Hard start after fuel fill
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E 350
Hard start after fuel fill
The last two times my wife has filled the gas tank in her 2008 E 350, the car would not start until after setting for five to ten minutes. I mean she had to sit at the pump for that period of time. She verified that the gas cap was on securely. This is the only time the car has been hard to start, and otherwise runs great. It has about 130,000 miles on it.
The dealer says she needs a new intake manifold ($2,000) because of a broken flap. I'm aware of the two sets of flaps on the manifold, and can see where a problem there might cause a minor loss of power, but I can't believe that it would cause the problem she has.
Anyone have any thoughts on this that may help me before she coughs up a big chunk of change?
Thanks very much,
Howard
The dealer says she needs a new intake manifold ($2,000) because of a broken flap. I'm aware of the two sets of flaps on the manifold, and can see where a problem there might cause a minor loss of power, but I can't believe that it would cause the problem she has.
Anyone have any thoughts on this that may help me before she coughs up a big chunk of change?
Thanks very much,
Howard
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E 350
The only starting problem was immediately after filling. Right there at the pump.
What are your suspicions on the problem?
What would it mean to you if there was a problem with a 3/4 fill, and what would it mean if there wasn't?
I want to thank you for your assistance on this.
What are your suspicions on the problem?
What would it mean to you if there was a problem with a 3/4 fill, and what would it mean if there wasn't?
I want to thank you for your assistance on this.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E 350
Do you have any idea what it might mean if the problem was duplicated with a less-than-full refill?
The damn car is at the dealer now, and I'm trying to decide if I want to encourage my wife to yank it out of there. Until now, she has been happy with the service she's gotten there, and if I pull the car out it will just **** off the service dept.
The damn car is at the dealer now, and I'm trying to decide if I want to encourage my wife to yank it out of there. Until now, she has been happy with the service she's gotten there, and if I pull the car out it will just **** off the service dept.
Last edited by hwrd666; Oct 18, 2013 at 01:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E 350
Didn't mean to **** you off, Plutoe.
I'm just trying to figure out if the dealer's service dept. knows what they're talking about.
I don't believe they do.
I appreciate your attempt to help me. Thanks.
I'm just trying to figure out if the dealer's service dept. knows what they're talking about.
I don't believe they do.
I appreciate your attempt to help me. Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 563
Likes: 31
From: The Villages, Florida
2006 E320 CDI
I would fill the tank with the engine running. Then drive it a short distance, under five miles, shut it off, wait five minutes, and see if it fails to start. I do not know what could be wrong, but this is just one other step to try. My hunch is something with the charcoal canister system.
Mike T.
Mike T.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 563
Likes: 31
From: The Villages, Florida
2006 E320 CDI
Another thing came to my mind. When your wife fills the vehicle, does she continue to pump gas into the tank after the nozzle shuts off? Once the nozzle shuts off, I would not pump another penny into the tank. Just another suggestion.
Mike T.
Mike T.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E 350
As an ex-mechanic (from many years ago before computer-operated cars), I know that intermittent or situational problems can be absolute nightmares and near-impossible to diagnose.
It is my understanding that the mechanic came up with the idea that the intake manifold needed replacing. At 130,000 miles, it's reasonable to believe that there may be a problem with one of the flaps, and that the mechanic uncovered that fact. My issue is that I cannot understand how this specific problem could be caused by a problem with one of these flaps.
If I thought that the dealer knew much more than the people who post on this forum, then I wouldn't be posting my question here.
It is my understanding that the mechanic came up with the idea that the intake manifold needed replacing. At 130,000 miles, it's reasonable to believe that there may be a problem with one of the flaps, and that the mechanic uncovered that fact. My issue is that I cannot understand how this specific problem could be caused by a problem with one of these flaps.
If I thought that the dealer knew much more than the people who post on this forum, then I wouldn't be posting my question here.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E 350
Mike,
Thanks for your input.
No, my wife never tries to top it off. She just takes the nozzle out when it cuts off.
In the normal course of a day, it is typical for her to make one or more short trips with a short stop between, as you suggest. There has never been a problem.
Thanks for your input.
No, my wife never tries to top it off. She just takes the nozzle out when it cuts off.
In the normal course of a day, it is typical for her to make one or more short trips with a short stop between, as you suggest. There has never been a problem.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
17 E300, 17 C300, 14 C250
I had the identical problem on my 2005 C320 with 130,000 miles. Changing the crankshaft position sensor solved the issue (tried the camshaft position first with no luck).
My theory was the crank position sensor was fine when the engine was cool. Car would not restart during the short time for the fuel fill up as the CPS was now hot. Waiting a few minutes gives it time to cool and work again.
The part is not too expensive but a tight fit to install yourself.
My theory was the crank position sensor was fine when the engine was cool. Car would not restart during the short time for the fuel fill up as the CPS was now hot. Waiting a few minutes gives it time to cool and work again.
The part is not too expensive but a tight fit to install yourself.
