I have a few small problems with my 1991 190e 1.8 (same engine block as 2.0, 2.3) manual.
Most of them I can live with or will try to fix myself but there is one I need to sort out.
Its an intermitent hesitation when accelerating under load, occurs cold or hot and about once evry couple of days. I thought it might be the ignition but after cleaning the rotor and cap and putting in new leads its still there.
I decided it is probably fuel starvation, so I changed the fuel filter. No improvement. Also put some alcohol in the tank incase there was water in there no difference. I am now almost convinced that there is a problem with the mesh clogging inside the fuel tank and am thinking of taking it to a local specialist to have the tank drained and mesh cleaned.

Does this sound like a good idea or is there something I've missed?

I forgot to say that the fuel pump can become noisy at times and the hesitation occurs when pump is noisy. I dont think the pump is the problem but I m not going to rule it out.

Not that I want to change the subject of the thread but I would like to know if it is recomended to clean out/ flush the gas tank?

My car is about 15 years old and has 150K miles on it and I have had it about 8 years and I have never done this. Would it be recomended? I am not having any problems with fuel delivery or so forth.

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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

2006 - Suzuki Gran Vitara (2.0 L fully equipped) Like this car so far except for trying to put on the seatbelt.
1988 - 190e - 2.3L - 172K miles (It now belongs to the exwife)
1999 - Chevy Blazer LS Fully Equiped - killed it June 2006
2001 - Honda Civic EX - 68K miles (sold June 2004)
1963 - 220S - Dual Carb 6 cyl. (sold)
1994 - Yamaha WaveRaider (fun to ride)

Euronatura, I would leave things alone unless there is a problem. You might dislodge some dirt etc. I'm just thinking of draining the tank from the bottom, to actually clean it means taking the tank out of the car.

Edited-
I just read your thread about your buzzing fuel pump, did you put a new one in and if so did you notice any difference?

A buzzing fuel pump is usually an indicator of impending failure...

...while many have gone on with a noisy pump and had no problems, if your pump used to "hiss" and now "buzzes" (and you notice problems when this occurs), it just might be the pump.

On the other hand, a faulty fuel pressure regulator could malfunction and briefly "starve" the fuel pump (hence the buzzing and hesitation).

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

The more I think about it the more it seems to be the fuel pump or perhaps the relay. Unfortunately the pump is quite expensive so I've been hoping that it was something else.
I just syphoned some fuel out of the tank and it was crystal clear so I dont think theres loads of crud in there.

As for the regulator, the problem isnt brief and once the hesitations started its there until I stop the car.
I would like to get the fuel pump relay out to check the solder joints but its hard to get at behind the CPU & the ABS computer.

I feel all owners of older MB's should consider pulling their tanks for a clean..............good weekend job and not as hard as you may think.....in a w123 at least !

Link to my response to another poor running thread

Pic of the crud in my 25yr old tank..........60k miles........but had not run for 5yrs

Attached Thumbnails

 

My answer to the original question would be that it can't hurt, but the problem you are experiencing could simply be diagnosed to such a problem by watching fuel pressure during the event.

As to the mess from the other tank, it must of been a diesel. KE cars really don't take well to contamination. On many models we will pull the tank sensor and look in the tank with a light.

BTW, if you find it rusting, get a new tank.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Don't have the time to check right now, but I'm fairly sure the 1.8 is a different block to the 2.0 and 2.3.

Did you check the resistance of the rotor?

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

Thanks for the replies.

Theres an independent Mercedes Garage a few miles away that I think I might take it to. See if they can test the fuel system etc.

I dont think I've checked the rotor resistance, although I did take it out and clean it. I will check that. There is also the coil which I havent checked, but will try to measure the resistances. I've not heard of these dying though.

The engine block is the same as the 2l but with a shorter stroke I believe. Most parts are the same.

big warning to you guys about working around tanks and gas.
there is a very real danger of fire.
be super careful.
ground the car and yourself.
static electricity will set you on fire.

george

replacing the OVP relay (or the fuse that sets on top of it). Also like suggested above, take a look at the Fuel Pressure Regulator.. not that expensive to replace, but worth the try. Good Luck and let us know what you find.

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Joe95E420