I am trying to understand what has - has not been done.
Editing down to only the Response from: Janet gives me a better picture.


#1 01-17-2005, 05:51 PM
jc2124
janetc Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Silverlake, Ca.

1979 240d
Hi
I was reading the 240D posts today. I own one. the mechanic says the engine is no good, no compression. I really love the

car. It ran well, then one day it just turns over and over, but doesn't fire. Any recommendations for a second opinion, or,

are there tests I can try. It's manual, and I can get it to move in spurts.
Thanks
Janet

#4 01-17-2005, 06:19 PM
jc2124

240 D
I bought the 240 D in August. It had a bad battery and I have two other vehicles. I rented to a German friend and his friend

who was visiting from Germany. They bought a new mega battery, replaced all the filters and did a lot of simple maintenance

on it. It ran great!! I noticed that the glow plug light took a long time to go off. One day, I left it in the position and

waited for a couple of minutes. From that day forward, it never started.

The mechanic is another German Mercedes owner's mechanic. He did not give me compression numbers. I have no idea when the

valves were set. He has done nothing to the car. I had it towed back here today. I have a gut feeling that it's not about

spending 2000 on an engine. It ran really well and was a joy to drive. I would futz with it, but it's my first Mercedes and

my first diesel, so I'm leaving it alone. I really don't want to get rid of it. thanks for your reply. It gives me hope.

and, no, he didn't offer to buy it. That's always a giveaway.
thanks
jc

#5 01-17-2005, 06:24 PM
jc2124

Brian oil pressure
The oil was low. I bought a 5 quart synthetic oil and put it in while my friend changed the glow plugs.

#7 01-17-2005, 07:04 PM
jc2124

Ouch
I'm going to contact my friend who changed the plugs. He didn't seem to think the oil level was a problem. He's very

experienced with the car, as you can see. He's driven his all around the world. http://www.mercedes124.de/besold/
thanks I'll get back to you.

#9 01-17-2005, 07:27 PM
jc2124

glow plugs
After the new glow plugs were installed, I could see smoke coming from the second one from the front. Could that be a clue?

#12 01-18-2005, 10:27 AM
jc2124

relay
I replaced the glow plug relay. Nothing changed.

#16 01-18-2005, 09:28 PM
jc2124

Location
I?m in Los Angeles, specifically in Silverlake, which is near downtown, Glendale, Los Feliz, Pasadena, Hollywood, Echo Park.
jc

#18 01-21-2005, 10:19 AM
jc2124

Now I understand the term thread
Hi
I talked to three mechanics yesterday. Tony, the local guy said that it was probably the smoking glow plug, or me leaving the

key on too long. He thinks it may be a fuse or a poorly connected glow plug. He is also going to do a compression test AFTER

he adjusts the valves. the first mechanic didn't adjust the valves, otherwise he would have charged me, which he didn't. I'll

keep you posted. Thanks for the 'thread' advice.
Janet

#24 01-22-2005, 11:16 AM
jc2124

the little red one
I don't ever want to sell it. I'll just keep it and look at it. It's nearly perfect, except that it doesn't run. the interior

and exterior look like new. Only the sunroof doesn't work, but I'll deal with that once it's running.
thanks
Janet

#30 01-24-2005, 10:17 AM
jc2124

Warm day
After reading that you guys can start your Mercedes without glow plugs, I confidently went out on a warm playoff day, (70

degrees) and tried to start the car. I gave up after about 10 minutes. It just turned over and over and over, but no cigar.

The mechanic is going to look at it this afternoon.
jc
Janet


#33 01-24-2005, 03:08 PM
jc2124

First time it didn't start
In response to Ismelll, and perhaps a clue.
I noticed that the glow plug light stayed on longer and longer, so one day, I left it on just to see how long it would go. I

ran in the house for something. It was only minutes. From that time on, it didn't start.

Also, yesterday, when I tried in vain to start it, I noticed that when I turned the key, the light came on, and while I am

waiting for it to go out, there were lots of "science fiction" sounds, like crunching saran wrap, and little squeaks. It was

very low in volume. It happened only on the first try.

We'll figure it out. It's a good car.
Thanks
Janet

#38 01-25-2005, 09:33 AM
jc2124

Cranking
Dabenz, I am going to try your way. I've been pretty sure from the beginning, that it's something simple, and ultimately

something that I can do. I like taking care of my own car, so this adventure has become quite instructional. I'll let you

know what happens.

I live on a hill, and have considered getting it out into the street to see if it will start with some speed on it. I can get

it to move. I've moved it up my driveway by popping the clutch.

to answer Cannonball, my engine turns over in a very regular, prestarting mode, but never cranks up enough to start.
janet

#39 01-25-2005, 09:36 AM
jc2124

Patrick
I am getting a new battery, I have the relay and 4 supposedly good plugs. they get pulled out later today, hopefully. I think

that the 2nd one is burned out and probably burned out the fuse. thanks

#42 01-26-2005, 12:36 PM
jc2124

gorilla pull knob
Fortunatly, I don't even know what a gorilla pull knob is. I turn the key, the light comes on, I attempt to start it.

The interesting thing is, and no one has addressed it, is that I can move the car by accelerating and releasing the clutch.

It works in first and reverse, which are the only ones I have tried. I've only moved it under 20 feet each time.
Janet

#44 01-26-2005, 12:52 PM
jc2124

gorilla pull plug
I'm very sure I don't have one.

#46 01-26-2005, 01:34 PM
jc2124

moving the non running car
I discovered it by accident. My driveway is on a fairly long hill, so I tried the old 'get it to roll and pop the clutch'

approach. It didn't start, and the car was sitting at the bottom of the driveway. One day when I was trying to start it, I

was in gear, with my foot on the clutch. I released the clutch and the car moved forward. I was able to move it far enough

forward to get it out of my neighbor?s way.

The other day when the tow truck brought it back, he couldn't get it into the parking space, and you know how heavy it is to

push. I got in, turned it on, cranked it up for a few seconds, put it in reverse, released the clutch, and it backed up into

the space.

No, the engine isn't on. I'm not even cranking it when it happens. I'm going out right now, to move it again. I'll observe

the details of the process and report back.

#48 01-26-2005, 02:52 PM
jc2124

moving the non running car part 2
I just moved it once again. I turned the key, cranked it, and while cranking it, released the clutch, which allowed me to

move it a little. It almost sounded like it cranked a little harder. My heart beat for a moment, as I thought it would start.

I visited a second mechanic today. He told me to unscrew something next to the pump and the injectors and pump it. He said it

should get harder and harder to pump if it's okay. If it's loose and saggy, that may be the indicator of the real problem. He

also thinks it's fuel. I did check the filter, and there is diesel present. It's full.

On my way to pumping.
Later

#49 01-26-2005, 02:55 PM
jc2124

exhaust
I haven't seen any exhaust, and frankly I can't smell diesel. I haven't really looked at the exhaust, but now, as I remember

those fond days when it did start, it was smoking and smelling. Hmmmm