E320 CDI (W210) estate won't turn over... (bugger)

[Kallisti]

As a follow up to http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=44751, went out in it today and half way up a steep hill the engine cut out. It gave me a three letter error, but as I tried to re-start immediately it forgot it. All I remember is that it wanted me to go to the Workshop.

The petrol was pretty low, but the computer reckoned there was 0.2 Gallons there (it does go down to zero well before running out). To rule it out, I put another 5l in but it still wouldn't start.

Tried to tip start it about 5 or 10 times, no luck.

Guess it's going to Mr. Benz, unless someone can recommend me a good indie in the Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire area (Camberley)?

 

[Cole@MBS]

If you mean uncle benz, hes one of the good ones out there, you dont really give us much to go on, your recall about the fault message is very plain, im sorry but as to giving help, we need more!! it could be one of many things!!

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

was the light on dash EPC

you say the petrol was low, but state its a cdi, i know you may think im taking the pee, but many have done it, drained many a diesel tank of petrol

 

[Cole@MBS]

Electronic power control, sounds like hes ran out of fuel to me!!

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

just read your other post,

i had a 320cdi doing this, cutting out, etc, epc light coming on when accelerating etc,

it was 3 injectors playing up,

possible cause could be injector/injectors leaking off, when they first start to leak off it just takes longer to start, eventually it will not start as the leaking off injector/injertors deprive the cdi system of the pressure needed to start.
faulty injectors can also cause cutting out.

fuel pressure relief valve, pressure sensor, can cause this, crankshaft sensor,high pressure pump, can also cause this.

getting car put on star machine to get values checked when not starting is prob best advice i can give.

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

Electronic power control, sounds like hes ran out of fuel to me!!

probably esp going up hill with 0.2 gallon left,
you know what the cdi can be like to start when the filter has run dry,

reckon he should try bit of easy start to see if it runs,

 

[Cole@MBS]

And hear it knock like hell!!!!

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

And hear it knock like hell!!!!

brake cleaner does not knock, ive heard the easy start does,

 

[Cole@MBS]

Iv seen easy start bend a con rod before!!!

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

Iv seen easy start bend a con rod before!!!

oooh bad one eh,
how did it bend the rod, take it it fired up on the easy start and revved the nuts off before the oil could get around

we use brake cleaner on the non start cdi faults, if they fire up usually injectors, but only a sniff,

ive seen a dci clio start up on easy start, rev to the sky then throw a rod

 

[Cole@MBS]

Once you stripped the lump down, the for-said-piston is about a mm down on TDC, then you know the rod is bent!!!

Just to add, this was on a derv v8 twin turbo merc artic lump!!!

 

[Kallisti]

EPC seems likely as the error.

It could very well be fuel, given I was going uphill and it was very low... What's the procedure when you've run dry? Not sure I like the idea of putting brake cleaner into the system, even if I knew how! Tried turning it over about 4 or 5 times since I've put 5l back in.

Incidentally, I'm just not very good with naming the different variations of fuel. It's never seen anything but diesel.

Unfortunately, I don't have much more info that i've not given. I guess it's going to have to be plugged in and invoiced... Once again, anyone know an indie near Camberley that I could call in the morning?

 

[television]

It needs a good battery and cranking until it starts, if any air in the system you should see the air bubbles in the filter

 

[Kallisti]

So just keep on turning it over? I assume the starter motor will be ok so long as it's not abused without a chance to cool down? I've a feeling the battery is getting a bit tired already. It's 3/4th of a mile from home I've not got much in the way of options there. Dont' really fancy a tow starting with a hill-start either!

 

[television]

So just keep on turning it over? I assume the starter motor will be ok so long as it's not abused without a chance to cool down? I've a feeling the battery is getting a bit tired already. It's 3/4th of a mile from home I've not got much in the way of options there. Dont' really fancy a tow starting with a hill-start either!

If you have jump leads,,its a safe car to jump, it does not help with a low battery as the cranking current in the starter goes up, so a jump will help, or you remove the battery and charge it if thats convenient or possible.

Spinning it over without stopping is a much faster way than short burst, as every time you pause the pressure that has built up is lost

 

[Kallisti]

Out of diesel.... Despite having had about 10 tip-start efforts, the battery managed to give me another 20 seconds and it started as the battery was gasping for power to turn the starter. Because of the starting problems (and the fact that the computer was reporting 0.2 gallons) I was jumping to conclusions. Oh well, back to problem A, won't start on the first tip start in the morning...

Someone suggested spraying "Free it" on the flywheel, can't figure out what "free it" is, can anyone guide me to the actual product contents?