I just purchased a '96 C220 from a bank (repo). Incredible showroom condition, only 74K miles and beneath the NADA book value. Couldn't pass it up. Well, I took delivery of it on Sunday, started the engine up (ran soooo smooth), checked all the lights, gauges, etc. then drove it 1 block to the gas station. I filled it up with regular unleaded and then drove it to the air/water station not 100 feet away.....and there it died!
It cranked very smoothly, and sometimes almost seemed like it wanted to "fire" but never did. I called the MB 24-hour hotline and the tech there ran me through some checks. I made sure the gas cap was secure, the starter shutoff relay was operational (green light on below the rear view mirror), and tried it in Neutral. Still cranked fine, but simply didn't start up.
After an hour of this, I had to get it towed to a repair shop.....so now the repair garage has had it longer than I've owned it... Still not flipping my lid since I know that MB's are very dependable cars.
Does anyone have any idea what could be the problem so the repair shop doesn't try to snowball me and my pocketbook? Actually, the bank said they would help with the repair & towing cost.

I don't think it is the source of your problem, but I believe your engine requires Premium Unleaded gasoline, not regular unleaded.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hey, it has happened before.
On the other hand, old gasoline in the tank. Junk in the gas tank that move to the fuel filter with the new gas?

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J.H.
'86 300E

This does bring up a good question...the owner's manual states to use the premium unleaded to keep from damaging the catalytic converter. Is this an accurate statement, or has others used lower grade gas without problem? How about a mid grade gas and octane booster?

Fo gasoline grade and questions of that nature.
Good luck!

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J.H.
'86 300E

By the time you buy mid grade & octane booster, you can buy premium grade & save money.
P.S. If the manual says premium, it means it.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

The major costs of owning a car are the cost of money and the cost of depreciation. The cost of fuel is not all that significant. Believe me, you should use premium and avoid the so-called supermarket stations like Costco because they use high sulfer content fuel from South America (that's why it's cheaper).

Stick with premium from name brand outlets that have a high turnover.

Hi Randy L

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

I would not mind betting that when you filled up (with whatever) it was actually water (or a significant %), there will have been enough fuel in the lines to get you to the air/water station and thats it. While within the tank you now had a layer of water to feed into the engine -it don't burn that well.

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NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

Because of the knock sensors in all MB gas engines since the mid eighties, regular will not DAMAGE the engine, but it is false economy.

Once the knock sensor detects knock the system will automatically retard ignition timing reducing power and efficiency.

Put Premium in it.

Good luck,

Sounds like the fuel pump relay went south. (202s do this as do 208's. )



Joe

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Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364

Thanks for all the inputs! After I put the regular unleaded in it, I realized what I did and (since I was stuck at the gas station) got a can of octane booster (104+) for the gas. Premium unleaded it will be from now on. I'll keep you all posted on what was found. It will be looked at today.

A lot of us here simply use regular unleaded and it has no significant effect on the engine's power or idle running. I think the regular is 92 here and the premium is only 94. Some stations do offer a higher octane to 96 or 98 I am not so sure. For Benz engines they reccomend at least 92 which means regular is ok, but 94 or higher will be even better. But is premium really necessary? I am referring to the family cars and not the AMG or SLK and CLK varieties.

It is important NOT to base your octane needs on what folks in the USA use - octane ratings differ by nationality. What is called 92 octane in the US used to be a higher number, but the basis for the ratings was changed awhile back. Find out what octane rating MB requests you use in your locale.

Steve

The octane rating of "Premium Unleaded" differs across the U.S., too.

In Southern California, premium unleaded is 91 octane. Many parts of the country get 93 or 94.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The repairman when he was troubleshooting noticed the fuel pump wasn't even operating. He isolated the problem to a faulty fuel pump relay. I should be on the road tomorrow!!!
Thanks all for the prompt replies and suggestions. While it wasn't water in the gas, etc., these are still VERY viable causes and are items anyone should check for similar problems.
In fact, I once while I was in Germany, I had BMV 528iM that got water and air in the fuel injection line. Cranked but never started...cost me $200 (1995) to have the entire fuel injection system purged and reprimed.

Randy