Hi All. I'm considering the purchase of a 'needy' 97 E300, non-turbo. Several things need attention on the car, but the one thing that concerns me most is a starting problem. If the car is parked on level ground, or facing downhill, it will start fine. If it is parked facing uphill at any level, it won't start. I've done some searching, and there does appear to be some occurances of injection pump failure. The questions: How expensive are the injection pumps, and/or are they rebuildable by mere mortals? Also, the odd starting problem would seem to indicate either a check-valve problem or similar. Is there any common problems like this? Also, what things on the car are the most common problems?

Thanks for your patience in answering a newbie post,

-Darryl

I'd be leery of a "needy" Mercedes of any kind. They do not do well with deferred or skipped maintenance. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes. Your starting problem sounds like a fuel problem. It is common for leaks to develop and air to get into the fuel lines causing hard starting issues. When your car is parked uphill it might allow air into the lines letting the fuel drain back into the tank.

Len
'99 E300TD 95,000 miles

Facing down hill there may be sufficient fuel flow/pressure to create a minor leak/weap from one of the fuel lines rather than allowing air to ente the system. Parked uphill air may enter more easily resulting in hard or no starts.

A strong flashlight and search for leaking fuel at the fuel lines, IP seals and fuel cutoff solenoid on the side of the IP is needed.

Hopefully one of those locations shows fuel as all of them are relatively easy DIY repairs.

A rebuilt IP is north of $3,000 I believe. I dont rememebr anyone on the forum bragging that they had rebuilt thier own.....?

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I'd agree with Len - sounds more like air getting into the plastic fuel delivery lines than a bad IP. These cars need quite a bit of attention but are fun to drive when everything is in working order. Make sure the sunroof fully retracts if it has one. Check out this wiki page for more information on common issues.

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Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

Thanks for all the input. Seems like the most likely candidate for the starting problem is the fuel lines and o-rings, which don't sound like too big a deal. The glow plugs have been recently replaced, and there is no service engine soon light. The car does drive straight. The Wiki indicates that a front spring perch may be a potential problem. Is that common, or even repairable? Sounds like a nasty issue.

BTW, I'm not new to diesels, just Mercedes. I've also got a 2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI, which I do all maintenance on myself, now with 175k on it. Maintenance doesn't scare me, but injection pumps do

-Darryl

Well, if you do all your maintenance on your VW, then you ought to be able to easily handle the Mercedes too. I was very surprised and happy to see how DIY friendly it is. I'm no where near what one would consider a mechanic, but I've been able to do all of the service on mine too. Hasn't been in the shop for about five years.

Len
'99 E300TD 95,000 miles

The W210 is nice, but they can demand a lot of money.

Inspect the undercarriage, doors. door seals, and wheel wells for rust. Your starting problem is definitely a a air leak issue. Pull the secondary fuel filter and make sure there is an o-ring on it. If air is still in the system, check your plastic lines for leaks, also check the fuel shutoff valve o-rings as they tend to leak as well. If you are picking up this car for a bargain price then it might be worth it.

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2005 SL65
1999 E300
1995 E300
1994 SL320
1988 560SL
1987 300TD
1982 300D
1955 300SL

Have the front suspension towers checked. I hear they're weak points in early 210s.

Sixto
... stay tuned

If Len is nowhere near what one would consider a mechanic then the rest of use are nowhere near what one would consider enthusiasts

Sixto
... stay tuned

Thanks Sixto, but all I've learned I've learned on my own from the books and from guys like you and others on various Mercedes lists. I'm not afraid to tackle any job now because I know when I get stuck or screw up, I'm only an e-mail away from you guys bailing me out. I'm getting faster too. I can now finish a three hour book time job in just over a week.

Len

you have a small air leak which is letting the fuel sipon to the tank thru the return line. Hard to find, could be line or o-ring. Simple fix, put primer for out board motor in line before filters(advanced auto parts etc.), prime line if uphill. I bought 97 like yours, can give you cheap fixes for snapping seats or broken interior mirror if you need them.

I bought one needy MB the SDL, I got $$$$$$$$$$$$$ big time.

Now I only buy one owner, no story, 10 out of 10, cream puff cars with full records. Leason learned, and learned well.

How much is said E300D? What else is tired?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I second the easy to work on line. I've been quite surprised by the ease of maintenence. The fuel lines are an issue on this car, and the one you are looking at sounds like it has this problem.

If you do buy the car, I'd recommend buying all your clear plastic lines and the O-rings for the delivery valves on the top of the injection pump. All these parts cost under $100 total and offer good piece of mind because they WILL leak if they have not already been changed. Trust me and do it all at once! I can take the intake manifold off in my sleep, and I'm not proud to have that skill!!

Also, in my opinion the body and chassis of the car are not as well put together as the older models. The drivetrain is solid, however, as it is just a newer twin cam variation of the proven 600-series of diesels.

Good luck,

Klaus

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‘84 300TD “Mountain Goat”
'62 300d Adenauer-350 Chevy - "Max"
'15 VW Passat TDI
'16 Dodge Ram 3500 - Cummins w/6-speed
'68 Mustang fastback
'55 T-bird
‘63 Studebaker Hawk

Hmm... 3.5 liter DOHC turbodiesel... have those Finnish guys tried it?

Sixto
... stay tuned