help! it starts ok initially, then as soon as it warms up it'll croak! then it won't start again for maybe 30 minutes-1 hour then will start again just fine. it seems to have power coming out of the battery. read some of the other posts, - no lights on the dash coming on for the DAS, seems to have pressure on the shraeder valve thing under the motor cover. runs rough at idle. getting progressively worse. stuck me out for 3 hours the other day.sound like spark plugs or the crank position sensor? spark plugs seem a little oily around them, or at least 2 of them. no leaks detected in garage. 140k miles. horrible gas smell upon starting up.

some, actually most, of your symptoms sounded identical to a problem I had on my 1999 ML 430 @ 71,000 miles.....strong crank but no start.

New fuel pump installed (along with the new fuel filter and new fuel line configuration). there's quite a bit of documentation in the various enthusiast sites about the new fuel line configuration.

__________________
Jim

i didnt have the gas smell.
but i had no fire at times.
I replaced the filter and pump- no help-,,replaced the crankshaft position sensor ($56.00 and one bolt) and Its run flawless since.

steve 99 ML320

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

Steve: Is this part easy to replace for the average "shadetree" mechanic?

(I've installed brakes and rotors, running boards, trailer hitch, MAF, etc.)

Can you confirm the MB part or the Bosch part you used?

003 153 96 28 or ......95 28?
Bosch 0261210170?

Is a new bolt required (like on a crankshaft balancer) or were you communicating only one bolt is used to hold this part in place and its a simple job?


Since I've experienced all the kinds of problems that result in total "disability" (fuel pump failure and balancer failure), I figured I might as well replace this "known to be a problem" part during my 100,000 self maintenance.

__________________
Jim

iF YOU RUN A SEARCH HERE there is a guy who went into detail on replacement. I even had a post with picture showing the wrong sensor I bought the 1st time; they list two, one lines up wrong. I believe I wrote the part numbers in that post.
My only problem was I needed a thin deep star socket. The one I had was too thick. I found what I needed at NAPA.
It is very easy once you feel around and find it. Much easier that brake pad replacement. It is one electrical clip to take off the wire , then remove one hold down bolt.

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles