From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Thu Feb 14 06:53:27 2008 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Thursday, February 14 2008 Volume 01 : Number 2658 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor RE: fsj: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor [db] 95 E300 Diesel fuel problem Re: fsj: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor Re: [db] 95 E300 Diesel fuel problem Re: [db] 95 E300 Diesel fuel problem Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:18:31 -0600 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor [Issue is resolved. Just trying to get a fresh thread going on the lists.] My 89 300CE just about scared the stuffing out of me yesterday. Like most of us apparently, I've got a big bunch of stuff going on in my life these days, and I think the description I prefer is, "My money's not as liquid as I would like right now." That's part of why I passed on that recent 1980 W116 300SD in amazing shape recently. (Would have made a TREMENDOUS daily driver that would help identify the fellow car nuts at work.) So I'm driving home from the office yesterday. It's about 30 miles, but driving from the tech area of Austin, Texas (183 and Braker) northeast to Taylor rarely takes more than 45 minutes even during rush hour. And while I'm not fond of how the new toll roads were rushed through the paperwork into construction, they sure are nice. 70MPH speed limit, no stops, and the toll tag sticker on the windshield, so you can cruise right on through the collection points. They save me 10 minutes consistently. Anyway, I'm driving home on non-toll roads, with more stop-and-go than the pricey route, and I notice the oil pressure gauge only pegs when I hit nearly 2500RPM, and at idle at the next intersection, IT DROPS TO ZERO! Pull into a side neighborhood and shut her down. Take a deep breath. Nothing dripping on the ground, and no particularly strong oil smell from the engine. (There's always a weak one. The old girl does leak a good bit.) Level looks a little low on the dipstick, so I poured a whole quart in. (We old Benzers always have a couple quarts in the trunk.) Start her up, and I can keep oil pressure above 1.5 bar if I stay above 1500RPM, and it still looks pegged by 2500. Made some phone calls, and nursed her home, shifting into neutral while still approaching intersections so I could keep the revs up. This is just not as much fun with an automatic. Arranged for a tow for this morning to take me and the car to the shop, then me via a courtesy driver to the office. They take it off the flatbed after we reach the shop, they start my car, and pressure looks reasonable. Grr. Mechanic suggests the oil pressure sender, especially since the engine sounded and felt absolutely normal the whole time it was reading funky oil pressure. He drives a 91 300E that he confessed to finding for $2,000, so there's a chance he knows what he's talking about. One hour of labor, $82 retail price for the part (just checked on Rusty's site; he sells it for 68), and she's fine and dandy to come home. Yeah, Baby. We escaped a potential showstopper, as we say in QA. And I may have found a new mechanic to stick with, which is handy since Ben Schotz sold his interest in Ben's Workshop. German Auto Center in Austin, on the 183 access road a couple blocks north of Lamar, right next to Discount Tire. (And Leonard's Muffler Shop, which did good by me with a recent exhaust leak.) [I suppose this should be considered an official recommendation to the lists.] So that was my fun for the week, thank you very much. Driving home with low oil pressure readings for unknown reasons is definitely exciting, but I'm really not sure I'd care to do it again. Ever. Happy Benzing all, Alec Cordova Taylor, Texas 89 300CE, 233K ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:43:03 -0800 From: Kevin Subject: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor Unfortunately, this isn't something that will make a jeep owner flinch. Once you've owned a vehicle whose gauges are for amusement purposes only, your first guess for low oil pressure out of the blue is the sender or the gauge. Especially if you can't hear your hydraulic valve train making noise. So, on one of the full size jeeps, I hooked up a mechanical autometer gauge to see just how low my oil pressure was. It was on the upper end of spec, no problems at all, which was good, I didn't feel like rebuilding a 401... Until I drove over a pothole, causing the precariously ran nylon line to jump off its perch and land on an exhaust manifold. Then both gauges read low as smoke started billowing out from under the hood. OOPS. that oil leak wasn't the jeep's fault :) sad thing about jeeps is I actually keep a spare jeep oil pressure sender on the shelf in the garage... On Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 08:18:31PM -0600, Alec Cordova wrote: > So that was my fun for the week, thank you very much. Driving home with low > oil pressure readings for unknown reasons is definitely exciting, but I'm > really not sure I'd care to do it again. Ever. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:54:32 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor only one spare? :) I have literally used chewing gum, toilet paper, duct tape and bailing wire... on my full size jeeps... but not on my mercedes... I wonder why that is?... :) ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Wed, 13 Feb 2008, Kevin wrote: # Unfortunately, this isn't something that will make a jeep owner flinch. # Once you've owned a vehicle whose gauges are for amusement purposes only, # your first guess for low oil pressure out of the blue is the sender or the # gauge. Especially if you can't hear your hydraulic valve train making noise. # # So, on one of the full size jeeps, I hooked up a mechanical autometer gauge to # see just how low my oil pressure was. It was on the upper end of spec, no # problems at all, which was good, I didn't feel like rebuilding a 401... # # Until I drove over a pothole, causing the precariously ran nylon line to jump # off its perch and land on an exhaust manifold. # # Then both gauges read low as smoke started billowing out from under the hood. # # OOPS. # # that oil leak wasn't the jeep's fault :) # # sad thing about jeeps is I actually keep a spare jeep oil pressure sender # on the shelf in the garage... # # On Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 08:18:31PM -0600, Alec Cordova wrote: # > So that was my fun for the week, thank you very much. Driving home with low # > oil pressure readings for unknown reasons is definitely exciting, but I'm # > really not sure I'd care to do it again. Ever. # ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:39:07 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: RE: fsj: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor actually I've had more than one 123 series mercedes that had the dashboard oiled... :) ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Thu, 14 Feb 2008, michel balea wrote: # I never liked those nylon lines running across the engine bay, under the # dash.... # # Many years ago.... while being driven in a fiat... or autobianchi.... on a # rainy day... i felt something dripping on my shoes, move my feet.... another # leaky windshield.... nope... leaky oil pressure line.... # # In fact the mercedes has a mechanical gauge... and they do not seem to leak... # need to check the material used. # # Michel # # > Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:54:32 -0800 # > From: john-at-wagoneers.com # > To: kevin-at-mordred.punk.net # > CC: benzaholic-at-gmail.com; fsj-at-digest.net; diesel-benz-at-digest.net # > Subject: fsj: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil # pressure sensor # > # > only one spare? :) # > # > I have literally used chewing gum, toilet paper, duct tape # > and bailing wire... on my full size jeeps... but not on my mercedes... # > # > I wonder why that is?... :) # > # > ----- # > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- # > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # > http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** # > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- # > # > # > On Wed, 13 Feb 2008, Kevin wrote: # > # > # Unfortunately, this isn't something that will make a jeep owner flinch. # > # Once you've owned a vehicle whose gauges are for amusement purposes # only, # > # your first guess for low oil pressure out of the blue is the sender or # the # > # gauge. Especially if you can't hear your hydraulic valve train making # noise. # > # # > # So, on one of the full size jeeps, I hooked up a mechanical autometer # gauge to # > # see just how low my oil pressure was. It was on the upper end of spec, no # > # problems at all, which was good, I didn't feel like rebuilding a 401... # > # # > # Until I drove over a pothole, causing the precariously ran nylon line to # jump # > # off its perch and land on an exhaust manifold. # > # # > # Then both gauges read low as smoke started billowing out from under the # hood. # > # # > # OOPS. # > # # > # that oil leak wasn't the jeep's fault :) # > # # > # sad thing about jeeps is I actually keep a spare jeep oil pressure # sender # > # on the shelf in the garage... # > # # > # On Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 08:18:31PM -0600, Alec Cordova wrote: # > # > So that was my fun for the week, thank you very much. Driving home # with low # > # > oil pressure readings for unknown reasons is definitely exciting, but # I'm # > # > really not sure I'd care to do it again. Ever. # > # # # _________________________________________________________________ # Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging. You IM, we give. # http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join # ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:36:37 -0600 From: Jon Filina Subject: [db] 95 E300 Diesel fuel problem Ok, now that Alec started a new thread, I felt it was about time I did the same. For the last couple of months, I have had a problem starting "Ernestine" after she's been sitting for two hours or more. The longer the car has been sitting, the more pronounced the problem is. The problem: The car starts right up. Within 10 seconds the engine starts to lose rpm like it is starving for fuel. If I am fast enough and get the rpm to around 1000, she stays running. If not, she dies. If I am able to keep the engine running, the apparent fuel starvation clears up within 15-30 seconds and runs fine after that. If it dies, it cranks like it does after swapping out the fuel filter. But, it does start. I do have to keep the rpm up for a few seconds, but everything is ok after that. The starting problem seems to be worse after sitting all night and in colder weather. So far, we've replaced the fuel filter (spin on) and all the fuel return lines. Those were rock hard and leaking like a sieve. Anyone have this problem before? I thought the fuel cap may be the culprit, but I doubt it. On the '94 & '95 diesels, are there additional sensors governing the fuel flow? I had a similar problem on my '81 Rabbit and it turned out to be the front seal on the injection pump. "Ernestine's" pump is dry.... Any thoughts from the collective? Jon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:26:14 +0000 From: "Stephen Rigley" Subject: Re: fsj: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil pressure sensor I've 2 pairs of shoes at home that'll tell that story too ;-) On Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 7:39 AM, john wrote: > actually I've had more than one 123 series mercedes that had the dashboard > oiled... :) > > ----- > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > On Thu, 14 Feb 2008, michel balea wrote: > > # I never liked those nylon lines running across the engine bay, under > the > # dash.... > # > # Many years ago.... while being driven in a fiat... or autobianchi.... > on a > # rainy day... i felt something dripping on my shoes, move my feet.... > another > # leaky windshield.... nope... leaky oil pressure line.... > # > # In fact the mercedes has a mechanical gauge... and they do not seem to > leak... > # need to check the material used. > # > # Michel > # > # > Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:54:32 -0800 > # > From: john-at-wagoneers.com > # > To: kevin-at-mordred.punk.net > # > CC: benzaholic-at-gmail.com; fsj-at-digest.net; diesel-benz-at-digest.net > # > Subject: fsj: Re: [db] Lemme tell ya a little story about a dying oil > # pressure sensor > # > > # > only one spare? :) > # > > # > I have literally used chewing gum, toilet paper, duct tape > # > and bailing wire... on my full size jeeps... but not on my > mercedes... > # > > # > I wonder why that is?... :) > # > > # > ----- > # > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > # > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > # > http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** > # > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > # > > # > > # > On Wed, 13 Feb 2008, Kevin wrote: > # > > # > # Unfortunately, this isn't something that will make a jeep owner > flinch. > # > # Once you've owned a vehicle whose gauges are for amusement > purposes > # only, > # > # your first guess for low oil pressure out of the blue is the > sender or > # the > # > # gauge. Especially if you can't hear your hydraulic valve train > making > # noise. > # > # > # > # So, on one of the full size jeeps, I hooked up a mechanical > autometer > # gauge to > # > # see just how low my oil pressure was. It was on the upper end of > spec, no > # > # problems at all, which was good, I didn't feel like rebuilding a > 401... > # > # > # > # Until I drove over a pothole, causing the precariously ran nylon > line to > # jump > # > # off its perch and land on an exhaust manifold. > # > # > # > # Then both gauges read low as smoke started billowing out from > under the > # hood. > # > # > # > # OOPS. > # > # > # > # that oil leak wasn't the jeep's fault :) > # > # > # > # sad thing about jeeps is I actually keep a spare jeep oil pressure > # sender > # > # on the shelf in the garage... > # > # > # > # On Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 08:18:31PM -0600, Alec Cordova wrote: > # > # > So that was my fun for the week, thank you very much. Driving > home > # with low > # > # > oil pressure readings for unknown reasons is definitely > exciting, but > # I'm > # > # > really not sure I'd care to do it again. Ever. > # > # > # > # _________________________________________________________________ > # Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging. You IM, we > give. > # http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join > # ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:03:57 -0500 From: Mike Frank Subject: Re: [db] 95 E300 Diesel fuel problem You must have another fuel leak. Go through the system, starting with the pickup and return hoses at the bottom of the tank, and replace all the rubber. Mike Frank At 02:36 AM 2/14/2008, you wrote: >"Ernestine's" pump is dry.... >Any thoughts from the collective? ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:49:51 -0500 From: "J.B. Hebert" Subject: Re: [db] 95 E300 Diesel fuel problem Your '95 also has an in-tank screen and a prefilter that is mounted right next to the spin-on filter. When I did my suspention overhaul last summer, I dropper the in tank screen and it was NASTY. All full of gunk. After replacing it (usually you can rinse them, but this one was too gross to clean) I noticed significant improvements in drivability. I would at least change the prefilter, since it catches most of the bigger chunks before they get to the spin-on. Lastly, the 606 motor uses an electronic idle control solenoid that might not be working correctly to keep the car running properly when cold. If you manually give it some fuel, does it still feel like it's starving? If it revs up fine with the pedal, I might suspect that solenoid. Good luck. J.B. At 02:36 AM 2/14/2008, Jon Filina wrote: >Ok, now that Alec started a new thread, I felt it was about time I >did the same. > >For the last couple of months, I have had a problem starting >"Ernestine" after she's been sitting for two hours or more. The >longer the car has been sitting, the more pronounced the problem is. > >The problem: The car starts right up. Within 10 seconds the engine >starts to lose rpm like it is starving for fuel. If I am fast >enough and get the rpm to around 1000, she stays running. If not, she dies. >If I am able to keep the engine running, the apparent fuel >starvation clears up within 15-30 seconds and runs fine after >that. If it dies, it cranks like it does after swapping out the >fuel filter. But, it does start. I do have to keep the rpm up for >a few seconds, but everything is ok after that. > >The starting problem seems to be worse after sitting all night and >in colder weather. > >So far, we've replaced the fuel filter (spin on) and all the fuel >return lines. Those were rock hard and leaking like a sieve. > >Anyone have this problem before? I thought the fuel cap may be the >culprit, but I doubt it. On the '94 & '95 diesels, are there >additional sensors governing the fuel flow? I had a similar problem >on my '81 Rabbit and it turned out to be the front seal on the >injection pump. >"Ernestine's" pump is dry.... >Any thoughts from the collective? > >Jon > > > >-- >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: >269.20.5/1278 - Release Date: 2/14/2008 10:28 AM J.B. Hebert - ---------------------------------------------- Current Vehicles: '76 Ford Bronco '78 Volvo 262C Bertone V8 '80 Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe '82 Mercedes 300CD (Deceased) '93 GMC Sierra 2500 '95 Mercedes E300D Sportline+ - -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.5/1278 - Release Date: 2/14/2008 10:28 AM ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #2658 **********************************