C250TD Starting Issues - Resolved

[P_biggy]

My P Reg C250 TD Sport Estate was having starting issues, cranking over for up to 30secs before firing. A visit to a main stealer and then a local garage (twice) still didn't resolve the issue. I changed all the pipes around the system but still nothing. A compression test indicated a 10% reduction, not bad for 170k, and recommended a new engine.

I read about the fuel shut off valve on this site and took one last punt. I fitted it and now the car is as good as new and reading this forum has saved my car and my wallet. This seems to be a standard problem and the cause of many peoples issues. It must be dirt or perhaps a breakdown of the electrical components within the valve not allowing the valve to open/close as per normal.

The part number for my C250TD is A 000 078 44 49 and don't forget to get the washer (total circa £100). It only took this amateur DIY'er 45 mins to change.

Anyone know where you can get some injectors cheaper than a main dealer.

 

[hmang]

http://www.uniteddiesel.co.uk/diesel_injectors/mercedes_benz/

 

[television]

This firm re cons them.

http://www.feather-diesel.co.uk/

 

[dieselman]

Any local diesel specialist will be able to refurb your exisitng injectors...if they need it.

Try running a strong dose of injector cleaner through the fuel system before condemning them.
New tips and pintles are cheap.

As a matter of interest what were the compression readings? And as far as condemning the engine at the worst it'll be the valves leaking a bit, not worth worrying about if it starts from cold. That is the acid test of a diesel engine.

 

[keith.potter]

C250TD Starting Problems

My C250TD starts perfectly when cold, first thing in the morning, even when the temperature is below freezing. Later in the day, when the engine is warm, it can take up to a minute to restart. I am wondering if the fuel cut off switch previously mentioned could also be my problem. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I don't know if it's just coincidence but the pre-glow warning light started to come on,when the engine is running, around the same time as my difficult engine starting problem began.