Help required, non starting E300td

[robs-mbz]

Help guys!

My normally ultra reliable W210 E300td is failing to start start this morning. It was running perfectly when I used it last night. This morning, it just will not start, not even attempting to fire. There are no warning lights or messages displayed, the glow plug light extinguishes as normal, (there is plenty of diesel in the tank!) it turns over just fine, I have got jump leads across from my Transit van which has a brand new heavy duty battery fitted, still no joy. The car is normally garaged but I left it overnight on my drive which slopes from the bottom to the garage door, the car was facing up the slope. Any help would be most appreciated!

Iv'e just noticed that I have what sounds like a relay clicking underneath the glove box, it has done this from time to time in the past but with no effect on the running of the car.

Just been looking at it again, I removed the fuel filter and it was only about half full of fuel, is this correct or is it pointing to a fuel starvation problem? If so, are there any quick fixes so that I can at least drive it into my garage?

 

[wireman]

Not quite my parish but it sounds like you may have some air getting into the injection system as a result of tired seals on and around the fuel pump, look around the forum there are several similar posts on here with what looks like all the advise you need to find and fix the problem.

 

[robs-mbz]

Just been searching the forum, seems I have all the symptoms of leaking fuel lines, any other suggestions?

 

[television]

Hi Rob,, is yours a 210025 car this is the fuel system, if the filter is noot filling up then could it be the pump or around there
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=210025&M=606.962&GA=722.608&CT=F&Cat=45P&SID=47

The links open after BM

 

[robs-mbz]

How do I know if its a 210025? Its a '97 model

 

[robs-mbz]

The first thing I did was check fuse 6 (fuel pump) under the back seat, its ok, the car is now on the level in my garage with the battery on charge. Iv'e had a quick look at the plastic, low pressure fuel lines around the injector pump area and one or two of them do look a bit black and oily as if there maybe a small leak. Is it possible to replace the O rings without removing the inlet manifold, access does look a bit restricted around there especially for my size twelve hands!

 

[robs-mbz]

Finally got the car to start when in the garage and on the level, noticed however that when the engine is switched off the fuel in the clear inlet fuel line to the filter runs backwards. Is this normal or is it due to a leaking o ring? Also, when the engine is running there are bubbles in the clear fuel line from the filter to the injection pump, the number of bubbles increases when the engine revs increase. I'm sure this must be due to a leak, drawing air in. I'm goinng to replace all of the o rings just in case!

 

[robs-mbz]

Is there a kit of o rings or do I have to order them seperately?

 

[television]

Yes for sure you have found the problem Rob, this is a common thing, and rubber has a limited life

 

[robs-mbz]

Malcolm, do you know if there is a kit of parts?

 

[television]

You just by a few from the MB dealer, say a hand full, no kit

 

[Number_Cruncher]

Yes, take the manifold off, and change ALL the O rings.

Also, remove the shut-off valve on the side of the injector pump - there's an O ring behind there that causes problems

Also, change the fuel pre-filter AND renew the O ring. For some perverse reason, when you buy the pre-filter from MB, it doesn't come with a new O ring, and you need to order it seperately.

While you've got the cross-over pipe off, its also well worth while renewing the injector leak off pipes - they become brittle, and leak prone. The new pipe (2 metres is required) only costs a few pounds. You'll also need a new bung for No 6 injector.

The lift pumps are extremely reliable, and it's very unlikely that the lift pump is the cause of your problem. O ring failure, and leak off pipe problems are, however, almost guaranteed!

 

[robs-mbz]

Well, thanks for that fella's, looks like I'll be busy next weekend!