Poor starting on C220 CDI

[Devonian]

Hi can anyone help with my son's 220 CDI.

Intermittantly it will not start. It cranks over for ages and eventually goes. This can happen with a warm engine so I assume not glow plug related.
My thoughts would be an air leak in the fuel line somewhere but I don't know how to test for this. Can anyone advise how I check for this or alternatively suggest other possible causes?

Thanks

 

[mattkh]

Hi
Can you see the fuel lines going to the individual injectors?
What material are they?
If seethrough material, then look for any bubbles travelling in them as a friend cranks the engine.

 

[type49]

These will be solid metal pipes. Could be injector leak-off too great. Could be a lot of things really. You need to get it tested. Any good indies around your way??

 

[BlackC55]

I would say an injector fault is the most probable cause.

 

[Devonian]

Thanks guys. However I think my original description of the fault was slightly incorrect. When it has difficulty starting it does start straight away but then dies down and splutters to a stop a matter of a second or so later. then you have to crank it over numerous times until it will re start after that it drives fine. most of the time it will start OK for instance first thing in the morning it is opk, you can drive a few miles then stop for say 10 mins and the problem appears, though unfortunately not every time.

If you still think as before that it is likely to be injectors then I will have to take in to a dealer to be diagnosed though I would rather sort this out myself to gain experience. Is there any way I can test for faulty injectors without special equipment?

Thanks, Andy

 

[BlackC55]

You need some leak off test bottles (i have some)

And a little bit of knowlege......

 

[BlackC55]

Take a trip down here and I can test them for you.

 

[sixpack]

Bad starting

Hi Devonian, Ivs had these exact symptoms on 2 merc diesels, a 1995 250 5 cylinder and a 2002 C270cdi. You description fits mine exactly, it starts right away then dies only to take a lot of cranking to get it going. In both cases its been air leaks on the clear plastic pipes (they usually go brown with age) around the fuel filter, and the o ring on the cut off valve. Air bubbles usually appear in the clear pipes. Its usually just the o rings in the end fittings that leak but its not worth while repairing them as the pipes crack when you bend them. There not that dear from a dealer, just replace them all. The O ring between the shut off valve and the side of the pump body also leaks air but you cant see the bubbles so easily. You need a torx driver to get this off.

Hope this helps

Peter

 

[Devonian]

Thanks all

Sixpack I think you are correct. I have checked out these plasic pipes and can clearly see air in them. I have ordered a new set (four in all) and will report back after they have been fitted

 

[DJH]

Thanks all

Sixpack I think you are correct. I have checked out these plasic pipes and can clearly see air in them. I have ordered a new set (four in all) and will report back after they have been fitted

Devonian,
Have you managed to resolve this problem, as I have the same fault on my C220 CDI, which started following a fuel filter change.(I posted this under c220 CDI fuel problem 26-05-07).The problem is intermittant and I have lived with it for 3 months as I am in Spain and have not the facilities I have in the UK.The car is running perfectly apart from this and there certainly is air in the fuel supply line before the fuel filter.I am returning to the UK in September and hope to finally sort it out.

 

[Devonian]

Devonian,
Have you managed to resolve this problem, as I have the same fault on my C220 CDI, which started following a fuel filter change.(I posted this under c220 CDI starts and then stops).The problem is intermittant and I have lived with it for 3 months as I am in Spain and have not the facilities I have in the UK.The car is running perfectly apart from this and there certainly is air in the fuel supply line before the fuel filter.I am returning to the UK in September and hope to finally sort it out.

Yes we changed the four pipes and fuel filter and the problem is cured. We took some pictures during the job and will be posting them as a "how to" soon.

Andy

 

[DJH]

Yes we changed the four pipes and fuel filter and the problem is cured. We took some pictures during the job and will be posting them as a "how to" soon.

Andy

Thanks for the feedback, it is really appreciated, and I will look out for the "how to" .
Dave

 

[Devonian]

Thanks for the feedback, it is really appreciated, and I will look out for the "how to" .
Dave

Dave

It's a pretty straightforward job. The "How to" has already been posted by my son as we did the job on his car :-
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=31203

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=31202

Good luck

 

[DJH]

Dave

It's a pretty straightforward job. The "How to" has already been posted by my son as we did the job on his car :-
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=31203

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=31202

Good luck

Thanks for the info .I have seen the pics and they are extremely clear and show exactly the problem and how to rectify.I am sure these threads will save many forum members much grief not to mention money.

Dave

 

[T1M4]

Thanks for the info .I have seen the pics and they are extremely clear and show exactly the problem and how to rectify.I am sure these threads will save many forum members much grief not to mention money.

Dave

Thank you ! They took a while to write

 

[anthony roylance]

Poor Starting

I have had the same trouble with a C250

It would not start for ages then when it did it was ok until left for a period of time.

initially it was the fuel lines to the Injectors these were changed and all fine.

Some 18 months later a similar problem occured This time it was the lift pump a second hand one has cured it

Car now fine

May I suggest both these solutions