C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Fuel pump help needed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 12:54 PM
  #1  
johnand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Fuel pump help needed

So, if you have been following this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ard-start.html you can see that my 07 C230 will not start. I replaced a known revised CPS, and still no start. Hooked up a fuel pressure gauge, and I have no pressure. Then, I checked the fuel pump fuse and relay, and they are good. Then, I tried to find the fuel pump under the seat to test it, and then I got a little confused. Here are the pics. This is the passenger side:



This is the drivers side:



So, after some digging around in WIS wiring diagrams, I found the wiring for the pump which is on the passenger side. But, then I am confused with this. Clearly the fuel line is attached on the driver's side, but the fuel pump on the passenger side has no fuel lines? How does that work? Where is the wiring for the 2nd level sending unit? Any help in sorting this out is appreciated. I don't want to tow it to the dealer to fix.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 02:41 PM
  #2  
d1no's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 1
05 c230k 6spd
http://www.installuniversity.com/mb/w203/w203/fp.html

Thats a DIY for fuel pump replacement on 02 c240.. Hopefully not much has changed and those pics help you a bit.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 03:15 PM
  #3  
cpbeasley's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: KC, MO
"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
so the other side is just a fuel level sending unit?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 03:52 PM
  #4  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
See my reply PM to yours.

The pump is on the LHS (drivers US) side on 99% of W203's. I have seen one car with it reversed.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 04:06 PM
  #5  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by d1no
http://www.installuniversity.com/mb/w203/w203/fp.html

Thats a DIY for fuel pump replacement on 02 c240.. Hopefully not much has changed and those pics help you a bit.
Yep - That is how most cars are. But John has the final W203 with the fuel filter in the tank. From his pics above the pump is still seems to be on the drivers side of his car unless they moved it to make space for the filter. What I don't understand is why the wiring is so heavy to the passenger side which used to be a level sensor only.

I think those plastic covers need to come off to see all the pipe routing.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 04:31 PM
  #6  
d1no's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 1
05 c230k 6spd
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
Yep - That is how most cars are. But John has the final W203 with the fuel filter in the tank. From his pics above the pump is still seems to be on the drivers side of his car unless they moved it to make space for the filter. What I don't understand is why the wiring is so heavy to the passenger side which used to be a level sensor only.

I think those plastic covers need to come off to see all the pipe routing.
Oh ok, So my 2005 c230k has the same setup as the c240 from installuniversity link? I would have to get that tool for the locking ring? So in the 2007s since the fuel filter is in the tank they have to get to the tank to change it out or what?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 04:34 PM
  #7  
splinter's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
If you haven’t already finished…
Almost certain the right hand side is the pump proper; mine was.
Some wires & hoses that connect with the RH pump run in the tank from the level sensor.

On the road as I post this. Will update further this evening if need be. Good luck amigo.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 04:41 PM
  #8  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
John - I have trawled through the EPC & your car seems to be a crossover vehicle that looks more like a W204 than a W203 in this regard

The W204 has the fuel pump on the RH (passenger US) side of the car & one of the sensors & other gubbins on the LHS.

Your fuel system is not the same as earlier W203's
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 04:44 PM
  #9  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by splinter
If you haven’t already finished…
Almost certain the right hand side is the pump proper; mine was.
Some wires & hoses that connect with the RH pump run in the tank from the level sensor.

On the road as I post this. Will update further this evening if need be. Good luck amigo.
splinter - my car is configured like yours but most on the forum are not (US at least)
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 05:16 PM
  #10  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by d1no
Oh ok, So my 2005 c230k has the same setup as the c240 from installuniversity link? I would have to get that tool for the locking ring? So in the 2007s since the fuel filter is in the tank they have to get to the tank to change it out or what?
Your car should have the set up like installuniversity. There is one easy way to check which side the pump is mounted. Put your ear to the rear seat & listen for which side has the pump whine. If you can't hear it with the engine running the let the car stand overnight and you might hear it more easily as you switch on to crank. With the seat out you can clearly hear where the pump is. I should also point out that the 4 cylinder engines have a different injection system to the V6 although they share most tank etc parts.

Your car should require the ring tool but the only way to know for certain is to check. Benz changed at some VIN number that I can't find.

Your car should have the external filter next to the tank with the built in pressure regulator. John's car has the filter inside the one tank module.
Your car s/b like this - Ignore the fact that this says M272 engine - John's car has M272 & the filter is in the tank:

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...unction-1-.pdf

This - which side is the fuel pump nonsense of Benz got me into trouble with a member in my early days on the forum. I had presumed incorrectly that all cars were RHS. I also got involved with ChrisBrown's car which has a noisy pump & that was LHS IIRC.

Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 23, 2011 at 05:39 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 05:17 PM
  #11  
johnand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Thanks for the replies. I am 99% certain the passenger side is the pump side. Those are heavy gauge wires as Glyn pointed out, and the color code matches what the WIS diagrams say is M3 (fuel pump). I realized when I was thinking about it that Splinter is right, and there has to be fuel lines and other wiring running to the other side.

Parts.com has the pump for $173. Going to call the stealer in the morning and see what they want for a pump.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 05:26 PM
  #12  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I think you are correct - do you get 12 volts at the RHS plug?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 06:08 PM
  #13  
johnand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
I think you are correct - do you get 12 volts at the RHS plug?
10.89V while cranking. Does that sound ok?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 06:12 PM
  #14  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes - the pump should be fine with that! As I said in PM the older Pierburg & Bosch pumps had 7 to 15 volt operating latitude.

Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jan 23, 2011 at 06:15 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 06:38 PM
  #15  
johnand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
Yes - the pump should be fine with that! As I said in PM the older Pierburg & Bosch pumps had 7 to 15 volt operating latitude.
I figured as much from what you said. The top of the pump says VDO. Maybe the sending unit?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 08:01 PM
  #16  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
No actually - VDO makes fuel pumps & maybe Merc has moved from Bosch & Pierburg to VDO.

I noticed the VDO in your top pic. They obviously make sensors & gauges as well. With bean counters around maybe VDO got the new contract. Imagine they would have to meet the same spec.

I'm old shool. If it has a Bosch injection system I wish they would keep it all Bosch. When I see all the trouble they have had with crap Delphi injectors on the diesel Blue Efficiency range I have to ask - why did they change???
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 08:30 PM
  #17  
johnand's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 64
From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Agreed.

The drivers side pic shows a Delphi part. Not sure if it is a pressure regulator, sending unit or what? I'll look at the schematic just for curiosity.

So, with all that said, I now am 100% sure the pump is toast. The real question is why it failed so soon? Think the fairly large quantities of E85 that passed through it had anything to do with it?

Glyn, I know you frequent the 204 forum, so any pump failures you can recall? I doubt there is many 204's up to the mileage of my 203, but interesting to see if the 204 start seeing early pump failures.

Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
No actually - VDO makes fuel pumps & maybe Merc has moved from Bosch & Pierburg to VDO.

I noticed the VDO in your top pic. They obviously make sensors & gauges as well. With bean counters around maybe VDO got the new contract. Imagine they would have to meet the same spec.

I'm old shool. If it has a Bosch injection system I wish they would keep it all Bosch. When I see all the trouble they have had with crap Delphi injectors on the diesel Blue Efficiency range I have to ask - why did they change???
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 10:51 PM
  #18  
d1no's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 1
05 c230k 6spd
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
Your car should have the set up like installuniversity. There is one easy way to check which side the pump is mounted. Put your ear to the rear seat & listen for which side has the pump whine. If you can't hear it with the engine running the let the car stand overnight and you might hear it more easily as you switch on to crank. With the seat out you can clearly hear where the pump is. I should also point out that the 4 cylinder engines have a different injection system to the V6 although they share most tank etc parts.

Your car should require the ring tool but the only way to know for certain is to check. Benz changed at some VIN number that I can't find.

Your car should have the external filter next to the tank with the built in pressure regulator. John's car has the filter inside the one tank module.
Your car s/b like this - Ignore the fact that this says M272 engine - John's car has M272 & the filter is in the tank:

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...unction-1-.pdf

This - which side is the fuel pump nonsense of Benz got me into trouble with a member in my early days on the forum. I had presumed incorrectly that all cars were RHS. I also got involved with ChrisBrown's car which has a noisy pump & that was LHS IIRC.
Thanks for the reply Glyn. So lets say I do require the ring thing, is there a way to take it out without it because the tool alone cost over 100 bucks. Yes my car has the fuel filter under the car next to the rear driver wheel. I might be having to replace my pump too if it fails soon.

Hey John how'd you get that price on the parts.com website. For me it shows 230$ when I look it up
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 11:08 PM
  #19  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I'm not sure why E85 would cause a fuel pump failure since the car is rated to work with E85. This sucks, though. How many days now has it been a garage decoration?
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 06:32 AM
  #20  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by d1no
Thanks for the reply Glyn. So lets say I do require the ring thing, is there a way to take it out without it because the tool alone cost over 100 bucks. Yes my car has the fuel filter under the car next to the rear driver wheel. I might be having to replace my pump too if it fails soon.

Hey John how'd you get that price on the parts.com website. For me it shows 230$ when I look it up
You can butcher the rings off with a screwdiver & hammer, piece of wood & hammer, I've seen people expand pullers & rotate them. All methods are tacky but can work. You could even file & weld up a tool if you are good at that.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 06:39 AM
  #21  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
I'm not sure why E85 would cause a fuel pump failure since the car is rated to work with E85. This sucks, though. How many days now has it been a garage decoration?
Indeed - John's is a Flexfuel car but the pumps run flooded & the E85 might have chewed the insulation off of the armature windings.

Alcohols can do awful things - I know - we had to tolerate Sasol heavy alcohols in our fuel for years & I have plenty of experience in Brazil with their hydrous & anhydrous alcohols.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 06:46 AM
  #22  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Interesting. It seems Mercedes should have done what was necessary to make sure that didn't happen before saying it was okay to use E85.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 06:49 AM
  #23  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by johnand
Agreed.

The drivers side pic shows a Delphi part. Not sure if it is a pressure regulator, sending unit or what? I'll look at the schematic just for curiosity.

So, with all that said, I now am 100% sure the pump is toast. The real question is why it failed so soon? Think the fairly large quantities of E85 that passed through it had anything to do with it?

Glyn, I know you frequent the 204 forum, so any pump failures you can recall? I doubt there is many 204's up to the mileage of my 203, but interesting to see if the 204 start seeing early pump failures.
There have been a number of fuel pump failures on the W204 - generally at very low mileage.

Example - https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ight=fuel+pump
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 07:05 AM
  #24  
Glyn M Ruck's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Interesting. It seems Mercedes should have done what was necessary to make sure that didn't happen before saying it was okay to use E85.
Yup! they probably did not test far enough. In SA Benz vehicles were quite good on alcohol laced fuel but BMW's had huge trouble - screwed up their injection systems big time in those days. Benz who used many similar parts had, had them plated differently & changed all elastomers to be alcohol proof.

Benz over the years has cheapened many things to keep their cars cost competitive & it shows. I still remember the day Jürgen Schrempp informed the German board that their cars were "over engineered"
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2011 | 07:08 AM
  #25  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Ahh.. they should be engineered and then priced, not priced then engineered.. IMO.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:27 PM.

story-0
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-2
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-3
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke

Slideshow: The 2027 update adds a fully digital steering system, revised styling, and potential charging upgrades as the company looks to revive interest in the luxury EV.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-04 10:24:38


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records

Slideshow: From problematic air suspensions to early dual-clutch transmission issues, these specific models and years stand out as the least dependable modern Mercedes vehicles.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-26 18:08:10


VIEW MORE