Earlier my '88 2.6 would crank but not start. Now that the fuel pump relay is replaced, it does start on first try! But after about 10 seconds or so on free run, it dies all in a sudden as if someone just has just turned the fuel supply off, and then I can hear the drip, drip, drip sound of the gas dropping somewhere under the hood (inside the spider?).

So what does this sound like? I have replaced so many parts now that I am practically running out of relevant parts/devices to replace. In a nut shell, the only 3 parts that have yet been identified with certainty as causation of my car start up problem are 1) the fuel filter, 2) the fuel pump itself or, 3) the fuel pressure actuator at the back of the spider.

Since my car could start up repeatedly, that means fuel is apparently getting through the filter to the injector system, so fuel filter most likely is not the culprit.

When I turn the key to the initial *on* position I can hear lots of noise working, I suppose that means the fuel pump is working? Only thing is, before I changed the FPR (the fuel pump relay) the noise wasn't a whole lot and went away quickly, and the car would start right up and stay running. Now, the noise is LOUD and lasts for about 1 minute and then it subsides. Sometimes the continuity of the noise itself seems inconsistent in that the sound would break in and out, a situation that makes me wonder if the fuel pump is pumping fuel CONSISTENTLY to the injector system. So I think this may be a likely culprit.

Now, another FPR - this time I am referring to the *Fuel Pressure Actuator - this is an item I don't know how critical it is in the picture. (I understand its job is to regulate the spray pressure of the fuel to the injector system, the spider.) When I loosened up the second screw fuel just shooting out all over! So is it bad or is it working? Does what I have just described appear "normal" to some of you? Because I can't identify the functional status of this device so I can't estimate whether this part is also a culprit if at all. I also don't know how likely or often would this devise go out.

So HELP! Any suggestion/feedback/opin from fellow MB owners or experts will be much, much appreciated!

Anthony
California

 

Your regulator has gone - as stated in an earlier thread. You just need a new one. The thing is allowing enough gas to get to the injectors to start, but then is leaking out faster than the car needs fuel. If you are short on money, try an adjustable job - the Benz ones are a few hundred - I can get a mustang adjustable for less than $100 most places, and they perform the same task.