Yes, it is.

Can you tell me, where are the coils?

Behind the driver side headlight bucket down low. Just follow the coil wires from the distributors back to the coils.

I think it's gonna turn out to be something caused by the ASR system or something that the ASR interacts with.
Regards, Eric

I hadn't noticed this before, but the asr light came on very briefly when I was accelerating yesterday.

The problem is it could be any of 15 things that all cost alot. I've had the three best shops in town look at it and they can't figure it out, hence my other post - "sell, part out or burn?" (or something like that).

Jkazzoun,

I had similar symptoms with '95 E420 - bogging down during acceleration - symptoms got worse over time. While I don't assume your problem is same as mine was...the solution was easy & inexpensive, so you might want to check.

Fuel Filter. Even though pressure was within spec during idle - measured at fuel rail. Upon acceleration, insufficient "flow" getting to the rail & thus injectors. I even picked up a few codes (I seem to remember...maybe wrong about this though) that led me astray in my diagnosing process.

Anyway, same sypmtoms you're describing. I replaced the fuel filter...and it was like a new car. Interestingly, the filter wasn't old - a baffle/plate inside had dislodged partially blocking the outlet path.

You may have a fuel line restriction. Not necessarily at the filter.

Can you check fuel pressure at the rail - both at idle and then upon acceleration?

They checked fuel line pressure (they even checked the fuel, went into the tank and check for sediment, etc.).

I'm not sure where they checked. Where is 'the rail'? At the injector rail?

Where is the fuel filter on this? Is it easy, hard? I'm not a big DIY guy on this car (though I did change out the ETA myself, main wire harness too...). Not as easy to find things for me as the '85 FJ60 Landcruiser I have...:eek:

Just confirmed, they checked at rail, it was fine.

Joe,

FJ60, huh? A friend of mine has one - it's eating him alive! I have a 2000 Landcruiser - just put a center differential/transfer case, and a half axle in, over the past 2 weeks. Did it all myself. I've been thinking about getting an older Cruiser - cuz I spend time on Ih8mud site. I imagine you go to that forum?

Anyway, about the rails: Yes, you got it. At the fuel rails - the 1/4 SAE connection. But let me tell you my experience: I was checking the fuel pressure at that point, during idle. Pressure was within spec. But the minute I tried to accelerate - the car would bog down. After weeks of trying different diagnoses (what's the plural of diagnosis?)...all to no avail...I decided to change the fuel filter. I'm serious - it was like a different car. It was the problem = a "partial" blockage in the fuel line system. Enough gas was getting to the fuel rail (and thus the injectors) under idle...but when the engine was using more gas...it (gas) wasn't being replenished fast enough.

So, while I'm not saying your problem is the necessarily the filter...it still might be a partial blockage in the fuel line. You're getting enough gas during idle so that the pressure reads fine at the rail - but not enough when accelerating.

The filter on your car is underneath - right in front of the passenger side rear wheel. There's a black plastic cover - protects/covers the fuel pump and the filter. There's about 6 plastic nuts holding the cover on. Between the pump and the filter there is a short run of fuel line - makes a 90 degree bend. You might want to look and make sure it's not kinked or anything.

Like I said, this might not be your problem. But it was definitely my problem and was a cheap fix compared to some of the electronic stuff you've been looking into.

Thanks for that. I'll go a head and replace it, just because. It's cheap and worth a try.

RE: FJ60 - Eating him alive? Is he modifying it? You could buy a new tranny for the thing for the price of a couple of modules for a M119-124. I also have two MB's and a BMW and the 25 YO Landcruiser is the one I know will be reiliable. Plus it's got no power windows, no climate control, no cruise control and a carb. God forbid I should own my 530xiT in 5 years when the warranty is up. Talk about eating someone alive. Wonder what an iDrive costs to replace?

I am betting on Bad Fuel!


El Sea,

Suckin Sludge & Havin a Gas

Mmmm, no. The car has been through multiple tanks with this problem. And, the fuel was tested, fuel sending unit was tested, they went into the tank too and checked it out visually for sludge, etc.

Bad fuel was one of their mechanics first guess, so not a bad one.

Joe,

My friend and the FJ60: No, he's not modifying it - just trying to get it to run for more than 10 miles without breaking down. He lives in an apartment complex and they won't let him work on it in the parking lot - so he's forced to use a shop. And it's been in the shop for more than 8 months now.

Good luck with your E420. Mine frustrated the crap out of me whenever it wouldn't run. But whenever I finally managed to fix it (and I've been through 3 or 4 issues)...I always remember why I like it the minute I drive it. Best driving car I've ever owned. (Better than my Mustang, and it's more than 10 years older than the Mustang).

Oh, and if you can replace your own ETA and wiring harness (you mentioned you did)...then you can change your fuel filter with your eyes closed. Not a real technical job - just a pain in the butt getting under the car.

I'm going to overnight the E-GAS module to 4Mercedes. They say they can test it there. If it's bad, I'll buy a used one.

If it's not bad, I'll change the fuel filter, burn some incense, pray, drink a bottle of tequila in a sitting, eat a cheeseburger, do ten pushups and other things I am sure will bring positive change to my life.

A buddhist approach to car mechanics. I like it.

Buddhists eat cheeseburgers?