560SL - I Have Bad News!

[@Mercedesdriver2012]

Hello Tony. OK, then we'll just wait a little longer 😅. You'll definitely find the problem with the fuel supply 🔧🔧👍. Don't stress about it. Best wishes from Michael 😁.

[@matthewkingsley5002]

Good luck. Thanks for your videos. If it is helpful, I have successfully used a speedometer cable attached to a drill to clear out the steel line.

[@TonyLiveTV]

Lucky for me all lines are clear. Both pumps were bad. I have removed the tank and replaced the level sensor & strainer as well as replaced both pumps, hoses and filter with new. A detailed video will be available soon.

[@shaunmorrison336]

As your car has sat unused for a very long time,first try to confirm that your tank has not begun to rust inside which blocks your strainer and filter. If the slightest bit of that rust( it comes like very fine sand) gets through to your fuel divider which is machined to very fine tolerances,it will cause serious damage.

[@TonyLiveTV]

Thank you for your comment. The problem was the fuel pumps. The motors turn, but they have internal filters which were broken and lodged in the pumps. I purchased new pumps, filter and hoses. I have removed the fuel tank and strainer. There is zero rust in the tank and the strainer is also clear. Even though the tank was clear, I still rinsed it with diesel just to be sure. I did not need to remove the strainer or tank, but I did it for my KZbin channel. I should have a detailed video of the process including Borescope images uploaded over the weekend. Tank removal was pretty easy.

[@christianbaraldi2137]

Bummer, had set the alarm for saturday. You´ll fix it, no doubt. We´ll be here waiting.

[@jean-lucrombouts207]

Never been closer..

[@RyanD560]

I’m about to replace my 560SL’s fuel system, it’d be really helpful if you could document what you learn! Good luck solving this, Tony

[@TonyLiveTV]

I document everything. I have ordered a new filter. I am guessing that is the problem. I’ll let you know for sure and there will be a video.

[@OB928]

I’m sure you checked, but are your pumps flowing/pumping in the correct direction? Hopefully it is only the strainer. Good luck!

[@TonyLiveTV]

Yes they are. Pumps have + & - on the terminals. Everything worked when I parked it 16 years ago. I will begin in the morning. I have a new tank strainer and filter. I’m sure the 16 year old fuel took its toll on the filter & strainer. Hopefully I have a follow up video early next week.

[@CliffordAllenR107]

Hi Tony it looks and sounds like you are connecting the pumps in reverse. The best way we run pumps at a dealership is to bridge out pins 7 and 8 otherwise known as terminals 87 and 30 at your fuel pump relay. In RHD cars behind glove box. Your strainer will not suddenly become blocked after standing for a while. Don’t go stripping down your pump accumulator filter assembly just yet. Hope this helps a little bit.

[@TonyLiveTV]

I don’t see how it is possible to connect the pump wrong. The terminals are clearly marked with + & -. I know about jumping the relay, but I saw Kent jump the pumps and he mentioned how is that was in comparison. Anyway removing the fuel pump assembly was easy. In fact, it was one of the first things I did when I purchased the car in 2006 because it had a leak. I’ve removed this today and I was surprised that the strainer was not clogged just like you said. I blew the line from the front back & it too is clear. I’m getting ready to check the filter & pumps and see what’s going on. I’ll get it solved. I bought a new strainer and I’m considering the work involved to change it. My strainer is offset so moving the gas tank is required to remove the strainer.

[@V8Hunter7]

Can you siphon off the old gas through the regular gas input location? Another option is to pull it from the fuel pump location. Refill with fresh fuel and try this again.

[@TonyLiveTV]

I had already drained out the old fuel. I just put in 10 gallons of new fuel which I now need to remove so I can take out the fuel filter & pumps.

[@matthewstephenbrown]

Tony. I bought my 560 after you, yanked the engine, rebuilt the heads, and have been daily driving it for 5 months. Now I'm half way into a 380 with 76k I got off eBay for 4K. Just start it. 🙂

[@matthewstephenbrown]

FYI, if you rebuilt the fuel distributor like I did, it will take 2k miles for the membrane to work out even distribution as the 560 lacks that adjustment. So go out and beat on it. And don't forget the rear axel grease which is original. You have a luck California car but the weak spot on the 107 is the air fan. In mine I pull the fan and de rust and rust inhibo that whole box. Otherwise your feet get wet. Good luck. Start it up.

[@TonyLiveTV]

I learned my lesson with this Mercedes. Never again…. I would rather be fishing and I don’t fish.

[@TonyLiveTV]

@@matthewstephenbrown rebuilding the fuel distributor is another thing I will need to do guaranteed. I did change the stupid o-ring as the piston was stuck. I have a video of that of course. I completely rebuilt the rear axles including the differential. Everything mechanical under the vehicle I have either rebuilt or replaced.

[@mustafaosman48]

Your fuel tank strainer is most likely the issue

[@TonyLiveTV]

Could be. However I did replace the strainer, filter, hoses and pumps prior to parking it in 2008. That’s why it surprised me when no fuel came out. I have a new strainer and I have ordered a new filter. It’s got to one of these that is plugged. Gummed up 16 year old fuel.