JimM
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2012
- Messages
- 309
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Berks, UK
- Your Mercedes
- W210 E320 CDi Avantgarde Estate 2002
Hi pals.
For about a week my E320 CDi would not started in the morning from totally cold on the 1st try as it usually does, but on the 3rd try.
After that first start she is always fine all day through many short journeys, starting on 1st try within 1-2 seconds.
Early this week it was noticeably colder and it wouldn't start at all and I stopped trying after 6-7 tries and called my mobile mechie.
I left it alone until he arrived the next afternoon and we took a good look around, the glow plugs are heating, there is no air in the visible fuel line, there is fuel right up to the rail with no bubbles at all, and there are no leaks anywhere round or on the fuel rails or the fuel filter or pump.
It started on the 2nd try.
He offered to replace the rail seals but didn't think there was any need so we postponed that for now. He suggested to change the fuel filter next as it is a routine replacement anyway.
The last 2 days it started on the 2nd or 3rd try again.
Then today it wouldn't start again. It was bitterly cold this morning.
Could it be the fuel is freezing a little? I've seen -6C to -15C quoted as possible freeze points where the diesel fuel might start to gel but I don't think it was that cold in Berkshire last night/this morning?
I will replace the fuel filter, it's not been changed since I had the car, about 3 years now. It might have water in it which would possibly freeze.
Has anyone got any pointers please?
For about a week my E320 CDi would not started in the morning from totally cold on the 1st try as it usually does, but on the 3rd try.
After that first start she is always fine all day through many short journeys, starting on 1st try within 1-2 seconds.
Early this week it was noticeably colder and it wouldn't start at all and I stopped trying after 6-7 tries and called my mobile mechie.
I left it alone until he arrived the next afternoon and we took a good look around, the glow plugs are heating, there is no air in the visible fuel line, there is fuel right up to the rail with no bubbles at all, and there are no leaks anywhere round or on the fuel rails or the fuel filter or pump.
It started on the 2nd try.
He offered to replace the rail seals but didn't think there was any need so we postponed that for now. He suggested to change the fuel filter next as it is a routine replacement anyway.
The last 2 days it started on the 2nd or 3rd try again.
Then today it wouldn't start again. It was bitterly cold this morning.
Could it be the fuel is freezing a little? I've seen -6C to -15C quoted as possible freeze points where the diesel fuel might start to gel but I don't think it was that cold in Berkshire last night/this morning?
I will replace the fuel filter, it's not been changed since I had the car, about 3 years now. It might have water in it which would possibly freeze.
Has anyone got any pointers please?