PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Please help me start a non-starting 240D.

JimSmith · #4 05-15-2003, 01:45 AM

Eric,

Does the engine start when it is warm? If you start it by pushing it, and let it run until it fully warms up, and then shut it down, can you restart it using the starter?

Once it is running, does it idle smoothly? Does it have some pep when you are in third gear above about 30 or 35 mph, and in 4th gear above 45 or 50 mph? Will it pull up a hill and maintain its speed above 50 mph in 4th gear?

What is the engine coolant temperature when you are running it at highway speeds and while idling after being run at highway speeds at full temperature?

What color is the exhaust coming out the tailpipe when you first start it cold, and when it idles running fully warmed up?

With the car running at idle, fully warm, lift the hood and unscrew the oil filler cap. Check to see what the volume and color of the gasses are that come out. When you go to put the cap back on, is it surprising how much resistance you feel trying to get the cap to come down on the oil fill opening in the valve cover? Is it hard to get the cap down without being blown off to one side or the other?

Answers to these questions will help make a diagnosis, as will the results of a compression and leak down check.

Keep the faith, I don't think you are that far off from having a running machine, especially if it runs strong after push starting. My daughter reported similar problems with her car when it showed about 280,000 miles, and the general conclusion on the site was that the engine was shot. I had a hard time accepting that given the strong performance once started by pushing it. New engine mounts, starter, a valve adjustment, and a change to Delvac-1 and she was having no problems starting the car over the entire last winter in Albany, NY (lots of below 10*F weather).

Good luck, Jim