1996 E300 Starting issues - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

190E-Bpy · #1 03-18-2007, 02:16 PM

I've searched the forum and think I may have a fuel leak but would like some definitive ways to check if this is indeed my issue.

Problem: turn the key, GP (GP's and wires were just changed, but not the relay) light comes on...after normal time it goes off crank and sometimes it starts and sometimes it will start and then stall. After the stall I need to crank it for 10-45 seconds to get it to start again...holding the fuel pedal down as it engages helps. Once started and I rev it and hold it at 1000 rpms or so it will stay engaged and I can drive. After the stall I'll get a charge battery warning (new battery too). Problem is independent of temp, happens at 20F as well as 60F.

My indy replaced the fuel pressure regulator thinking that might be the issue and said he couldn't detect a leak as I suggested after reading messages on this board it might be the cause.

Sometimes I smell a strong diesel smell too...leak?

Sometimes I also notice it bogging down a little while driving, I'll pump the pedal and it'll bog down a little and then it goes. Fuel filters clogged?

I've had the car since 98K miles and I'm at 144K miles (1 year).

If I wanted to do a "tune up" what are the recommended PM's
fuel filter
air filter
what else (Battery, GP's and wires just done at 130K)

thanks

nhdoc · #2 03-18-2007, 02:22 PM

Yes, from the symptoms you describe I would strongly suspect a leak in the fuel system. I don't think there is a fuel pressure regulator on these so I am not sure what your tech changed but I would check the fuel lines, the o-ring at the shutoff valve and the o-ring on the pre-filter. If you have a leak the symptoms you describe would most likely occur with less than half a tank of fuel or with the car parked on an incline, nose down. Have you noticed that the starting problem is more noticeable under those conditions???

TMAllison · #3 03-18-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 190E-Bpy

Sometimes I smell a strong diesel smell too...leak?

You should not be smelling fuel.

The only other o-rings to check not mentioned below would be the delivery valve seals. A leak there would show on the flat top surface of the IP.

Sometimes is easiest to spray everything clean with a degreaser first and then start hunting for leaks.

190E-Bpy · #4 03-18-2007, 04:29 PM

I did notice the problem lessened if I would keep it above the 3/4 mark on the tank and try to park it "nose down." But even the other day my tank was almost full and the problem occurred (parked on a flat surface). Since I'm a complete noob to this engine (know my way around a M103 alright) is there a good diagram showing the possible faulty orings and where to locate them.

thanks

I'll look into what my indy changed, they're very knowledgable and write back with the proper name..maybe fuel pressure sensor....it was $160 for the part.

TMAllison · #5 03-18-2007, 06:33 PM

A fuel leak is generally associated with dried out oring seals used to seal all the items previously mentioned.

The easiest way to fix an leak is to replace everything..... The starting point is generally all plastic fuel lines (x5 or 6) and the pre-filter oring. The second step if that desnt resolve things is to replace the oring behind the shutoff valve (black plastic vave on side of the IP) and then the 6 delivery valve orings.

Here is a link where you can find the details for the 96/97 OM606. Look under section 07.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=210020&VIN=

190E-Bpy · #6 03-18-2007, 09:43 PM

The link didn't go, I've been to that site before but with guidance to the exact page. I appreciate all the help and would love to have this problem done with,
It started after letting it sit for 2 weeks over Christmas and ever since then it comes and goes. So if my fuel lines (they are the older brown ones, probably original) and orings are shot I'm getting air in my lines. If I drive it for 10-15 minutes and let it sit for 1-2 hours I don't have any issues, but overnight it rears it's ugly head.

thanks again.

Do they sell a fuel line/oring kit? Or is it not that simple. Not that I would do the install (don't trust myself yet around this engine). I'd buy it and have my indy do the install. Thanks in advance

TMAllison · #7 03-18-2007, 11:29 PM

The link works. Maybe was busy Sun.

The lines crack and fail eventually so should prob be replaced if brown. They are clear when new.

If you want to do the orings only, am pretty sure you need 8 @ 2.5mm x 8mm ID, 4 @ 2.5mm x 10mm ID and 1 @ 3mm x 18mm ID (pre-filter, not 100% certain about this one).

Shutoff valve is 2.5mm x 12mm ID.

Smart money buys viton rather than buna and hopes this is the last time you have to do them.