hwrd666

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

Plutoe

This only repeat only happens with a full tank???

hwrd666

She always fills the tank, and on the last two fills this problem has occurred.
Those are the only times the problem has occurred.

It has not been checked with a partial fill.

Plutoe

Based on your reply, I am going to assume the following---that at any level except full there is not a starting problem.

If that is correct do not have your wife spend anything, let alone 2000 bucks.

On the next fill up-----don't fill full, just fill to three quarters-----do you have starting issues??

hwrd666

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.

Plutoe

Once again and based upon your comments, I do not think the problem has anything to do with the intake manifold-----what is it then----I don't have enough information and will await to see if the problem is duplicated at the next fill(I randomly picked three quarters, you can refill to any level, just do not fill the tank)!!

"and what would it mean if there wasn't?"-----I havent the FFI!!!

hwrd666

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.

Plutoe

You gotta do what you gotta do-------I am 1000 miles away from the car and loads of suppositions.

The dealer has excellent diagnostic equipment and has the car and therefore must know MUCH more than me!! I am finished commenting!!

hwrd666

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.

Plutoe

I have extremely thick skin, however can appreciate you apprehension, but remember service writers are not mechanics----you just have to provide as much detail to the writer as possible and wait for the feedback they receive from the mechanic.

The most difficult problems to solve are very similar to yours---no faults, potentially random and or situation oriented that are not always reproducible------all that does not make for a trustfull situation when we the consumer are looking for a concrete answer----------lets just wait and see what the mechanic has to say!!

mtrevelino

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.

mtrevelino

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.

hwrd666

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.

hwrd666

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.

loudbmw

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.