Johnnyboy321

Hi im new to the forums and am in desperate need of help as this is my only vehicle. My car ran out of gas a few days ago, my wife brought me some gas and vehicle started up fine and I made it to the gas pump and filled the gas tank. After I filled itincidentouldn't start again but after coming to the forums I read a previous thread that advised to hold for 30 seconds and keep trying. It eventually started up and was fine for a few days except for the occasional problem with it not starting again.

So today on my way to work the vehicle cut off on me in the middle of the road. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic who says the vehicle needs a new fuel filter, air filter, 12 spark plugs and a new engine sensor? My car always ran fine before this incident and from what I've read on the forums, this is happening to me because of the gunk that is stuck in the fuel. The mechanic wants 700$ for the repair and I really don't have that. The car is a 02 e320 4matic. What should I do to at least have the car running again so I can get to work? Just replace the fuel filter? I also heard about some fuel cleaning liquid that I can pour in the gas tank and that should fix it? Please help im at work now and freaking out. Thanks!

Johnnyboy321

Sorry for the first paragraph, I'm on my phone and didn't realize that text was getting put together. So after I filled up the gas tank the vehicle wouldn't start at the pump. But has been starting fine the last few days. So basically the car has been shutting off on me randomly at stop lights. This has happened twice, but it will start up again fine within a few minutes. What could the issue be? The cel has been on but goes off after a few starts

Ps. I dont know anything at all about cars lol

Johnnyboy321

When the car starts up again everything is fine, no shaking or anything. It runs perfectly fine, but then it cuts off all of a sudden. Should I just pick up the car and buy the fuel cleaning liquid?

Critter

Any cels, is the check engine light on?
Wondering if you do not have a air lock in the fuel rail and the pressure regulator is being messed with? If the car has a Schrader valve on the fuel rail, use a tire gauge to see what the pressure is when running and check with what the pressure should be.

nelbur

The spark plugs and the air filter would not cause the engine to shut off while driving. The fuel filter could as could a sensor. I would tell him that you cant afford all that he proposes. If he read your codes he hopefully knows what caused the cel, which is likely related to the shutting off problem.

Johnnyboy321

The check engine light is on, it has been on twice but it always seems to go off after a few starts. It will come back on when the vehicle cuts off, but after I get it started up a few times it will go away. This has happened three times, and on the fifth or sixth start the cel will disappear every time

Johnnyboy321

Thanks a lot for your help so far!As of right now the cel is not on. But if I start it up and drive it home theres a chance the vehicle will shut off again. Once it shuts off the cel is on for at least 5 starts

Plutoe

All those previous faults are stored in the ECU---get a cheap OBD tool then scan the car and post the faults---help is on the way!!

Johnnyboy321

Stuck at work till 8. So frustrating because I really can't do anything right now. Should I ask thr mechanic what codes came up? Or any questions I can ask him that would help?

Critter

Take the car to autozone or a auto place and get them to read the stored codes and post them. You can ask the tech but chances are he is only in it for the money as he stated plugs and filters and well you get the idea!