Fuel Problem

[rbouch8828]

After getting back my original fuel injection pump after being rebuilt by Pacific last year, my car had been running like a dream. Saturday, I took it out for its first long run of the season and drove it for an hour plus up to Manchester, NH and another hour plus back here to Framingham, MA. It was just singing along until I made the turn off the highway to come onto the secondary road that leads to our condo complex. That exit is an uphill exit with a stop light at the top. As I got toward the light, I could feel the power dyeing and I pressed the accelerator, but quickly realized I had better go into a lower gear. I figured it might be the “Fuel Saver” solenoid getting stuck in the on position, so I drove the rest of the way in 1st and 2nd gear.
However, when I turned onto the entry road for our condo complex it died in first gear and would not restart.
I had AAA tow me to my unit and I got it back in the garage where I disconnected the fuel saver and tried starting. It started on the first turn but then died after a couple of revs. On each successive attempt it ran for fewer turns.
My hearing isn’t good enough to tell if the fuel pump is running.
Thoughts???
Best,
Roland

[dirkbalter]

I had a similar problem and it was the fuel pump fuse at the time.
If you literally touch the pump you should be able to tell if it’s running.

[rbouch8828]

Ok, thanks, I’ll check it out.

[TJMart]

Sounds like what happened to me last year. You may want to check your points. They could be burnt or closed together.

Tony

[rbouch8828]

Today I pulled the fuel filter and it was totally black!!! Just covered in dirty gas! Same thing at the little screens on the heads of the injectors! Just filthy. I couldn’t find a replacement filter today, but tomorrow I will be able to and I will drain the tank and replace both the filters and pour in new gas. I also used my compressor to clean off those screens on the heads on the injectors.
Hopefully that will take care of the problem.

[dirkbalter]

Since you already doing that, I suggest you pull the cap of your fuel pump and check /clean the vanes as well.
(A friend of mine burned up his pump according to his mechanic who put in a new one. A couple of hundred miles later he was stuck again. We saved the (new) pump, but that's what it looked like.)

[teahead]

stupid question:  is there a fuel filter that goes BEFORE the pump?

If not, has anyone put one in there and what type/size to put?

[dirkbalter]

The pump itself has a screen type filter build in but there is imo no harm in putting a filter inline, after the tank.

[rwmastel]

The fuel tank has a screen, it's that allen wrench plug looking thing on the bottom of the tank.  Yes, people have put a paper element filter in-line between tank and electric pump.

[BaronYoungman]

I suggest getting a clear in line fuel filter from NAPA put it in between the tank and rear fuel pump. Visually check it once a year for debris ..ie rust particles..  Also I believe Kent ..mercedes source in Oregon sells a kit for that but I don't think it is clear.
Bob
Baronyoungman@hotmail.com

[Lorsar]

The mercedessource filter is clear.  Their kit includes 2 filters, hose and clamps. I purchased it last year.  Here a pic of mine before I replaced my gas tank. 

https://mercedessource.com/store/early-fuel-injection-electric-fuel-pump-pre-filter-upgrade-kit

[Pawel66]

My 2 cents: what I came across was that the original fuel lines are 9mm ID while most in-line filters (at least here in Europe) are 8mm ID. Mercedessource sells them slightly modified (with sleeves) to match the IDs. I found some in-line filters for diesel that were 9mm ID and fit was good.

[dirkbalter]

I was looking for 9mm ID ones but could find them. I ended up buying and installing below. Works fine as well.
Amazon has them as well.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/frm-g3