New clue to hard starting problem

Still dealing with hard starting of my 300E. Thought it was a fuel pressure related problem but my shop wants $175.00 to check fuel pressure, I think not. Anyways the new info is that if I ever so lightly touch the gas when trying to start away she goes, not 100% perfect but very close. This is kind of making me rule out a fuel ressure problem until i can find a less costly shop or find the tools to do it myself. Anybody have any ideas as to how this would help it start better.

[mbe32094]

My E320 had the same problem before. I replaced the pressure regulator and the hard starting problem is gone. You can do it youself. The pressure regulator costs only around $40.00. You need a locking ring remover/compressor to do the job.

[haasman]

Spencer

Just a thought in reading your post ....

Have you looked at your flow sensor. Someone had posted something about making sure it was clean. They carefully and gently cleaned off the accumulated dirt and I believe it helped with their starting problems ....

Haasman

Thanks for your input guys, my wife informed me that she switched gas companies, from Shell to Esso and ever since she has done that the problem is almost non existent. Has anyone else seen these differences with where they fill up?

I just went through this, sort of, my self.

My guess is that it could be one or more of the following
- fuel pump relay
- fuel pump
- fuel filter
- pressure regulator
- maybe fuel injectors

I do think it is possible to get "bad gas".

my ordeal is found here:

intermittent no starting 420SEL