Feel like a complete mug :(

[andypyke]

Wonder if anyone can offer a glimmer of hope as I'm feeling like a bit of a mug...

Having been made redundant for Christmas and had to hand in the company car, I bought a 2004 CLK 270CDI on autotrader from what was supposed to be a private seller. The car was in London and I went up by train (mistake, I know) and the seller picked me up from the train station (2nd mistake I agree).

The car looked and seemed to operate fine so I agreed to buy it even though it became clear the seller was a trade seller and not a private seller (which I'll take up with trading standards as a seperate issue but have already been told not to place too much hope in that process!).

Anyway, the car drove home fine but the next day wouldn't start. Called the RAC and they said a common fault for this car is the injectors or pre-heat. They managed to fire it up with "easy start" and recommended it goes for diagnostics.

Took the car for diagnostics at a good local garage. The diagnostics showed no faults and they were unable to replicate the fault more than once (which then passed by itslef) so I picked it up drove it home and told myself "just one fo those things, at least now its working".

This morning guess what? Car won't start

Now I've got a severely grumpy wife accusing me of wasting money on a car that doesn't work (I'd say she's about right this time ) and a car with a fault that a good local garage can't identify.

Can anyone suggest what I try next? I'm no mechanic so it will have to be a course of action I can take to a garage and ask them to do.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated. I've already had the severe telling off for not trusting my instincts about the seller, but do feel free to join my wife in general abuse on that front as well if you want to :Oops:

 

[television]

As the car runs fine when it does start, there is no major problem I feel.

I know nothing about diesels, but this just sounds like air in the pipes

Welcome to the forum some that know will hopefully answer, an MB indie would know more about the car

 

[w44nty]

Could be air leaking into the fuel system,or a faulty high pressure pump,best take the car to a garage who has star diagnostics so they can check it out

 

[d215yq]

Most people sell on a car with a fault...you can't expect to buy a perfect one as most of those would be kept and not sold...as long as you didn't buy it at an inflated/trader price and paid appropriate money for a private sale i wouldn't worry too much about the seller, why does it matter if he is a trader, as long as you weren't conned into believing it had a warranty and charged a high trader price because of this it doesn't really matter.

It's unlikely to be too expensive to put right and hopefully it will turn out to be good in the end

 

[Frontstep]

Your biggest problem appears to be the one in the house rather than the drive, all the same the trader does have a responsibility to give you a functioning vehicle so tell "him" the problem and see what happens from then.
As said above it could be a number of things but CDI's usually start without pre heat and injectors seems unlikely as it runs well.
As TV air in fuel pipes one possibility.

 

[Naraic]

I agree with TV.

Sounds like fuel pipes and O rings. Over time they harden and allow to pass on these cold mornings. Not a big nor expensive job...but you do need a garage with more knowledge of Mercs.

 

[npuk]

Do a search for topics with the word 'kent' in the title, plenty of good specialists in your area.

 

[stuartmac]

Hi Andy,

When you say the engine "won't start", does the engine turn over for what seems like ages but it doesn't fire?

If it's air leaking into the fuel injection - through hardened 'O'-ring seals - ime it'll take between ten and fifteen seconds (seems much longer ) of continuous turning before the engine will fire.

If that is the problem, easily fixed by a decent indie - I use Nigel Scrace in Tunbridge Wells (07775 782792) - for not much money; 'til you can get the car to the indie, when you leave it for any length of time (overnight length), park it on a hill with the front pointing downhill.

Hth.

Regards,

 

[Rappey69]

Or a injector leak off problem, again can be diagnosed on star.

 

[jaymanek]

Change the plastic clear fuel pipes... Buy them from mercedes, all 4 of them and ask your garage to change them...
£60 or so for the set + the labour of fitting..

Guaranteed to be your problem! Then you can have a lovely christmas and a Happy New Year!

p.s. it will eventually get going, ou will need to crank it for a while to get the air out of the system... Let the starter have breaks after each 10-15 secs of cranking..

 

[scotty2hotty81]

Will be anything from fuel pipe seals up to the high pressure pump, change all of the fuel line seals should only cost £16-£20 for the seals there are 7 I think, if that doesn't sort it I'd bet it's an injector leaking back over night.

 

[BAZZER1]

As others have said, get it to a good Indie with Star and they should be able to sort this problem out for you, as for" Er Indoors", that might be a different problem, there are some good Lady Merc Owners on here who may be able to give you some advice on this one.!!! Not one for us mere mortal males to answer.
Good luck anyway Mate, The CLK Diesel is a good car and welcome to the Forum
BAZZER1

 

[Benzworx]

Get it on star diagnostics to be sure

 

[brianbrian]

As above probably air leaking back not a expensive job. I have bought 2 190ds within the last 6weeks with same problem, plus had a couple of glow plugs down, spent £50.00 on 2 sets of orings and glow plugs from Mercedes Taunton (Very good service) and pipe with new small jubilee clips. 3 hours work, both cars now start first time, plus no diesel over our drive. as to phoning the chap you bought the car from, do not waste time or money forget him as you will not win, he will say car was o.k. when you bought it . I f you need to start the car as it is, make sure battery is 99% and do not do short spurts starting it ,as once you stop turning the engine over the fuel will run back. Good luck my wife is always right but I love her to bits. Hope this helps

 

[Mic]

Hello and welcome.......I would be very surprised if the forgoing desk top diagnostics are wrong......nonetheless go to your nearest dedicated MB indie.....see top right of this page......and I suspect all will be well at sensible money.

Good luck with getting employment asap

Mic

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

As said already the problem is most likely to be air entering the low pressure plastic diesel lines to the high pressure pump. These comprise of 3 plastic pipes with an 'o' ring at each end. If you buy the kit in the link and have them fitted the car should start.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Genui...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43b6d519b3

You can get them from MB if you are in a hurry.

 

[ChrisBrown]

Having had a similar problem on an ML and a C class, in both of my casses it was the fuel filter clogged up. Changed it both times and they were all good after, as somebody else said, try to get a STAR test done (or a good other brand Autel works for me). If your planning on being anywhere near Gatwick over the next week or so PM me as it can pick up faults that dont give warning lights and I would be happy to hook it up FOC (well, you could buy me a quick pint but that would be it!)
As has already been said, it will be a simple fault. On the note above, before replacing the clear pipes, check them in the morning before you try and start it, if there is air in there, you should be able to see it.
Best of luck and dont give up

 

[ChrisBrown]

good call by Malcolm on the replacement o rings, worth a look, (trust me, I did the fuel filter one today with this kit), is although I am loath to recomend Halfords for anything as they closed the local factors then turned their back on the home mechanic IMHO http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_256923_langId_-1_categoryId_255228

 

[brianbrian]

I bought my o rings and copper washers from mercedes £5.00 plus v.a.t. per set Hope this helps

 

[Frontstep]

Those EBAY o-rings are hopelessly overpriced.