Engine shut down when is half tank
 

hello,

I have got a problem on my 1994 C180 Mercedes, Esprit Model. The Engine goes off when the fuel indicator is in half tank.
I have to refill the tank in order to turn on the engine or i must put about 5 liters of petrol.
please, any one can help on any comments or sugestions? anyting will be wellcomed.

thanks

Gomes

RE: Engine shut down when is half tank
 

Hello,
Since we don't have that model in the U.S., I can only tell you what happens with the "C" class models that we have in those years. If the fuel tank is the same design as the ones that we have here, the car is running out of gas even though it shows that the tank is half full. The reason is ther tank on that car is separated into two halves with the fuel sensors syphoning between the two halves of the tank. If this system is not working, the fuel will only come from one side of the tank and then when it runs out of fuel, it dies. One half of the tank IS still full, but since the syphon function is not working, it can't push the fuel to the other side of the tank. Either the sending units are bad, or the hose between the two tanks/sypon mechanism is not working.

question
 

My 98 C280 acted like it ran out of gas with quarter tank. Then acted like it ran out of gas with half tank. I know the gauge is correct from how many gallons it took to fill it and using my odometer. As soon as I add a gallon or so it starts and runs perfect. Does this sound like the problem your solution with fix? If so, how do I do it?

I have never faced this type of problem before. Have you been in any kind of accident?

I have a similar problem with my 1988 SE 300 model 126.As soon as the fuel tank guage registers under half tank the engine cuts out. If I switch it off and restart immediately it starts and runs for a short while then cuts out again etc. If I fill the tank it runs well and only cuts out occasionally. Anybody know what causes it and how to fix.? Neville

My issue was the fuel sender units. There are two. One on each side of the tank. As soon as I hit half tank my car ran out of fuel because the other side wasn't sending fuel to the side that was empty. Not sure if your car has the saddle style tank like mine but might want to look into it.