hi my 1990 230e auto for the last couple of months has gone from starting on the button fist time for 15 years to if not first time then usually not at all the car is in with a Merc trained mechanic but at the moment is stumped .unfortunatly he loaned his fuel pressure gauges out but never got them back. We put in a new ovp relay as the old one was rattling to no avail.Then tried a new pump relay as when he bypassed there lay it started every time. He feels the pump is ok but still think it is a pressure problem, hence if any one has any ideas or knows someone with a set of gauges in the Dagenham/Romford area (or is feeling guilty) please reply Under pressure now to get rid of the old girl

 

I would start with the normal things that go ,like leads distributor top plugs .rotor .Take the coil off and get it checked at auto electric garage .Fuel pressure check is a must .These things come to try us ,so dont part with it ,you will find a fix for it soon. EZL control boxes are getting short so if you can get one of these its worth it if only to keep as spare . Take the distributor top off check the carbon centre comtact in the top .They do wear out .

 

Hi no. 2
Sorry I have not replied, spent the weekend in soggy Wales with no internet. Got the car back from the garage today after 2weeks still no joy. Starts every time with the fuel pump relay out and looping across 2 of the pins sending 12 volts down to the pump, then putting the relay back it starts again 'cos the system is primed, after that it's back to square one. As I had a new pump about 5 years ago the mechanic think it is more likely to be the fuel regulator but without the pressure gauges he can't say for sure and it's going to be expensive which one I replace next. Looking hard to find someone with some gauges before I make the next move, unless anyone can help PLEASE !

 

boycle looks like you have the problem worked out ,and its the next thing i would do check pressure .Check it by puting it on google - how to check fuel pressures on mercedes w124 230e .Or even the youtube videos .A host of information on them both.If any thing i would say weak fuel pump. .But let us know wont you thnks

 

Going in on Monday to a new MB mech. Who seems confident he can cure the problem, keep you posted

 

Did you fit a fpr with the same number on as the one removed , or purchased an over the counter one. Check all earth pointsyou can find on body and on the engine, and all the small bore pipe ,and their rubber connections . Let us know how you get on ...

 

Just come across another 190e on another forum with the same problem .He found a pipe off under the phlenom chamber .Secured it with jubi clip alls well .Look for these pipes.

 

Hi Dreamer
Just to let you know, finally got it sorted and it was the fuel pump, although it took the guy best part of a week to diagnose it and would' nt let me have it back until he was 100% sure it was ok.he originally thought it could have been an electrical fault as he found a factory fitted alarm which was disconnected ( the first he had seen in over 30 years of working on w124's )and then maybe the fuel distributer which he was getting some strange readings on the pressure gauges. To be fair he gave me the choice for him to put a quite expensive Merc pump on or take it elsewhere to put on a "cheapie". I wish I had found this guy 15 years ago.
Thanks for your interest. Boyce

 

I also had the impression that the fuel pump is the main cause of the problem.