One for the mechanics

[upinsmoke]

Hi bought a merc e320 about 3 years ago scrap money. It had not been used for 2 years before that came with almost a full tank of petrol,drove it a few times went very well. then drove it to some land that i have and its sat there for the last two years. decided that now i need to to use it so tryed to start it today ran about 3 mins then wont fire.
I think that maybe the fuel being 5 years old must at this stage be no good ,so think of sucking the rest of it out and trying some fresh may help.
Does anyone have some suggestions as to clearing fuel line to the injecters or have i now ******ed the injectors, or is there a filter somewear that could be changed after the tank suck out.
Hoping some may know what to do.

 

[shenion]

Usually filters are just past the tank.

My Mustang sat for 9 years. i pumped out the sludge in the tank and put in fresh gas.

The fuel pump had rusted and jammed so had to put in another. I also replaced the filter. 6 months later I needed to change the filter again.

See if you can hear the fuel pump running. A fuel pressure gauge may help.

The injectors may clean up with cleaner added to the tank, will take a while.

 

[jay1800si]

There will be a fuel filter between the tank and the engine. Usually close to the tank. Old petrol can cause all sorts of problems. Worth a try with new fuel though.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

With any luck, the fuel won't have emulsified so drain the system completely and use fresh. As said, change all the filters inc air and I'd give her new plugs too.

A strong dose of Fuel System Cleaner in with the new fuel won't do any harm.

Also, if access isn't too difficult, check the flexible fuel line sections for signs of perishing.

 

[super noob]

Fuel filter if lucky will be in engine bay so just replace or if by tank again replace, drain tank and put in a little more

Or if you know the pressure of the inline pump, in my case Rover V8 is 30psi so when I try mine just dump it in the jerry can with the return fuel line to the tank and see if it'll fire

 

[hotrodder]

Which flavour e320- a w124, a w210 etc? My daily is a w124 320, there's a large allen key headed bolt (19mm iirc) in the bottom tank which is the tank strainer/pick up filter and drain. Trace the fuel line from the tank that heads towards the offside rear wheel and you'll find the 'proper' fuel filter by the fuel pumps

If it is a w124 then be aware that between '93 and '96 these came with comedy wiring looms that even the prince of darkness would be ashamed of- they switched to a more environmental insulation that was more biodegradable, unfortunatly they rot from the under bonnet temps, the insulation falls apart and, well you can guess the result. The LT wires to the coil packs are the most prone as they're baked inside the rocker cover and if they short out they can take out the ecu. Be VERY careful if/when disturbing underbonnet wiring unless you know the loom has been changed. Don't ask what they cost!!

ETA if it is a w124 workshop manual here... http://www.w124performance.com/service/Index/104index.html it's American and they didn't change the name from 300 to 320 so the relevant bits are M104 engine and post '93

 

[normspanners]

Take the plugs out and see if they are wet with fuel if so give them a dry, if they are dry try a squirt of easi start in the inlet and see if it fires. if it does its the fuel supply if it doesnt it is the ign ie plug leads coil pack etc

 

[upinsmoke]

merc e320

Thanks everybody for your replys its almost as if the welders forum is the solution to all my problems no matter what .
The e320 is a p reg avantgard estate,so may be the one with silly wireing loom. Will try to drain the tank and put some fresh in will look for the filters as in hotrodders post but its almost sunk into the mud up to its axles,and from what little i know of autos it needs the engine running to be able to tow it out with my girlfriends discovery
Yesterday was loverly a sunny so as i was trying to start it i opened the windows, then the battery went flat, with the effort of turnning it over. this morning just my luck it was rainning hard,however got them shut with manuel help and a charged battery.
Anyone got ideas as what too do with about 5 galls of 6 years old petrol.

 

[normspanners]

Put some of the fuel in a clear bottle and have a look at it if it is cloudy sling it if it is nice and clear I would just keep putting 1/2 gal in with every fill up, and use it with that dilution you will not notice the difference.

 

[hotrodder]

Avantgard would make it an early w210 (4 round/eliptical headlights) unless someone's been playing with badges so it should be safe from the comedy engine looms- w124 and w210 overlapped a little depending on bodystyle, the loom thing applied to 124 and it's C and S class equivilants. I wouldn't worry too much about the autobox unless your towing it some distance- the official line will be something along the lines of more than 30 miles and/or 30mph and you need to get the driven wheels off the ground or disconnect the prop

 

[upinsmoke]

merc old fuel

Yes thanks for that advice hotrodder towed her out today out of the mud found the 19 mm hex drain plug on bottom of fuel tank. should now be able to make a start on it. Found some type of bleed nut on the end of fuel rail to the injectors it seemed to be under pressure when the needle was pressed. The fuel from this burnt in a cup did not burn as well as new fuel in the same cup. So must drain and replace fuel in tank, but how do i get rid whats in the fuel line and rail feeding the injectors.
Also found found two pipes no more than 4mm going onto offside front wing area one white one green eaten though by mice . Dont think this has anything with starting problem but may be somthing to do some type of tractron control that again dont understand.

 

[arceyered]

duff fuel smells like vanish but don.t smell it to often as they will come and take you away

 

[arceyered]

sorry varnish

 

[normspanners]

duff fuel smells like vanish but don.t smell it to often as they will come and take you away

would you then vanish??

 

[octo0072000]

Yes thanks for that advice hotrodder towed her out today out of the mud found the 19 mm hex drain plug on bottom of fuel tank. should now be able to make a start on it. Found some type of bleed nut on the end of fuel rail to the injectors it seemed to be under pressure when the needle was pressed. The fuel from this burnt in a cup did not burn as well as new fuel in the same cup. So must drain and replace fuel in tank, but how do i get rid whats in the fuel line and rail feeding the injectors.
Also found found two pipes no more than 4mm going onto offside front wing area one white one green eaten though by mice . Dont think this has anything with starting problem but may be somthing to do some type of tractron control that again dont understand.

does central locking work on vacuum or am i thinking of of older models

 

[hotrodder]

I think it'll be the same set up as mine, central locking is still vacuum but there's a leccy pump involved instead of the vacuum resevoir used on earlier models. Headlamp levelling is vacuum on a w124, on a 210 it might depend on the lights fitted as xenons would be automatic rather than a manual 0 - 3 roller switch next to the main light switch? Lots of vacuum lines about regardless though

Just disconnect the fuel line return to purge the liines/fuel rail

A whole bunch of w210 specific DIY stuff here... http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-Benz/MBZ_Tech_Index_old.htm