Help! Fuel Leak on 98 E300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

F18 · #1 12-01-2005, 01:18 PM

Just came in off the road. Noticed a puddle of Diesel in the driveway. Pulled the front splash guard and noticed dripping fuel coming down from the black gizmo on the side of the IP. Not sure what its called but two short clear fuel lines attach to it from the filter in front of it. I can't tell if the unit is cracked (is that possible?) or a line is leaking. The black unit is held to the side of the IP with two star drive screws. It looks as though I can remove it without yanking the manifold. Any tips? Is this a common problem?
Cheers,
FRED

Rick Miley · #2 12-01-2005, 02:29 PM

That's the shutoff solenoid and yes, leaking there is a common problem. It can be the O ring on the back of it, or the whole thing may be cracked. Yes, you can remove it with the 2 Torx screws without removing the intake manifold. It helps to move the washer bottle out of the way. While you're in there, you might want to replace the plastic fuel lines if they are old. The ends get very brittle and can break apart when you try to remove them from the shutoff solenoid. I have a large post on this, complete with part numbers if you want to do the whole job. Just search for "$793 fuel leak."

aklim · #3 12-01-2005, 03:29 PM

See this post

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=724516&postcount=8

Also, I would take the manifold off for cleaning at a machine shop if it is dirty. While you are at it, check the glow plugs and lube them with anti-sieze or you risk having it break off at a later date.

F18 · #4 12-01-2005, 03:46 PM

Rick....Aklim,
Thanks for the response....I did look at your previous post...interesting!
Just like you, I thought I had found the source of the problem with the retaining clips only locked to the first snap. I snapped them all the way in but I still have a pretty good leak. Most of the fuel does look to be coming from the solenoid or from the O ring around the back of it. I' ll need to make a parts run tomorrow.
Cheers,
FRED

aklim · #5 12-01-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

Rick....Aklim,
Thanks for the response....I did look at your previous post...interesting!
Just like you, I thought I had found the source of the problem with the retaining clips only locked to the first snap. I snapped them all the way in but I still have a pretty good leak. Most of the fuel does look to be coming from the solenoid or from the O ring around the back of it. I' ll need to make a parts run tomorrow.
Cheers,
FRED

You are going to probably find that you screwed up the fuel lines once you move them. Save yourself some headache and do it all.

Rick Miley · #6 12-01-2005, 04:11 PM

Those clips work backwards from the way you think they should. Push the white part in to release and pull it out to clamp down. And they can be quite difficult to pull out, too.

aklim, thanks for finding that post. I knew it was out there somewhere.

F18 · #7 12-01-2005, 05:05 PM

Rick! Thanks I just realized I was pressing in on the clips and releasing the lines. I think a photon passed through my brain in the wrong direction today!!
I'll pick up the lines and solenoid gasket tomorrow. Hopefully the solenoid itself is not cracked and causing the leak.
I am starting to appreciate the older Mercedes that I have owned....they never had so many agrevading leaks and little problems like this 98.

F18 · #8 12-02-2005, 03:44 PM

Problem solved!
Picked up the O ring gasket for the Shut Off Solenoid and just the three fuel lines that attach to the Solenoid......and presto, no more diesel puddle! Nothing else is leaking so for right now I got away cheap (~$40.00) and 20 minutes to install.
I'll change out the other lines when I need to do the glow plugs. "If it aint broke don't fix it". I'm back on the road again........
Thanks again

Rick Miley · #9 12-02-2005, 03:48 PM

Excellent! Glad to hear that it was so easily fixed. Unforutantely, mine is in the shop today to have the copper crush washers replaced in the injection pump. I didn't want to attempt it and possibly warp a $2500 pump, so it went to a pro.

nhdoc · #10 12-02-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

Problem solved!
Picked up the O ring gasket for the Shut Off Solenoid and just the three fuel lines that attach to the Solenoid......and presto, no more diesel puddle! Nothing else is leaking so for right now I got away cheap (~$40.00) and 20 minutes to install.
I'll change out the other lines when I need to do the glow plugs. "If it aint broke don't fix it". I'm back on the road again........
Thanks again

F18's '98 E300 DT with 115K is exactly the mileage mine was at when I bought it and it also had the lines and o-ring leaking. I resolved all of the leaks last January and never had to revisit the issue again. I hear people ***** and moan about the later engines and these fuel lines, but seriously, they last 7-8 years and what used to be the lifetime of an average car and so after 115K miles to spend $50-$60 on a set of fuel lines is really not too bad.

I've put about 10K miles on the car since I bought it and the problems I've had are all relatively minor ones - nothing that would ever leave me stranded in any way but more like issues that restore the car to "as new" order or just convenience issues...as such I cannot complain very much about my '98 W210 experience. Considering I could resell the car today if I wanted to and recoup my entire investment, including all of the work I have done on it after nearly a year of enjoyment puts it in a category that no other car I've owned falls into...zero after depreciation for 10,000 miles of driving. My last car, a Cadillac CTS, depreciated by $1 per mile!

F18 · #11 12-03-2005, 09:37 AM

Marty,
I retract my momentary grumble about my 98. I love the car!
The fuel lines I replaced were old and discolored so they were the originals.
This time of year, with the exteme temperature swings from 60deg.F during the day and at times to 24deg. F at night causes havac with the old O-Rings at the tips of the fuel lines and apparently the one behind the Shut Off Solenoid.
Glad It happened when it did and I got it done before the snow started flying!
Cheers,