Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

[rudeafrican]

Are there any Mercedes techies or knowledgable owners around? My wife's ride is a older (90's) MB c220. Car's in excellent condition and runs beautifully. Only problem is it "runs out of fuel" even though there's still at least 25 litres of fuel left in the tank. I know this as the tank only takes another 35 litres to fill and the fuel gauge reads half.<br /><br />I've tried to trace the problem and discovered that the car actually have 2 tanks, 1 on either side. As far as I can see, it only has 1 fuel pump.<br /><br />Can anybody please explain to me how fuel get's from 1 tank to the other, how fuel gets to the fuel injection system and if this is a known problem with known solutions?<br /><br />Man this is stumping me big time. To remove the tanks is not really an option as you 1st need to remove the exhaust sytem, then the prop shaft and then half the rear suspension..

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

If it has no switch on it to switch between tanks, then it has to draw from both at the same time. Maybe only one has the fuel gauge sender in it and it could be faulty.<br /><br />I know my diesel truck has 2 tanks, but it has a switch to change from one to the other and each has it's own gauge sender.

 

[ob]

Re: Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

Skinnywater would know the details of it I'd bet.I believe he works for a Mercedes dealership.Perhaps he'll be around and shine some light on your issue.

 

[JB]

Re: Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

I will put this in Non-boating Tech.<br /><br />Skinnywater will be along soon.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

Not sure if you have the Bosh K Jetronic System or not if you do go to this link there must be a switch between the tanks <br /> http://www.auto-solve.com/mech_inj.htm#view

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

I've tried to trace the problem and discovered that the car actually have 2 tanks, 1 on either side. As far as I can see, it only has 1 fuel pump.<br /><br />Can anybody please explain to me how fuel get's from 1 tank to the other, how fuel gets to the fuel injection system and if this is a known problem with known solutions?

A saddle type tank that has two fuel senders and one external pump. Fuel is transmitted from one to the other by an internal venturi.<br />And yes there are common faults with the fuel senders. It's very possible the fuel guage is lying to you and your actually running out of fuel. There are modified/updated senders and they have to be replaced in pairs.<br />They are behind plastic plates under both sides of the tank. They are retained by a collar that requires a pin spanner to remove. Since they are removed from the underside of the tank the tank has to be empty before you remove the retaining collars. The left side sender has most of the internal plumbing. That plumbing actually goes to the other sender. The nylon pipes snap apart after snaking the sender from the tank. Care must be taken while doing the whole proceedure.<br /><br />Yep, not much I don't know about your C-class.<br />Nice car when they're maintained. I liked them so well working on them, that on Valentines Day two years ago, I got my wife got a real pretty silver '99 C230 Kompressor. <br />She lets me scuff the tires in every now and then. <br /><br />Happy to help you anytime.<br />bachelor@stormnet.com

 

[rudeafrican]

Re: Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

Thanks dolluper and skinnywater.<br /><br />The car is a right hand drive so I don't know if the tank setup is the same way round. The right hand tank has the pump and filter. I've opened up the two sender units, on the right hand one only about a cup of fuel ran out. The left hand one was still full of fuel. I'll drain the tanks this weekend and remove the sender units and check that the plumbing is still ok.<br /><br />Does the hose from the left tank to the fuel injection system act as a return line? From the right hand hose the pump pushes fuel towards the fuel injection system. If I disconnect the hose from the left hand tank no fuel returns to or exits from the tank.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Any Mercedes Benz techie's in the house?

Email me direct and I'll scan the 6 pages out of the factory service manuel and send them to you.<br />It has pictures, descriptions and everything you might need, for a USA model anyhow.