This is my first post on this forum. I’ve used it a lot trying to figure out how to fix my SLK, which I love so much, but nothing I’ve tried seems to be working. I’ve gotten so frustrated that I finally made an account because I really need help figuring this problem out.
My SLK 320, 6-speed manual, has had trouble starting ever since I bought it about 6 months ago.
At first, I thought it might be the fuel injectors, so some friends recommended that I try fuel injector cleaner. It may have helped a little, but honestly, I couldn’t really tell. In the beginning, the car would usually start on the first try, but over time the problem gradually got worse.
I eventually replaced the crankshaft position sensor and one thing I noticed was that, for a while, the car would start every time if I quickly turned the key straight to the crank position without stopping to prime the fuel system. Eventually, even that stopped working.
I then replaced the fuel filter. After replacing it, the car started normally for the first few test starts, so I thought I had finally found the problem. Unfortunately, shortly afterward it went right back to having trouble starting and feels like its actually worse now requiring more attempts at cranking and rarer perfect starts.
I checked underneath the car the following day for any fuel leaks, but I couldn't find anything leaking but i made sure to tighten the clamps down and even replaced one.
One other thing I’ve noticed is that the exhaust smells strongly of fuel after the car finally starts from the exhaust i think . I’m not sure if that’s an actual clue or if it’s simply because I’ve been priming the fuel system 2–3 times before finally cranking it.
At this point I’m stuck and extremely frustrated. I really love this car and want to get it fixed, but I can’t keep throwing money at parts without knowing what’s actually causing the problem.
EDIT:
After checking the fuel pressure and finding out that it holds perfect pressure during crank and idle, I tested the battery in which it came out to be a perfectly normal battery. I was out of luck and almost gave up but decided to throw in a bottle of fuel injection cleaner into my fuel. THAT made the car start on first try for the next couple tries. My injectors were just dirty? Its funny because i remember putting in a fuel injection cleaner months ago when i first bought the car but it still started having problems down the line again.
PLEASE HELP
My SLK 320, 6-speed manual, has had trouble starting ever since I bought it about 6 months ago.
At first, I thought it might be the fuel injectors, so some friends recommended that I try fuel injector cleaner. It may have helped a little, but honestly, I couldn’t really tell. In the beginning, the car would usually start on the first try, but over time the problem gradually got worse.
I eventually replaced the crankshaft position sensor and one thing I noticed was that, for a while, the car would start every time if I quickly turned the key straight to the crank position without stopping to prime the fuel system. Eventually, even that stopped working.
I then replaced the fuel filter. After replacing it, the car started normally for the first few test starts, so I thought I had finally found the problem. Unfortunately, shortly afterward it went right back to having trouble starting and feels like its actually worse now requiring more attempts at cranking and rarer perfect starts.
I checked underneath the car the following day for any fuel leaks, but I couldn't find anything leaking but i made sure to tighten the clamps down and even replaced one.
One other thing I’ve noticed is that the exhaust smells strongly of fuel after the car finally starts from the exhaust i think . I’m not sure if that’s an actual clue or if it’s simply because I’ve been priming the fuel system 2–3 times before finally cranking it.
At this point I’m stuck and extremely frustrated. I really love this car and want to get it fixed, but I can’t keep throwing money at parts without knowing what’s actually causing the problem.
EDIT:
After checking the fuel pressure and finding out that it holds perfect pressure during crank and idle, I tested the battery in which it came out to be a perfectly normal battery. I was out of luck and almost gave up but decided to throw in a bottle of fuel injection cleaner into my fuel. THAT made the car start on first try for the next couple tries. My injectors were just dirty? Its funny because i remember putting in a fuel injection cleaner months ago when i first bought the car but it still started having problems down the line again.
PLEASE HELP
