Hi,
Help please. I am trying to replace the fuel pressure regulator in my 98 S420. I removed the hose attached to it. How do I get it off, I tried to pry it off but no luck. Please help. Thanks
smk_texas

You need a pair of internal snap-ring pliers.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
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Retired Moderator

Thanks very much MBDOC. I bought one from O'Reillys for about $12.00 here locally. I was able to pull that snap ring out and it didn't take more than 5 minutes after that. The neat thing was that the new fuel pressure regulator resolved the hard starting problem I had. Thanks again.

smk_texas

My wife’s S420 has 112K miles and developed a problem a few weeks ago. When the car was cold it started easily, and she could drive it without any problems. But when she stopped and turned the engine off for a few minutes, and the engine was still warm, it would start with hesitation then immediately stall when put into gear. After starting and stalling a few times, it would not start at all until the engine cooled down for a half-hour or so.

In trying to diagnose the problem I noticed that there was a lot of pressure built up in the fuel tank and there was a loud “whoosh” when I removed the gas cap. With that as a clue, I started searching for these symptoms and found some links on the mercedesshop forums:

98 S420 (W140) Hard starting

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/135594-how-remove-fuel-pressure-regulator-frm-98-s420-post997557.html?highlight=s420+fuel+pressure#post997557

According to these postings, the Fuel Pressure Regulator was the suspected cause of the problem. I found a drawing of the assembly and I am including it as an attachment to this message.

I purchased a replacement part online

To replace the regulator I removed the right-side air filter assembly. I don’t know if it matters but I also removed the gas cap to release the air pressure in the fuel tank.

Facing the front of the car, the Fuel Pressure Regulator is located at the right rear of the engine compartment. I removed the rubber hose. Then I used snap-ring pliers and a metal pick to remove the circle clip. I had to use regular pliers to ease the old regulator out.

I cleaned the surfaces with a Q-tip, then inserted the new regulator. I had trouble seating the new regulator into the housing so I gently applied pressure with a C-clamp, cushioning the C-clamp where it touched the regulator with a rubber washer. Then I replaced the circle clip using the snap-ring pliers. I reconnected the rubber hose.

Before replacing the air filter assembly I started the engine and checked for fuel leaks or other problems. Everything looked OK so I let it run for 20 minutes until it was warm. I turned the engine off and let it sit for 10 minutes and then restarted it. There was a slight hesitation but it did not stall when I put it in gear. I replaced the air filter assembly and cleaned up.

Later I drove the car on several short errands and it never stalled or hesitated when restarting. My wife has also driven it without any problems. It seems like the problem has been resolved.

Thanks to smk_texas, JimF, A. Rosich, and M.B.DOC for their prior postings on this problem.

Attached are photos showing the location of the Fuel Pressure Regulator and the tools used to replace it.

Attached Thumbnails

         

Very nice first post. We're now going to expect them to all be this good.

Thanks for the post. I'm still on my original fuel pressure regulator, but I think I may change it, just for preventative maintenance. Looks like a straight-forward job.

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1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

Tnx for the nice writup and pics . . s/b a sticky??

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Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

Was there any residual pressure to worry about when replacing the regulator? Do I have to bleed off? Does it just pop straight up? Thanks in advanced!

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1996 E320- 18" Chrome AMG, Bling Bling Mirrors

Hello Gmcosta,

There was very little residual pressure. I loosened the gas cap before I changed the FPR. You will see some gas (very little) spill over when you unplug the hose from the FPR. Just spread a rag or something around the FPR. Should take no more than 15 minutes to change it out. Thanks

smk_texas
03 ML500 86k
98 S420 86k
95 e300d 320k

Well I did replace the FPR, it was quite easy. The hard part was trying to take off the clip ring. After replacing the FPR I was hoping to get rid of the hesistation/ hiccup when accelerating but unfortunately it was still there. Oh well, at least I learned something new today. Thanks again to all here sharing information.

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1996 E320- 18" Chrome AMG, Bling Bling Mirrors