[:0] Fuel Injection Pump Rebuild $ ?

[k]

Hi,

My '68 250SL had been running with a rough idle; then it quit starting, and just kept cranking, and would not keep running unless, the gas was pushed down all the way. A garage that specializes in german cars reviewed the car, and concluded that the fuel pump was, and replaced it. They check for:

-Spark -OK
-Fuel pump not working-has power
-Drained fuel system
-Replaced all hoses to pump
-changed fouled fuel
-Engine ignition wires -OK
-Engine cylinder compression ok [170-195 psi]
-Clylider leakage-OK [1-3%;10%]

Now, the car is still running rough; and I have been told the Fuel INJECTION pump needs to be rebuilt; also that fuel is only being injected into cylinders # 1,2,4. I have heard quotes of $1000 to replace the whole Fuel Injection pump installed @ H&R Inj. on this site.

I have not heard a estimate back from my garage, but have decided if its over $1500; to go to H&R.

Kayvan
NY City
USA

[ja17]

Hello Kayvan,
Those injection pumps do not usually go bad all at once. Check the fuel filtr. What is the history on the car. Strange that the injection pump and electric fuel pump failed at the same time. Did you suck in a load of dirty or old fuel? It sounds like they have not found the real problem yet.


Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Shvegel]

It is possible that the original idle problem could have been the injection pump and the dead car was the fuel pump. I would guess that in every town there are German car Mechanics, Mercedes Mechanics and Old Mercedes mechanics. I would seek out a second opinion from an Old Mercedes Mechanic.
  I am a professional mechanic and the foreman of the dealership I work in. I am well versed in most foreign cars as well as many other forms of mechanical devices. All of that said when I bought my 280 SL I needed to learn a completely different language.
  You need to find the guy who says "You had a couple of stuck pistons in the injection pump so I freed them up" rather than "You need a new pump".

[k]

I agree with you; I spoke with Hans, who by the way is a super nice guy & spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me.  He said sight unseen worst case is $800 to do a whole rebuild, +labor extra (he is checking the #hr's per MB book) as the 250sl has an extra oil cooler and other oil lines that make removing it a pain.  He also recommended boiling the tank and having it coated; as it couild seize again if there is more sludge/rust; he drops a magnet in too check.  I guess that full tank of gasoline from 6/96 turned to varnish and seized up a couple of my pistons.  I know, I am an idiot; that's what happens when your are a workholic and drive these things half a dozen times a year for quick trips.  Anyway, my sense is my current garage knows I am on their tail, as i mentioned knowong what the Bosch injection pump rack/calibration machine look like with 10 glass graduated cylider beakers; he noted he would come back with hi-lo estimate from specialist in Danbury, CT?  Will keep you updated.  Overall, I have put in $150  into this car since 6/96, so I am ready to spend some bucks to have it ready for summer, and from now on it gets driven every other week for min. 20 miles!!!

[k]

Hi,

The car has had a rough idle since 6/96 after a top engine rebuild; the fuel-pump issue came up this summer when i couldn't get it started (kept cranking for 5 minutes).  As ridiclous, as this sounds it has a tank of gas that has been sittng since 6/96.  The car was used half dozen times a year  till 2002 to pop by the park and drive 5 miles, etc.  I know, I have another car BMW 635 CSI, and spent too much time working my tail off last few yrs.  Anyway, I am pretty sure the gas was gummed with varnish, gum; however the mechanics report said fuel strainer clean and inside tank OK, after he flushed "foul fuel" out.  Not sure if one can tell from color of fuel if its not that pinkcolor or something??  No mention of fuel filter; the report was quite extensive a nd listed 28 items checked/tested.  Will wait to Hear from Hans at H&R for estimate and competing estimate from Rennsport.

[ja17]

Hello Kayvan,
That information sheds a lot of light on the subject! Very long periods of inactivity and trying to run the car on bad fuel can lead to all kinds of problems. Chances are you will have to have the fuel system gone through.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Joe]

Before going to the expense you are anticipating, I'd first drain the old gas out and put in about five bucks worth of new gas. Then add a can of BG44K fuel injector cleaner. You can get it at NAPA and at most auto parts stores, but not places like Autozone. I used it annually in a BMW after paying for the injectors to be cleaned, and never had another problem with that. The guy who worked on my 356 Porsche swore by it - even used it straight from the can for tough cases.
Of course, the more gas you have in the tank, the weaker the cleaning solution; that's why I suggest putting in only a couple of gallons.
Joe

[drewsalisbury]

Kayvan - do you know the name of the specialist in Danbury, CT?  I live nearby, be good to know.
thanks, Drew

[Benz Dr.]

I think it's fair to point out out that there's an average cost to do something and then there's an unknown cost to do the same job.
In the real world most repairs fall somewhere in between but there are exceptions to the rule. Sometimes it's a loose wire and it's free. Other times you need a complete rebuild and a whole bunch of extra parts. I tell people that the particular job has been running X number of dollars so expect to pay near that price but to also look for unseen things. If it turns out OK then no one can say they had no idea.
If you suddenly found out that you needed a complete new fuel tank, lines , injection pump rebuild and a new fuel pump it wouldn't be $800.00 bucks.

Dan c
SL Barn


Daniel G Caron