Hi, new to this stuff guys.
My E280 starts well and runs well, low km vehicle 1 owner before me.
Now and again just will not start, turns over faster than normal like it has no spark. After winding for ages I get to smell fuel in engine bay, so fuel pump is working. It will not start for many attempts then next time will fire into life as it should. What I am trying to say is, it starts fine nearly every time then won't start for many attempts then will go again. I have taken it to a garage for repair but of course it starts perfectly when it is there. Wiring loom looks like new, not crumbling so I don't think it is a loom issue??? Any help would be much appeciated

 

I think it could be the OVP and/or OVP fuse. Located behind the battery, try removing it, shaking it, and reinstalling it and see if there's any difference. Do a search for "OVP" and see what you find.

 

Does the engine try to start? Does it obviously crank faster than normal? Does the engine still seem to have compression as it's cranking? or does the engine seem to spin at a constant RPM?

Sorry for all the questions. It helps to determine if it's an ignition issue or compression issue. I had a S420 years ago that had a sticking oil pressure relief valve that would cause a similar complaint. The VERY high oil pressure would hold open the valves and cause a no start/flooded engine. It took me a LOOONG time to find the problem. It is very unlikely but still a possibility.

 

Thanks for your help so far. The car turns over really fast anyway so I don't think it is turning over any faster than it should. It is as if it is turning over as normal but just will not fire, it is not trying to fire. It is like it has no fuel but I know the fuel is getting up there because I can smell it after many starting attempts then it will just start and run perfectly as it should. It does not sart up running rough or anything, just goes perfectly. I just got it back from a garage and they said it started perfectly everytime they tried it so gave it back to. I just went up the road to a store, came out and it would not start for 30 attempts then started perfectly. Very annoying, Cheers

 

So, are you going to try the OVP? This is a very common starting problem with your car.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=ovp+start

 

You're a bloody genius!! If you are ever in NZ I owe you a beer! Cheers mate

 

Glad to hear your car is better. New Zealand? My washing machine was made there- Fisher & Paykel. It's a great machine!