Fuel Pump/relay/Filter/out of gas? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidmash · #1 04-22-2011, 05:58 PM

Driving in the 190 on the freeway. Fuel gauge shows 1/4 and the trip mileage shows about 250. Car starts to surge for about a mile or two. Manage to get off and to a gas station. I put in about 15.5 gallons of fuel. According to the manual it a 21 gallon tank (I have never managed to get more then 17 gallons in).

I put in two gallons from a gas can, started right up but still surged. I heard a sound from the rear that sounded like the fuel pump starting and stopping (whirring noise?). If I kept my foot on the gas pedle a bit it would stay running but still surge. Stalled twice when I took my foot off the gas. Third time started up, no surging smooth as a top. Drove to the gas pump (stalled out across the street .. what luck) filled it up and drove home with out incident.

The fuel pump is about 4 years old, relay about 2 years. Not sure of the filter.

Does the filter stick up in the tank where the bottom could be a bit clogged and not allowing the last few gallons into the pump?

Any ideas? Does anyone know for certain what the tank volume on a 190e-16 Euro is? 21 does not make sense as I have never put more than 17 in and I usually run it to the light or 300 miles which ever comes first. I have been doing mostly city/short hop driving so I am sure mileage took a hit but 250 seems drastic and I only put 15-16 gallons in which if my 18 gallon tank theory is right that makes sense but not on a 21 gallon tank.

Thanks

JohnM. · #2 04-22-2011, 06:25 PM

I'm almost certain your 190 does not have a 21 gallon tank. The 300E tank is only 18.5 gallons, the 190E must be smaller than that. The W124 diesel had a 23 gallon tank.

Sounds like a clogged filter to me.

davidmash · #3 04-22-2011, 06:30 PM

That's what I figured as well but I have the OEM owners manual and it is for a 190E 2.3-16. It says it has 70l fuel tank with 8.5l reserve. Who am I to argue with MB?

JohnM. · #4 04-22-2011, 07:26 PM

70 liters = 18.4920437 US gallons

The 8.5L reserve is included in that figure.

ps2cho · #5 04-22-2011, 07:46 PM

I've never filled up more than 15.8gal in both my cars....Is there really still almost 3gallons remaining? The light comes on at roughly 15gallons fill up.

JohnM. · #6 04-22-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

I've never filled up more than 15.8gal in both my cars....Is there really still almost 3gallons remaining? The light comes on at roughly 15gallons fill up.

Yes. The reserve light is very accurate. At a minimum, you've got 3 gallons/60miles left once the light comes on. I've had to run it pretty close before.

davidmash · #7 04-22-2011, 10:04 PM

Ok. So we are going with a clogged trainer filter. Joy. I get to drain a fuel tank.

JohnM. · #8 04-22-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Ok. So we are going with a clogged trainer filter. Joy. I get to drain a fuel tank.

Not the in tank filter. The one that is in-line with the fuel pumps. You do not have to drain the tank to replace that one.

davidmash · #9 04-23-2011, 12:34 AM

May be I am being dense but I would not think this would be caused by the in line filter. Given that I only put in a bit over 15 gallons, there should have been about 2 gallons left. I was thinking there is some sort of trap/filter in the tank that stands up in the tank a few inches. If the bottom part o the filer was clogged, it could starve the engine even though fuel was still in the tank. Does this car have that?

Ferdman · #10 04-23-2011, 09:28 AM

David, a parts website lists a "Fuel Filter, In-Tank Screen at Bottom" for your vehicle ... plus the typical in-line fuel filter next to the fuel pump(s). It would be a good idea to remove and inspect the in-tank filter.

sptt · #11 04-24-2011, 12:26 AM

Looks like I'm going to have to carry some gas and see how many extra miles I can go once the fuel light comes on. I always fill up when light comes on and put in about 15.7 gallons at fill up. Most of my other cars (Japanese made) only had about 30 miles left when reserve came on. My Chevy 1500 would just run out! No reserve! 60 extra miles would be awesome!

davidmash · #12 04-24-2011, 12:48 PM

My light never came on and it used to. That is why I think it is the screen in the tank. This should be fun.