1988 500 sel wont start

[dave500sel]

Hi has anybody any experienced this one, Car was running fine no sign of problem then suddenly engine died at the lights . The engine turns over but wont fire up ,there is a spark at the plugs and i can smell petrol fumes from the exhaust so i presume i have both spark and fuel ,the fuel pump kicks in when the ignition is first turned on so i assume thatis all ok ,I have heard crank sensor could be the problem? any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[dave500sel]

As a desperate measure i tried putting small amount of petrol down the air intake and cranked engine low and behold the car fired up !, Must be a fuel problem after all , I am going to change fuel filter first and try again i will keep you posted on the result

 

[PINBALL]

I would aim for the fuel filter 1st too.
You should have seen the state the factors filter was in, it was a wonder it was still running on my E280.

 

[dave500sel]

I am going to change fuel filter tomorrow , looks like a simple but potential pain to do due to corrosion on clamps etc, Has anyone done this one before and is there an easy way, or anything i should watch out for ?

Cheers Dave

 

[dave500sel]

changed fuel filter and no difference I cut open old filter and it was clean as a whistle ..... However whilst cranking engine with injector pipe disconected at the injector the appears to be no fuel at injector so removed injector pipe from fuel distributor and cranked engine , a little fuel visible but not a very nice looking colour!! looks rusty coloured looks like ive had water in the fuel at some point can the unit be cleaned? or will it have to be reconditioned and most importantly whats the damage to my wallet going to be!!!!!!!!!!

any advice would be appreciated

Dave