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

CEL and engine sputtering after fueling up

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Old Jun 29, 2014 | 11:51 AM
  #1  
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C320 4MATIC WAGON
CEL and engine sputtering after fueling up

Howdy folks,

I drive a 2004 C320 4MATIC wagon that has been giving me grief lately. Last week, when I failed to tighten the fuel cap all the way, the warning light cam on, and the CEL came on ~2 days later with no change in performance. I removed and replaced the fuel cap, and the CEL went off.

But the plot thickens. About five days later, when I filled up the tank with fuel, the CEL came on again, the engine sputtered and wouldn't turn over, and the fuel gauge light was flashing, as if the tank were empty. Of course, I was three hours and a $500 tow through the Catskills later. After the car sat for awhile, it began to run normally again. The CEL is not on, currently.

Any insight into my problem?

Last edited by Missykins; Jun 29, 2014 at 01:17 PM.
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Old Jun 30, 2014 | 07:09 PM
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THE C350
Really need to check fuel pressure at rail should be 55psi while cranking I believe and Fuel filter (may be due)
The other interesting thing is you mention your fuel light was flashing I have never seen it flash before even when my car ran out of gas (testing to see how long I could drive with fuel light on lol)
I would check rear sam for water also happen to jump start car recently? Older w203s had an issue with rear sam which controls fuel gauge but yours should be passed that.
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Old Jul 4, 2014 | 11:25 AM
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C320 4MATIC WAGON
Happened again!

If I meant flashing, I meant "on" as if fuel tank was empty.

Happened again yesterday, except this time I was not fueling up as I was the first time. Same deal--CEL comes on, car will crank but not turn over all the way, let it rest a bit and eventually turns over, and the CEL eventually turns off (within 30 min).
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Old Jul 6, 2014 | 01:56 PM
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THE C350
Have you checked CEL or Fuel pressure? It may just be a bad Crankshaft position sensor.
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Old Jul 6, 2014 | 02:35 PM
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C320 4MATIC WAGON
CEL, occasional failure to turn over completely

Thanks so much for your reply!

Each time the CEL turns on I am far from an Autozone to check the code, as the CEL will go on and off intermittently.

It goes to the shop tomorrow am.
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Old Jul 6, 2014 | 02:50 PM
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C320 4MATIC WAGON
Fuel light

Why would the fuel light come one as if the tank is empty if it's just a CPS?
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 04:00 PM
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C320 4MATIC WAGON
Drum roll please

Well, it turned out to be something as pedestrian as a crankshaft position sensor. The shop had the part in stock and repaired it relatively quickly for this shop. Came to just shy of $400.00 which is cheap for this shop.

Fuel pressure was checked and determined to be OK.
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 05:54 PM
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2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
Did they at least explain why the fuel light was coming on?
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Old Jul 8, 2014 | 07:00 PM
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C320 4MATIC WAGON
Fuel light

They blamed it on the gas cap, which was also replaced.

We shall see what happens.


My poor baby (car) has had a rough couple of weeks, so she is going to the car spa for a full detail next week!

Last edited by Missykins; Jul 8, 2014 at 07:05 PM.
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