CTYANKEE

Fellow Dieselers,

I recently bought a used (115k miles) 1996 E300 Diesel. This is my third MB diesel for the obvious reasons - great economy, great performance, and low maintenance. I have a mechanic who is one of the best in CT and takes care of me.

I am looking for some recommendations on brands of diesel fuel conditioner. My problem, which is very intermitent, is while starting the car, sometimes it will not turn over. I wait a few seconds and then, while pumping the accelerator gently, it turns over, but sputters for a few seconds. On a few occaissions, there is a warning on the dash that says "Charge Battery". My mechanic has seen the problem once and we cannot create it.

While on vavcation this summer on Cape Cod, the problem became more severe (always does while on vacation!) and I found someone who took a look at it. He put some fuel conditioner in, but he would not tell me the brand.

So my question is, what experience have other E300 diesel owners had with fuel conditioners, and how often should I put it in? My 190D never had this problem, nor did my old 240.

Thoughts? Thanks

uberwgn

You can find PowerService (white bottle) at Wallysmart, Autozone, Advance Auto. You can find Red Line at Pepboy.

I'm not clear how a charging condition is related to fuel additives or lack thereof. Is the car nearly stalling out and RPMs drop down?

CTYANKEE

The car does not stall out once it gets running. Starting it is the problem, and I have to say it is a very intermitent problem. The fuel filter is new and clear, the injectors are fine, and the electrical system has been tested with no problems.

I am not sure if the diesel catalyst is the solution or just a good thing to have. I am taking it on a 2,000 mile trip next week and will see if the problem occurs.

Thanks for the reply.

MARK CUMMINS

We Use ATF yes automatic transmision fluid ..Any brand will work..It WILL clean out the system and reduce smoke...It Solved several complaints from customers
Add two quarts the first time then 1 quart each tank (Full Tank)

The Next time you work on your car try using atf to remove the grease..it Works!

michakaveli

Sounds like she needs a new battery. Don't waste time and get a replacement Interstate or the likes. If the battery voltage is low and the battery can't recharge and discharge properly you will start to get all sorts of errors on the cluster display. It's getting cold in CT, trust me as I've lived through 3- CT winters w/ my E300. A strong battery and good glow plugs will bode well for cold starting this season...

michakaveli

Who's your indy that you go to?

michakaveli

Don't forget about the K40 relay in the computer section underneath the hood. That is the achilles heelof the car and id known for various electrical problems, expecially fuel related and starting/running of the engine. Many folks replace them as prevantative maintainence. It's about $100 fromt he stealer and is a snap to replace, definately a DIY.

uberwgn

Do you recall the cost for this?

Thx.

michakaveli

It was $100.?? from my local stealer... I had a situation this past summer where teh glow light wouldn't even come on when attempting to start on a hot engine. Only happened once bu tI replaced the relay as preventative maintainence.

uberwgn

so this part sits on that series of boards where the computers are located (under hood)?

Thanks.

michakaveli

Exactly, it's on the bottom. Snapped in. The hardest part is to remove the electrical connectors off of it when removing

gasoel

HI - Stick to what the experts on this site say. I get such great info just by reading what these guys/gals post. They turned me onto the Power Service which I have been using in my 96 E300. I get it at Pepboys in the SF Bay Area. I have not used the Stanadyne yet but sure that works well too. Again, the gurus on this site tend to say stay with these 2.

http://www.stanadyne.com/new/index.asp
http://www.powerservice.com/

.

rsatmans

You cannot go wrong with the powerservice. I use it about every other tank in my 99 e300 and it works great.

E300TD

I have the same exact problem right now, very slow sputtering startups, takes a few cranks and pumping the gas pedal to get it to start and idle. Once it does get to idle it's GLASS though, and the car runs perfect! WTF???

Terkemus

[1996 E300 138K miles - new battery , new wiring harness, new glow plugs]

I don't get it. I thought my battery was shot as it was a used car and who would install a new battery. Called Roadside and they installed a MB battery and 1 week later I'm noticing weak starts and if it does stall on start up I get the charge battery message. The MB guy also said my Interstate that was in the car seemed good and had a 2005 sticker so it should be OK. He suggested the alt or volt reg (I thought these were good ideas but the climate control shows 13.3-13.5 while driving and my cigarette lighter diagnostic shows 13.8 - 14.1...enough charge to keep the battery topped up). He also suggested the glow plug relay, this was not changed during my wiring harness, glow plug fix. This one sits on the wheel well of the drivers side. Where exactly is the K40. Any pic links? Thanks

So frustrating

Lancelot

I had this problem with a VW TDI Eurovan where the shop replaced just about everything until we found out there was always a light on 24/7 in the cargo area without knowing. This drained the battery enough overnight to cause starting problems. My console would display "Achtung, bitte werkstatt" (Attention, goto the shop) half of the time. Nothing could be read out so they dug deep... Sometimes is just a stupid VERY simple thing...

EdzBenz

I had very similar symptoms that you all have described:
-Sputtering on startup
-Draining of battery because lengthy turnover of engine
-Mashing down the fuel pedal to help engine turnover

The OM606 fuel line seals deteriorate very easily. The seals need to be replaced more often than most MB diesels. As the seals deteriorate, air is let into the fuel lines. This is what causes the engine to sputter on startup. Once started, the auto-purge that our cars have helps to get rid of the air that is coming in during operation. Eventually, once your seals get bad enough, your enging will not turnover.

You should probably check your fuel line seals.