fuel feed? Would keep the diesel warmer, at least...

Cheers, John

The fuel already gets warmed up in what they call the "thermostat" IIRC before it goes into the filters and IP. It is basically a small radiator soaking in coolant

aznlegend · #14 04-03-2007, 05:19 PM

I have a 98 E300. Can you run it on B99 without any mods to the engine?

What are the pros\cons of running B99?

Carleton Hughes · #15 04-03-2007, 05:26 PM

Welcome.
I have the same car.At 150k I replaced ALL the plastic fuel lines,O rings and the fuel return lines,the failure of 2 was causing fuel to puddle around the injectors,not to mention the rough running due to worn and hardened O rings.
One can only expect so much life out of plastic and rubber.