fuel filter in E 420

Nov 3, 2002 | 09:00 PM

huginna

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From: Reykjavik, Iceland

Mercedes GL Pewter w. offroad package and a PE launch Edit.

fuel filter in E 420

I had an incedent last night wich wasnt pleasant enough. I drive a E 420 '95 and when I was making a sharp left turn the engine hesitated as it wasnt getting enough fuel. I thrusted the gas pedal but nothing happened and I switched into N and the engine died. Now it wont start like it isnt getting enough gas.
We have had alot of strange wheather lately getting from + 10 degrees celcius to - 15 and my fuel tank has always had about 10 to 15 liters on it, could it be the fuel filter that is full or is it something more serious. Do any of you know where the fuel filter is and how to change it? The car had been kind of powerless the last 50 kilometers or so but I just filled it up 50 km before this all happened. Do anyone have a suggestion about what is wrong, every suggestion is appreciated.

Thanks,
Huginn

Nov 4, 2002 | 07:50 AM

bamberger_1

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From: Germany

'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124

unless you have "tons" of maybe frozen (water)condensate in the fuel system it does not sound like a fuel filter problem, rather something in the fuel systems (valves, hoses, distribution, injectors...) or the motor management electronics.
Good luck finding it.

Nov 4, 2002 | 07:44 PM

huginna

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From: Reykjavik, Iceland

Mercedes GL Pewter w. offroad package and a PE launch Edit.

Thank you for your input. When I bought the car it had been standing alot maybe a year or so with no gas on it and maybe there could be rust inside the fuel tank (just a thought) that is jamming the fuel system. When I got it from Germany just 3 months ago the fuel tank had tons of water in it and the car was running very laim or hardly at all. But when I filled it up and put some defrost fluid in the tank it ran fine. Then one morning when it was about -15 outside and I started the car I heard frosted water guttling in the tank. Could this be damaging something in the fuel system? I took it to the mercedes dealer here in Iceland and he just told me to put on redex fuel system cleaner and I did but it wasnt any better. The car has been running ok but has been quite powerless in both sprinting and at high speed (10 secs 0-100 km/h) wich is not good. Its has always been like its not getting enough gas. Its in the repair shop and I will post the results as they com but any input is well appreciated.

Thanks,
Huginn

Nov 5, 2002 | 07:06 AM

bamberger_1

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From: Germany

'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124

Hi,
it seems that the water in the tank is the devil. Probably that much that normal system cleaners cant make it. Most likely the MB mechanic has to flush the fuel tank. Then they can also see whether the corrosion has taken its toll. They should also have a tool to inspect the gas tank w/o taking it out.
Another thought: Have you ever experienced what you described like 200 km after a complete fill up? If so, there is an other possibility. The fuel system has a tank ventilation system, which has to level the different pressures during temperatur and fuel level changes. If this system is clogged, there is a "vacuum" building up in the tank and prevents unrestricted flow of fuel into the system. Within this system there is also a so called purge valve and a charcoal filter which prevent gas fumes to escape the fuel/tank system. Maybe water entered there too???

Nov 5, 2002 | 08:54 PM

huginna

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Mercedes GL Pewter w. offroad package and a PE launch Edit.

Yeah that could be. The dealership have been examining the car today and they found alot of water in the tank and very dirty fuel filters but after changing them they didnt get it running so they ghanged spark plugs but nothing happened. They are going to see if they have more time tomorrow otherwise they are going to resume next week and have some expert take a look. They think its something in the ignition system, I hope not the computer because my friend had to replace one for $3.500 in his E 260. But honestly I have had my E420 for about 3 months and I have nothing but trouble is it just E420 or is it this one specificly. First the transmission leaked a lot ($300) then my moonroof got stuck wich costed me $900 and then this and this is not going in a cheap direction. I had a 94 E220 wich was trouble free for 2 years but was driven alot more kms. I will post the results as they come and maybe someone will tell me afterwards what changes I can make on my car so I will outrun a Subaru WRX. I have had it lowered about an inch and he is on 17" AMG wheels and monroe springs but I need more power.

Thank you for your response.

Huginn

Nov 7, 2002 | 04:16 AM

bamberger_1

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From: Germany

'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124

Hi Huginna,
I think if there was that much water in the fuel system it needs a professional flushing/cleaning, since there will still be moisture in the tubes, valves, fuel distributor and the rest of the fuel system. Even the gas tank being clean now, there is still no "clean" fuel running in the system until all has been flushed. I dont think the problems are caused by the electronical ignition system. Even the computer may not be the trouble maker, since if it fails there is still an emergency mode to run the engine w/o the optimization of the motor management.
What did your friend pay $3.500 for??? (are you talking US $????) This sound more like an engine overhaul than replacing the motor management electronics, especially for an E260.

Good luck.
Bamberger_1

Nov 7, 2002 | 08:13 PM

huginna

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From: Reykjavik, Iceland

Mercedes GL Pewter w. offroad package and a PE launch Edit.

Well they are examining the car now and I hope it is just like you said that it needs to be flushed. Yes he paid 3.500 US dollars for the computer for the ignition system. The prices here at the dealership in Iceland are absurd. Like I needed the ashtray below the radio because mine was damaged and it was only 600 US dollars. If you own a mercedes in Iceland you have the money to run it properly! Please if you have any ideas how to make my E 420 a little bit faster then let me know because if I cant outrun my friend on the Subaru WRX I have to find me a C36 or C43. Id rather go to C43 because I have a thing for V8.
Thanks for your input, I'll be posting the results for my E class.