pcman_jh
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2003
- Messages
- 317
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- Haddington
- Your Mercedes
- 2013 E220 Cabriolet
As per previous postings about flat spots with my 1999 E300 TD, I've just changed the fuel filter after 2500 miles and it appears to cure the problem.
My flat spots (while accelerating uphill, or the engine under load) started to be noticeable around 1500 miles, then progressively gets more noticeable, particulary when the engine's heating up. On changing the fuel filter, I can "floor it" and it performs as it should, whereas before it would start to stutter, loose speed when it got oto 50 - 70 mph unless you backed off with the throttle and let it get up to speed in its own time. Normal to light acceleration would be OK. It does this whether on Diesel or switched to SVO so I'm guessing when using SVO it's slowly (or quickly!!) clogging the filter element.
I've converted to the 2 tank system - starting on diesel, switching to SVO when the engine's at normal temp, then back again for last 10 mins of the day.
Since I'm using KTC Veg oil (from Supermarkets/cash 'n' carrys) I'd have thought I'd get more miles than this per filter. It does it with either Henst or Merc filters.
It's still worth changing them at this low frequency as they're only costing £7 from GSF or £8.50(ish) for a genuine Merc one.
Would it be worth while filtering the SVO before using it - although I'd rather avoid this extra step?
PS - There's a benefit with the conversion. If you normally change the fuel filter you'd have to crank for a few mintues to get it started (despite filling the filter manually before fitting it), whereas with the conversion the 3-way valves stop it losing the fuel and it starts within seconds. This also makes changing the fuel filter literally a 3 minute job!!
My flat spots (while accelerating uphill, or the engine under load) started to be noticeable around 1500 miles, then progressively gets more noticeable, particulary when the engine's heating up. On changing the fuel filter, I can "floor it" and it performs as it should, whereas before it would start to stutter, loose speed when it got oto 50 - 70 mph unless you backed off with the throttle and let it get up to speed in its own time. Normal to light acceleration would be OK. It does this whether on Diesel or switched to SVO so I'm guessing when using SVO it's slowly (or quickly!!) clogging the filter element.
I've converted to the 2 tank system - starting on diesel, switching to SVO when the engine's at normal temp, then back again for last 10 mins of the day.
Since I'm using KTC Veg oil (from Supermarkets/cash 'n' carrys) I'd have thought I'd get more miles than this per filter. It does it with either Henst or Merc filters.
It's still worth changing them at this low frequency as they're only costing £7 from GSF or £8.50(ish) for a genuine Merc one.
Would it be worth while filtering the SVO before using it - although I'd rather avoid this extra step?
PS - There's a benefit with the conversion. If you normally change the fuel filter you'd have to crank for a few mintues to get it started (despite filling the filter manually before fitting it), whereas with the conversion the 3-way valves stop it losing the fuel and it starts within seconds. This also makes changing the fuel filter literally a 3 minute job!!
