Blown Head Gasket allowed oil to corrupt cooling system
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
How do I know if Im getting spark? It damn near sounds like I am its turning over 3/4 of the way...
The car sat on reserve tank all the way through Winter without being started.
Shouldn't the car have started since the pumps were working? Can a faulty fuel filter prevent startup?
What are your thoughts ps2cho?
The car sat on reserve tank all the way through Winter without being started.
Shouldn't the car have started since the pumps were working? Can a faulty fuel filter prevent startup?
What are your thoughts ps2cho?
Last edited by loclark757; Jun 5, 2010 at 08:31 PM. Reason: fuel filter
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From: Dallas, TX
1991 300e, 1989 300e
The tank filter strainer may be clogged. Disconnect the fuel tank supply hose & drain the tank. Then unscrew the strainer. There is a picture of it on autohausaz, under the fuel system section. As for spark, disconnect a spark lead, hold it close to the head or exhaust manifold and listen & look for a spark jump while an assistant cranks the engine.
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As said before, change the fuel filter. Just because the pump is working does not mean the filter is not clogged. Either way you'll need a new FPR. I'd grab one at a local junkyard because they are semi-expensive new. Grab a couple while you are there as you cannot check them and it is nice to have a spare in the trunk just in case.
To check for spark, pull a spark plug out with the wire attached and let it hang free outside the engine safely. Have someone crank the engine while you watch the plug to see if it fires or not. It is easier if you have a spare spark plug because then you don't have to unscrew the one already in the engine.
Is the starter/battery working properly/charged? As in, is it firing fast, but not starting, or is it a little sluggish? Being over the internet I obviously have to ask basic questions...
To check for spark, pull a spark plug out with the wire attached and let it hang free outside the engine safely. Have someone crank the engine while you watch the plug to see if it fires or not. It is easier if you have a spare spark plug because then you don't have to unscrew the one already in the engine.
Is the starter/battery working properly/charged? As in, is it firing fast, but not starting, or is it a little sluggish? Being over the internet I obviously have to ask basic questions...
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
The ignition is sounding perfect. Im thinkin its gonna be the old water in the gas. Clogged fuel pump. It used to happen to me all the time in my boating days...
Do I need any special tools for draining the fuel tank etc...
Im trying to order everything asap...
Do I need any special tools for draining the fuel tank etc...
Im trying to order everything asap...
Last edited by loclark757; Jun 5, 2010 at 10:06 PM. Reason: parts order
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From: Dallas, TX
1991 300e, 1989 300e
After the tank is drained & new filter is installed, and every connection is tight, prime the system. This is done by cycling the pump with the ignition key switch. Turn the key to full on three or four times. The system should pressurize. Then turn & hold. It should start within 7 seconds.
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
Special tools?
Could someone post a link for that peachparts thread about draining a fuel tank 300E...
I can't access it!
Could someone post a link for that peachparts thread about draining a fuel tank 300E...
I can't access it!
Last edited by loclark757; Jun 6, 2010 at 11:51 AM. Reason: peachparts thread
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From: Dallas, TX
1991 300e, 1989 300e
Remove your gas cap, then disconnect the output hose from the tank and let old fuel drain into a collection container of some sort. I would order a new fuel tank hose from autohausaz. I'm sure the old one is cracking by now.
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Thread Starter
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
Ok that worked! There's a couple different filters to choose from. Im getting the one for the fuel pump and Fuel pump relay. Gas is getting to the filter so I guess the in-tank filter is fine...
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Crack all the nuts for the lines that sit on the top of the fuel distributor and crank to see if fuel is reaching the injectors or not. If you see fuel coming out at least you know all the cylinders are actually getting some fuel.
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
There is no gas coming out of the injectors at all! I can hear the fuel distributor whizzing. Gas came out of the cold start line but nothin from the injectors. I pulled more plugs to double check and still clean as a whistle.
Anything else I could try? Im about to check out the FSM...
So basically I need a new fuel distributor as well...
Anything else I could try? Im about to check out the FSM...
So basically I need a new fuel distributor as well...
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Out of the injectors, or on top of the fuel distributor at the lines I suggested cracking open?
If it is not coming out of the fuel distributor, now crack the main fuel line (engine off) to remove all the pressure. Now reconnect, crank and remove line again.
If there is pressure at the main line when you crack it open again, then it may be safe to say the fuel distributor has given up, or the throttle plate is broken/not touching the top of the FD allowing fuel to flow.
If it is not coming out of the fuel distributor, now crack the main fuel line (engine off) to remove all the pressure. Now reconnect, crank and remove line again.
If there is pressure at the main line when you crack it open again, then it may be safe to say the fuel distributor has given up, or the throttle plate is broken/not touching the top of the FD allowing fuel to flow.
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
So I guess fuel probably got into the system. I heard that if you don't isolate the problem it can keep happening...
I need to check my charcoal filter? Is that the same as the fuel accumulator?
I need to check my charcoal filter? Is that the same as the fuel accumulator?
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
Ok I removed and then reconnected that fuel feed line. I didn't notice any pressure being released. Only thing that happened was gas came out. Fuel came out of the fuel line feed each time. It's gotta be the Fuel Distributor...
Gas did not come out of the injector lines nor did it come out of the top of the Fuel Distributor.
The gas that came out smells old. Could it have been bad gas that messed up the internals of the FD...
Gas did not come out of the injector lines nor did it come out of the top of the Fuel Distributor.
The gas that came out smells old. Could it have been bad gas that messed up the internals of the FD...
Last edited by loclark757; Jun 7, 2010 at 07:48 PM.
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From: Dallas, TX
1991 300e, 1989 300e
The fuel accumulator is a pressure module which maintains fuel pressure during normal operation and after the engine is turned off and the pumps have stopped. The charcoal canister traps fuel vapors from the fuel tank and is part of the evaporative emission system. It has little effect on the CIS injection system. When you "crack" open the fuel supply line, fuel should squirt out, not drip out.
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If there was no pressure after you cranked it, then the fuel obviously isn't getting from the pump to the distributor. As wagmar said, that line should be highly pressurized and should shoot out after the engine has been cranked.
Check your filter. After that I don't know...but the problem lies from that main fuel line backwards. At least we narrowed it down. I hate diagnosing by swapping items (because I did it and learned from my mistakes which wasted time and money). Go with a logical mindset and work your way using all the free tools and techniques you can before swapping items.
Check your filter. After that I don't know...but the problem lies from that main fuel line backwards. At least we narrowed it down. I hate diagnosing by swapping items (because I did it and learned from my mistakes which wasted time and money). Go with a logical mindset and work your way using all the free tools and techniques you can before swapping items.
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
I'll have to check it again because I unscrewed it slow since gas was going everywhere?
Ok im going to drain the tank, replace hose's on the fuel system, replace fuel filter and Fuel pump relay... Hopefully I can get the pressure back in my system.
Could an old clogged filter cause poor pressure? It sounds like it would...
Ok im going to drain the tank, replace hose's on the fuel system, replace fuel filter and Fuel pump relay... Hopefully I can get the pressure back in my system.
Could an old clogged filter cause poor pressure? It sounds like it would...
Last edited by loclark757; Jun 7, 2010 at 09:56 PM.
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I'll have to check it again because I unscrewed it slow since gas was going everywhere?
Ok im going to drain the tank, replace hose's on the fuel system, replace fuel filter and Fuel pump relay... Hopefully I can get the pressure back in my system.
Could an old clogged filter cause poor pressure? It sounds like it would...
Ok im going to drain the tank, replace hose's on the fuel system, replace fuel filter and Fuel pump relay... Hopefully I can get the pressure back in my system.
Could an old clogged filter cause poor pressure? It sounds like it would...
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From: Dallas, TX
1991 300e, 1989 300e
I replace my fuel filter every 30k miles. At 20 mpg, I figure that 1500 gallons have been strained by the filter. They are inexpensive enough & it requires just a little time for the procedure.
Whenever a tanker truck fills a station, the sediment in the underground tanks is generally stirred up, and that sediment can end up in your system. MB design protects first with a fine mesh pre-filter screen in the tank, then with an over sized cellulose canister filter to trap the small stuff upstream from the fuel distributor and injectors.
Whenever a tanker truck fills a station, the sediment in the underground tanks is generally stirred up, and that sediment can end up in your system. MB design protects first with a fine mesh pre-filter screen in the tank, then with an over sized cellulose canister filter to trap the small stuff upstream from the fuel distributor and injectors.
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
Ok Im going to drain the tank through the feed line that goes into the fuel filter...
How do I access the in tank filter? I can't find it in the FSM...
Do I need that fancy tool with the hook on the end of it...
How do I access the in tank filter? I can't find it in the FSM...
Do I need that fancy tool with the hook on the end of it...
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From: Dallas, TX
1991 300e, 1989 300e
I believe the in-tank filter un-threads using a hex socket. I have never needed to pull that filter. You could blow compressed air through the line to make sure its clear if you cannot get that filter off, however.
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From: VA
1988 300E, 1994 E320, 1999 ML 320, 2002 SLK 32 AMG -SOLD-, ML 350SE -REPOSSESED-
In-tank fuel filter? I thought that was in the fuel tank towards the rear of the car...
Or do you mean follow the main feed line from the FD and it runs into the in tank filter towards the rear?
Or do you mean follow the main feed line from the FD and it runs into the in tank filter towards the rear?
