I have an interesting and puzzling fuel issue. 98 E300 D. When the fuel level is low, (1/4) tank or less, and not necessarily with the low level light on yet, I sometimes can't start engine without excessive cranking, perhaps up to 2 minutes.

The first time this happened was when I was having A/C serviced. After they replaced the compressor and lowered the car down on the lift it wouldn't start without excessive cranking. The tech said I shouldn't ever run the car down to the low level light. Never had this problem till then.

Well it happened again today when I went to start after sitting overnight. Not even in the low fuel warning, but in the last quarter. I have driven the car down to low fuel warning on occasions and it runs fine even with the light on for 20 or so miles until fill up. There are no leaks anywhere that I can see.

Last night I did park the car slightly nose up. Why would it seem that fuel tank level brings on this problem? What should I look for?