I thought I would let my would be Mercedes Techs in training.... Er.... I mean Mercedes Owners know that we have found that depending on which pump fails you can still see a litte over 1 liter of fuel in 40 seconds.
Thats right folks... If you pull your main pressure line (The one that goes into the fuel distributor) and perform a fuel pump volume test you are NOT out of the woods just because you are seeing 1 liter or more of volume in 40 seconds.
Recently we found this out with our most recent restoration of a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL. Testing for 12Volts at both pumps is where you would start. Having someone turn on and off the vehicle while feeling each one of the pumps can also net results when trying to track down a faulty fuel pump. Pumps will only run for a few seconds when you turn the key on, but they should stay running when the engine has been started.
Mercedes-Benz W126 V8 Sedans were designed to ensure that even if one pump fails, you will still be able to make it where you are going. While you will most certianly feel the loss of power, you can limp it home, or wherever depending on your schedual. In my case it was home, to court the next monring, then to get groceries and finally back home to have the pumps replaced.
Got to love when your vehicle has fail safe's built in.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
I should also mention that along with a SERIOUS LOSS OF POWER, having a bad fuel pump will also cause excessive cranks to start the engine. Upon replacement of the faulty pump the vehicle has been starting on the first crank.
If anyone is looking to buy used fuel pumps, lines, fittings, tubes or brass washers I have about 3 sets in stock right now. I also have a few complete pump units with filters, pumps, lines and accumulator. Shoot me an e-mail or call (734)250-4449.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
Oh yeah, and I'm looking to save a few bucks on dental floss and Q-tips too, so if you run across any the next time you're out dumpster diving, let me know.
PowerStroker, if you knew anything about Mercedes you would understand.
The fuel pumps on the W126 are not like your "FORD" fuel pumps, they are very complex and consist of MANY parts that in some cases can be hard to find.
YES! BRASS AND COPPER WASHERS CAN BE RE-USED! THATS WHY THEY ARE BRASS AND COPPER YOU IDIOT. I think there are around 8 brass washers, 4 seperate lines, two pumps, an accumulator, the brackets and rubber mounts and a few other caps, check valves and pressure lines. A lot of times these tubes can rust, break or whatever. Finding them can be difficult.
While I dont have any problems using used pumps, brackes, copper washers, or fuel lines, I do NOT re-use things like FILTERS, TOILET PAPER, or CONDOMS.
I know you don't work on Mercedes, so you have NO IDEA how much Mercedes parts cost from the dealer, if they have them in stock. I have sold MANY of used fuel system parts over the years to people MORE THAN HAPPY to buy them. You sould also know that the OE Used parts that I sell will often times OUTLAST a BRAND NEW aftermarket item that was reproduced in China. I wont even get into fitment issues.
So PowerStroker.... Was your lady a virgin when you met her?
-- Edited by SELLC on Wednesday 7th of July 2010 03:06:33 AM
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
SELLC wrote: I know you don't work on Mercedes, so you have NO IDEA how much Mercedes parts cost from the dealer, if they have them in stock. I have sold MANY of used fuel system parts over the years to people MORE THAN HAPPY to buy them. You sould also know that the OE Used parts that I sell will often times OUTLAST a BRAND NEW aftermarket item that was reproduced in China. I wont even get into fitment issues.
I thought Mercedes customers only want the best regardless of the price. You keep saying your cars cost more than my house when they were new, but it seems to me that the people who drive them now are just wanna be yuppies pretending to be rich by driving what was, at one time a nice car, but now just a turd held together with used parts.
Maybe instead of getting a used Mercedes, it would make more sense to get a new Ford. Oh yeah, but then they cant show off how "rich" they think they are while driving to your house to get used fuel system parts installed.
I haven't had much luck re-using copper or brass washers. They seem to seal really well the first time when you can "squish" them, but after that they just don't seem to seal well. Do you re-use brake caliper washers too?
What you fail to realize here PowerStroker is the fact that people driving CLASSIC W126 Mercedes often times find certian parts NLA (No longer available) or on back order. We are talking about 20+ year old VINTAGE vehicles here PowerStroker.
Try going to a Ford dealership with a 1991 Ford Mustang 5.0, you will find that the dealer does not stock many of the parts, you will also find that a lot of parts are NLA from the factory.
Buying a quality used part beats the hell out of a brand new China made part any day.
I have found that copper washers hold up rather well. I have also had problems in the past getting BRAND NEW washers to seal because of poor design, being too thick, or just being too loose. In EVERY INSTANCE a quality used part will fit better and last longer than a poorly made brand new one.
All cars become a turd held together with used parts the moment they roll off the dealer lot regardless who makes them.
I dont drive a top of the line 1990 S class Mercedes because I am rich... I drive a 1990 Mercedes S class because YOU CAN NOT.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
I should also mention that a MAIN reason I have stuck with the W126 Mercedes so long is because of the quality both in design and ride. I admit that the look of these classic vehicles has grown on me over the years. I have also noticed a LOT of other manufactures stealing the design of the Mercedes.
Take for example the Ford Exploder, eh... I mean Explorer... Have a look under a newer Ford Explorer with independent suspension in the rear, and then crawl under an older W126 Mercedes. What you will see is a knock off of the W126 driveline.
Take apart a modular 4.6 liter engine, set the bare block next to a Mercedes Benz M116 or M117 engine, guess what? Another knock off.
I am not saying Ford's and GM didn't come out with some good ideas, but I have yet to see the other side using GM or Ford designs to build their vehicles.
Dealing in used W126 Mercedes I have had engineers call me begging to come out and see what makes a Mercedes Benz tick. I am not kidding! I have the emails to prove it. Apparently Mercedes has set a standard for its engineering and that has made you green with envy. Why else would you be in here ripping on people driving vehicles that cost more than your house for buying quality used parts for their 25+ year old vehicles that are STILL ON THE ROAD.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
Oh yeah, thats right... You were trying to make a point a Ford can last longer than the car payments. Then again you are a mechanic, so your car/truck should still be running.
One thing is for SURE! I am glad that I wasnt couting on my F250 POWERSTROKE to get me to my appointment on time. That thing seems to KNOW when something is important, and acts up accordingly.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
Always use new copper washers when possible. If you can't, give the old one a little bit of a twist, and it will 9/10 times seal-up-again fine...Even better, if you can heat the washer up to a dull glowing red colour over a gas stove, or more appropriately using an oxy-set, the re-tempered washer will be nearly as good as new !
Cheers,
Rastus
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"Only an alert & knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial & military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods & goals, so that security & liberty may prosper together". Dwight D.Eisenhower.
