97 e300D power loss at 1/4 tank
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 65
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From: alabama
1997 mercedes e300d
97 e300D power loss at 1/4 tank
I have a question. I bought a 97 E300D and have driven the car about 60,000 miles. I ran out of gas twice because the light would come on and the car would stop within 10 miles. I have noticed since, that whenever the car gets to about 1/4 tank, way before the light, I lose power. There are about 4 gallons remaining in the tank and I assume air is getting into the line. My question is, is there a pick-up inside the tank that may have failed? Is this going to be another outrageous repair? I have never had this happen and my mechanic, now on a first name basis, says he would have to "take a look", but he did not understand why something like that would happen.
I have had power issues before and spent close to $4,000 in repairs only to find out it was Shell brand gas that was causing the surging. Thanks for your help and input.
I have had power issues before and spent close to $4,000 in repairs only to find out it was Shell brand gas that was causing the surging. Thanks for your help and input.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 1
W210 W140
Joe,
Check your plastic fuel lines that are under the hood. These are the lines that run to and from your fuel filter, injection pump, etc. They get brittle and the rubber seals go bad very easy. Once the seals go bad it will introduce air into your fuel system and you will see a decrease in power. Eventually, the car won't be able to start because there's too much air in there. Its a cheap fix if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. Have a buddy try turning the engine over while you look at the plastic lines. Do you see air bubbles coming through? If there are bubbles, then it is probably the bad lines and seals.
Check your plastic fuel lines that are under the hood. These are the lines that run to and from your fuel filter, injection pump, etc. They get brittle and the rubber seals go bad very easy. Once the seals go bad it will introduce air into your fuel system and you will see a decrease in power. Eventually, the car won't be able to start because there's too much air in there. Its a cheap fix if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. Have a buddy try turning the engine over while you look at the plastic lines. Do you see air bubbles coming through? If there are bubbles, then it is probably the bad lines and seals.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: alabama
1997 mercedes e300d
lines have been checked
I was having a previous power issue that turned out ot be related to a certain brand of gas I had been using, but my mechanic and I checked those lines and they were OK. My question to you is, if the lines were leaking air, wouldn't the symptoms occurr all the time? This just happens when the car gets to around 1/4 tank. I will accellerate and the car will sputter, surge, and decrease speed as if running out of gas. If I fill the tank, I usually put in 15-17 gallons of gas, which leaves about 3-4 gallons in the tank, before the "low fuel" light ever comes on.
