Writing on behalf of my best friend...he may be able to provide me with a fuller description later...but here's my understanding.

He has a 1995 E300 diesel. Had a stalling problem. Replaced fuel filters, problem went away for a few thousand miles, then came back. Told that fuel filter feels "heavier" than it should. Then is told that the most likely cause is a corroded fuel tank and....get this...he needs to replace the ENTIRE fuel system to the tune of $4800 in parts, plus labor (this is the stealership telling him this, of course).

But I'm not getting the logic of it at all. If the fuel tank is corroded, why not, worst case scenario, simply replace the fuel tank and then frequently change the filters until all the crud is purged? Or, better still, just clean the fuel tank. Are they suggesting that somehow corrosion has "infected" the entire system? If that's even possible, is it likely?

So, as it stands, he can replace fuel filters and is fine for a few thousand miles, then problem returns. Oh, one other thing: if he allows the car to warm up for 15 minutes, he doesn't have the problem, even if he would were he not to warm it up.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

He's the one who got me into MB's in the first place...so I want to do whatever I can to get him good advice.

Thanks!

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 179k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 77k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife