Help. Fuel leak from here. Fuel Damper? (Picture)

[mario]

I noticed a strong gas smell and have tracked it down to a pretty significant fuel leak from this part. The one with the bolts and black "cap."  As you can see in the picture, it's clearly allowing fuel to leak out. It drips significantly when engine on. Can someone please identify this part for me?  Is this a rather common issue and hopefully just a gasket change? Was taking the wife out to dinner tonight in the Pagoda, but certainly will now leave it parked until I can diagnose and resolve issue.

Top picture is looking down onto the engine while standing at the left fender (Driver side for U.S.)  Other picture is a close up side view (albeit rotated picture).  Thanks for any help!

1969 280

[mario]

I have pulled the fuel damper and isolated the area of the leak. It seems as though the plastic and alloy halves of the fuel damper are not mating properly between the two bolts shown in these pics. I can clean off the fuel that seeps from between, then watch as it gradually seeps through that area again. I'm assuming my diaphram needs replacing but am concerned to separate the 2 halves for fear of making leak worse. As it is now, I can at least drive the car back to my storage garage and park there until I find a solution.

While searching a lot on this forum, I see that the diaphram kit is now listed as NLA. Has anyone found a source for a replacement kit?

[66andBlue]

Mario,
the diaphragm (p/n 127 070 0052) should be available from the dealer. If not then you can get from SLS (#61 in the pic):
http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/230-280SL-R113/07-mech-Einspritzung-Saugrohr/07-a-Einspritzanlage/Membrane-Daempferbehaelter-PES-Typen-Membrane-Daempferbehaelter-PES-Typen.html

[ctaylor738]

Last time I looked, the complete damper was available from Mercedes.  They also come up on eBay.

Cheers,

CT

[66andBlue]

Chuck is correct, the damper housing is available for a pittance  
p/n 1270701168 $208
not sure though whether that includes the diaphragm. Better check with the Classic center before you order it.

[mario]

Gentlemen, thanks for the replies. It's a little confusing as there are 2 part numbers for the entire damper. One on the back casing which corresponds to the 1270701168 part number. The Bakelite front portion of damper shows part number 1270780291. I've included pictures.

So the $208 may only be for the alloy back casing? In any event, I'll call the dealer on Monday to check it out. Thanks for the heads up!

[66andBlue]

You might get a more accurate answer from Tom Hanson at the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine:
Toll free 1-866-622-5277 or (949)598-4850

[mario]

Spoke to Tom today and he confirmed that part number is indeed the entire assembly.  He was quite surprised to see those come back in stock.  New fuel damper on the way from Germany.  Thanks all. 

[wwheeler]

Just so you know, these are rebuildable with available parts. So as long a the back and housing are not damaged, a simple diaphragm and spring are all that is needed. I would aslo replace the metal seal rings used on the fittings.

[mario]

Thanks. Unfortunately the bakelite part of mine is knicked up and that's my it's leaking. 

[mario]

Update: so while I wait for my new fuel damper to be delivered, I decided take the diaphragm out of the old one. Looks like I was the lucky winner of a quality control failure. At first I figured the damper was just pinched due to the spring not being properly pre-loaded, however after really looking at the diaphragm you can see that it is not symmetrical causing it to not seal correctly in the damper.

I wish they still made these and were not NLA.    Would be much easier to order by part number instead of trying to match it up to some other aftermarket diaphragm. Or, as in my case, buy a completely new damper.

[wwheeler]

When I rebuilt my damper, I used these part numbers  - 127 070 00 52  diaphragm and spring 127 993 00 01. I just bought the spring a diaphragm about two months ago. Are you sure they are NLA?

The trick to putting these back together is preloading the spring. When putting the halves together, the diaphragm HAS to be centered. Then the  screws are tightened. If not, it ends up like the picture. There is a circular rib on the aluminum base that pinches the diaphragm against the cap. That is what makes the seal. You can see the impression from that rib on the pictured part.

[Jkalplus1]

Gents,
When I parked it in November everything was perfect, no leaks.  I took it out of winter storage yesterday.  I started it and it immediately started leaking massively from the front left (driver's side) underside, just behind the horn.  Since I was alone, I could not check more in depth where it was leaking from.  From what I read, it seems a lot like what the OP wrote: car works, starts fine, operates, but leaks a lot of fuel.  I realized after a short drive because someone flagged me down wanting to purchase the car, then we both noticed the big puddle under the car. 

The top part of the engine was dry.  The fuel was dripping from around where the pan is. The pan got a good cleanup.  Since there was so much fuel, hot day, I was not too eager to slide under there and try to see.  Besides, if the car is not running I can't really ascertain where it is coming from.  I will make sure I have a friend with me next. He will start the car while I get in a position to see where the leak is.

Could it be something else? 

I will be driving 300 miles to make a second attempt and would like to get there equipped with all the parts I could potentially need to fix it.  This will be much cheaper than Flatbed to a specialist.  Can someone give me a best guess of what I could be needing to fix it?  I will get the parts listed above for the damper, but is there something else I should get?

Many thanks!

Jérôme

[Jonny B]

There are all sorts of connections and hoses in that area, by the fuel filter and FIP. I replaced one of the hoses that looked like it the surfaced was marked with acne. Several other members had seen the same type of mottling/bubbling on the hose. Seems unlikely that it would be the fuel filter canister if it was all okay when you parked it. If the gasket for the canister was pinched the leak would be apparent right away.

Usual things first, make sure the connections are tight, clamps all in place, hoses etc.

Will do a bit of searching to see if I can find the thread regarding the hose failure. I was not able to find the picture, but if you go to the "Search" tab, use "fuel hose" as the search string, and limit the searches to topic subject, you will get a single page of items, that can give you insight into what hoses you may need and some of the failure modes for the hoses.

[Jkalplus1]

Thanks Jonny B.
I did that and found a bunch of hoses in that area of the car:
108 476 00 26, -76.50$ CDN
108 476 02 26, -25. 50$ CDN
128 476 07 26, -15.21$ CDN and
113 476 09 26, 49.85$ CDN.  (I am sure there is a MBCA discount available, will inquire)

Called the MB dealer, who told me they were "in the system", special order from Germany.  But they could not tell me if they were NLA or in stock. I need to place the order, and within a week or two I will either receive the hoses or be told they are NLA.

I will try K&K I think they have them.  And if I speak with someone who knows these old cars they might be able to addvise me on which ones to get, so I have all possibilities covered and all the hoses that belong to this area so I don't make a 300 mile trip for nothing!  Also I suspect K&K might be able to get the stuff to me faster!

Thanks for taking the time to answer me. Much appreciated.