Hello everyone!
I have spent some times reading posts on this forum, but still can't seem to find a solution to the problem that we have. We just bought this baby about a month ago with 140k miles on it. It ran perfectly. Infact, we drove it from Chicago back to Dallas/Fort Worth and it was a manificient automobile. Fortunately for us, the problem only surfaced when we got back to home. Here is the problem.

My drive way has 2 inclines, one is slightly @ 5 degree and one is very slopy @ around 25-30 degree angle. When I park the Benz heads up on the 5 degree angle incline, it would not start if there is less than a 1/4 of fuel left in the tank; on the 30 degree slope, it would not start at all even when I have a full tank of fuel. It doesn't matter how long I crank it; I had tried it for a long time before, charging the battery twice and jumping it, still wouldn't help. It seems like the Benz couldn't get any fuel from the tank.

Whenever this happens, I have to push it down on a flat surface and it would start after 2-3 of 10 to 20 seconds of crankings. The Benz runs and drives fine, plenty of power even though it was not a turbo engine. I can even drive it up and down inclines without any problem, just that when I park it head up for an hour or so, it wouldn't start again.

Whenever we go out with friends, our friends always made fun of our benz because we had to park it head down on any slopes/inclines.

By the way, there is a small fuel leak on one of the fuel lines going in the spin on oil filter ( which I haven't replaced yet). Could this leak be the reason why all the fuel was drawn back into the tank and created a huge air buble in my fuel system when it was head up on a slope. I think it is the line going from the fuel filter to the shut off valve. I couldn't seem to find any picture/diagram of the fuel lines for this particular model.

I am planning to order some O rings from Fastlane to remedy the leak.

Yes, Yes, Yes...you are experiencing a very common problem and fortunately it is very easily fixed. You may need to replace all of the plastic fuel lines too but start with the ones you know are leaking and be sure to replace the o-ring at the pre-filter fitting...that is most commonly the cause of the problems you descibe. Even if you have to replace all of the lines the parts are only about $75 to do it all. If they are dark in color it means they're old and probably shoud be done.

Read this thread...the fuel system in his '99 is identical to yours and there is a fuel system diagram linked to post #5:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=174162&highlight=fuel+leak

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

While waiting for parts to arrive, try backing into your driveway and parking nose downhill.

This will help with the hard starts and possibly help identify other leaks that may be present.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

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

Thanks for all the advice and helps, I looked at Fastlane part catalogue but still having no idea what parts I need to completely replace all the lines coming into/from the spin on filter.

I found 4 fuel lines ( one is not available at this time ), 2 line sealers, one with picture, one without. I emailed Phil but haven't received his respond yet. Can anyone point me to what I need?

Also, I plan to put a clear inline filter on the fuel line coming from the fuel tank to the spin on filter because I plan to switch to B100 soon. Is there a pre filter for the fuel on this particular model? or the spin on filter is all there is. Can someone also show me which lines in this picture are the incoming fuel line and the return line?

I have been working on Japanese gasoline cars all my life but this German diesel one is a totally new experience to me.

Thanks for all the advice and helps, I looked at Fastlane part catalogue but still having no idea what parts I need to completely replace all the lines coming into/from the spin on filter.

I found 4 fuel lines ( one is not available at this time ), 2 line sealers, one with picture, one without. I emailed Phil but haven't received his respond yet. Can anyone point me to what I need?

Also, I plan to put a clear inline filter on the fuel line coming from the fuel tank to the spin on filter because I plan to switch to B100 soon. Is there a pre filter for the fuel on this particular model? or the spin on filter is all there is. Can someone also show me which lines in this picture are the incoming fuel line and the return line?

I have been working on Japanese gasoline cars all my life but this German diesel one is a totally new experience to me.

Prefilter is item #26 on this diagram:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachment.php?attachmentid=39586&d=1166878138

It is not an inline filter typically found on the older models but is a molded plastic piece which fits into the filter housing. You need to buy the o-ring separately (item #29) and it MUST be renewed each time you replace the filter.

The parts you need are OEM only and commonly available at any dealership and even if they have to order them they can get them in a day or two, faster than having them shipped mailorder. I'd suggest you print out this diagram, go to the parts counter and get what you need there.

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

You should find most items applicable here. A few noted I have not gotten yet.

Should be fairly cheap and simple to remedy.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=176161

Enjoy

__________________
raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

Please e-mail me your VIN#.

These are the part numbers that come up in EPC without your VIN#.
I want to verify them.

#1. A6040701633
#2. A6040701733
#3. A6040701833
#4. A6040701933
#5. A6050700133
#6. A6060700133


A6010920105 FILTER ELEMENT PREFILTER
A6019970148 SEAL PREFILTER

A0099978148 FUEL FILTER BOLT SEAL

A0099979248 FUEL FILTER BOLT SEAL

A6050701432 FROM THERMOSTAT TO PREFILTER
A6050700732 FROM PREFILTER TO SHUT-OFF VALVE
A6050700832 FROM FEED PUMP TO SHUT-OFF VALVE
A6060700432 FROM FEED PUMP TO FUEL FILTER
A6050701532 FROM FUEL FILTER TO SHUT-OFF VALVE
A6060700532 (RETURN LINE) FROM INJECTION PUMP TO FUEL FILTER

A01079972248 SEAL RING FUEL LINE AND OVERFLOW VALVE ON INJECTION PUMP

N00760301102 SEAL RING FUEL LINE AND OVERFLOW VALVE ON INJECTION PUMP 12X16-CU

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
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Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

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