Intermittant starting fault

[Wezzel]

A couple of days ago when starting my '99 C220cdi it fired for about 1 or 2 seconds and then cut out. It took several minutes cranking the starter before it came back to life.

Today it did it again (funnily enough in the same car park at the same time of day in the same space - facing slightly uphill).

Both times the car was warm and had been started several times earlier in the day without problems (even from cold). The battery seems to be in good nick and spins the engine like a good 'un.

It sounds like it may be a fuel problem. What do you think? A couple of members posted identical posts back in 2004 but the problem was never resolved.

There is nothing worse than an unreliable car.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I had a very similar problem with a Volvo V70, totally random, completely undiagnoseable, never did solve it

 

[Dunhamkid]

Check the fuel line that goes from the fuel filter to the lift pump. On mine the seal was slightly loose and worn and letting in air occassionally. I renewed all 3 lines as they have plastic connections and clips that harden with age. I also had a leak on the line that went from the lift pump to the stop valve (at the stop valve end)