Fuel Problem

[rbarrett]

I am a new member in the southern US. I have owned a 1995 300D for the past 10 years. A few years ago, the temp outside dropped to an unusual 20* (F) and all the o-rings on the injector pump contracted and fuel leaked out on the garage floor. Once the engine was cranked and warmed up, there was absolutely no leak. I went to the expense and trouble of replacing every tube, fitting and o-ring on or around the injector pump.
Fast forward to last week..... The silly thing did it again! My question to all the M/B Bretheren out there is ... is this normal? Do you have to replace all that stuff every few years? Will keeping it plugged in on those cold nights prevent the o-rings from contracting????
My Mercedes has 255,000 miles on it and is in excellent shape, except for this fuel thingy..... Thanks for any input in advance....RB:-?

 

[Aussie Nick]

Welcome to the forum fellow member.The diesel motors are renowned for their longevity. I am not a diesel specialist but another member who is aptly qualified will be along shortly to assist you. In any event I would suggest that in your case that preventitive protection on days and nights of extreme cold should be of some assistance. I would suggest that the car is garaged indoors perhaps with a blanket over the bonnet after running it at idle for ten minutes. Regards

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Are you using Biodiesel?

Anyhow, which seals did you replace? Did you do the 6 pressure valve seals on top of the pump as well as the pipes? What about the shutoff valve o-ring?

Also check diesel isn't leaking from the electrical connector on the shutoff valve.

 

[rbarrett]

Not exactly sure which ones I replaced. I think it was a total of 9 fittings with o-rings... all of them that had plastic tubing leading from one point to another and 2 of them, I think, that had banjo fittings... No, I am not using bio-diesel. Scared, I guess. I was just in England and the cabbie was complaining about the cost of fuel.... Over here, it is going for about $3.40/gallon....:-|

 

[rbarrett]

preventitive protection on days and nights of extreme cold should be of some assistance. I would suggest that the car is garaged indoors perhaps with a blanket over the bonnet after running it at idle for ten minutes. Regards

I think this about says it. Yes, it was parked indoors.... It does have a block heater and I will remember to plug it in on the extra cold nights the next time.. But I am curious if this is normal for the 0-rings to contract. I thought, before, that it was because they (the o-rings) were old and hard and had dried out, so they just reacted to the temperature... perhaps there is something else going on there. I am going to keep a close eye on it the rest of this winter! Thanks to you guys! Cheers

 

[Aussie Nick]

Hi again over here the normal 95 octane petrol is going for AUS .$6.82 a gallon.I think that translates to US$5.92 The diesel is dearer.

 

[rbarrett]

Ouch... They (the oil people) won't be satisfied until its over $4.00/gallon here. Why not? People are paying over that for bottled water! Not me!! I'll drink out of the creek before I will pay that!! Fuel is another story, though...:-|

 

[rbarrett]

After much investigation, there seems to be a connection between the leaking O-Rings on the injector pumps and the new low sulphur fuel. Some diesel shops over here in the US are saying that the low sulphur fuel is letting the O-Rings dry out....? Has the UK gone to the low sulphur fuel? Australia?? Just wondering if it makes sense to any of you guys. My pump is definately leaking at the stub pipes. There are O-Rings and copper washers in there....... so I know what I have to do.:-|

 

[mattkh]

After much investigation, there seems to be a connection between the leaking O-Rings on the injector pumps and the new low sulphur fuel. |

Hi
Now that does make sense. Thank you for this thread.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Ouch... They (the oil people) won't be satisfied until its over $4.00/gallon here. Why not? People are paying over that for bottled water! Not me!! I'll drink out of the creek before I will pay that!! Fuel is another story, though...:-|

£2 A GALLON ..!!!!!!!????

Just wait until you are being ripped-off to the tune of over $2 A LITRE , like we are in the UK.!!

We have Gordon Brown - you have George Bush - swap ya.!!

 

[television]

Yes you can buy a 26" colour TV cheaper than a tank of fuel here