Hello everyone. My 1998 E300D-T has recently developed a fuel leak, leaving about a twelve inch puddle on the garage floor. I have read previous posts on this issue (possibly pertaining to ULSD introduction???) and performed a search. Some people, however, seem to be replacing mutiple components without initial relief. Is there a way to limit the location of the leak without throwing parts at the problem? Will this most likely require plastic fuel line replacement or is it a more serious problem involving the injector pump? Thanks for your help, as always!!!

Clean the car, then look for the leak.



If it's a puddle, it's likely to be after the IP (right?) as the IP "sucks" fuel from the tank.

much unlike the gasser that has a pump (my gasser runs 98psi) on the fuel line.

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-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)

I have experienced the same thing, long before ULSD was available. You should be able to get a finger on the shut-off valve to verify it is the leaker. Another potential leaker is under the cover over the injectors in the center of the head. The little rubber jumper lines between the injectors can abrade if they contact the cover, from engine vibration, and then leak into the injector wells and out under the cover. Find out where the leak is coming from, and if it is from the area under the intake manifold, well, it is easiest to get to the parts with the intake manifold off. It is not as horrible a job as it sounds. Do a search on glow plug removal for this car and find the very explicit and easy to follow instructions for removing the intake manifold.

Hope this helps and good luck, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

when ur car is parked take notice to where the fuel is lying under the car, that should tell u

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82' 300SD

This thread should be a big help to you:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=166865

It'll be fairly easy to find the leak, and cheap to correct normally.

Unless you replace the lines, shutoff o-ring, prefilter o-ring and delivery valve seals you'll just be chasing leaks one after another...my suggestion is do them all at once and be done with it. The entire project is only $100 in parts and will take a competant mechanic under 3 hours including R&R of the intake. Once you pull the intake it makes sense just to do it all...

And yes, it is most likely the ULSD...my car is leaking now too from multimple sources and it was bone dry a month ago before ULSD was introduced. Many others have also had the same problems.

And no, you can't tell from where the spot is on the flor because the '98 has a belly pan so all of the leak will come out of the same holes on the bottom.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I haven't had any leaks yet. Knock on wood. Lines were replaced less than 2 yrs ago

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

As were mine (January of '05) but mine started leaking with the delivery valve seals about a week ago and now two of the plastic lines are damp too from leaks at their ends...I just decided to replace everything all over again rather than deal with one at a time.

Did you ever replace your delivery valve seals? I don't think mine were ever done before so they were probably due but the ULSD pushed them over the edge.

It also seemed to me that there have been an unusually large number of tractor trailers broken down on the side of the interstate lately. Yesterday, along I84 in CT there seemed to be an 18 wheeler every couple of miles sitting on the shoulder either waiting for help or with a mechanic pulled over with them...I am wondering if the truckers are seeing bad problems with leaks and clogged filters in the past month too.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

If you've not previously replaced any of the parts discussed in nhdoc's post #6 above, then do exactly as he suggests as you've been on borrowed time for quite a while.

Deterioation of the o-rings seals appears to be time related (rather tahn mileage) and is excerbrated by the change in the aromatics/additives used in the new ULSD fuel causing old o-rings to harded and shrink to the point of failure.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

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