Hello

I am new to this site so please bear with me. I have searched and have not found what I am looking for. I may have just missed it.

Here goes. I have a '79 240d with 150k miles on it. When I got this car I bought it out of Mesa, Arizona. It did not run. I flushed the fuel system and got all the bad fuel out. That is all that was wrong with it running. I have had that same problem with 2 others that I bought also. Anyways I have been driving this car to and from work almost everyday now for about 6 months 40 miles round trip. The problem is that it starts very hard I have ruled out the glow plugs as I have tried all the checks that have been listed on this forum already. I have also replaced the injectors with a set out of a '82 240d that I had that ran good. The problem improved but did not go away.

The temperature outside does not effect the situation and the engine temp does not either. Once the car is started if it dies and I restart it it will start ok if it sits for 5 mon or more lets say then it will be hard to start. I have not played with the timing yet. As going down the road it runs like a new one. It just will not idle in gear. I have to keep my foot on the accelerator to keep it running.

I am thinking it is the IP getting weak but would like some advice on this matter before I proceed.


Thank you

Have you set the valves ?
Have you set the fuel timing ? ( drip start )

Yes I have adjusted the valves and that did not change anything and no I have not done the drip test yet. I have been reluctant to do so as it runs so well at high speeds that I was not sure it that was the problem. But it is on the scope for possiblities I was just wanting more info first.

Sorry I forgot this in the original post.

When I am cranking the engine it builds up on fuel( I can smell it and it smokes heavy) . Also I have to crank on it for quite awhile ( as I am cranking it the engine will wind up so to speak and then adventually start). If I stop cranking it I will have to start all over. Once it starts it smoke heavily for a few minutes then never smokes again except when I have to idle with my foot on the accelertor.

I have had 3 other 240D's and all have started very quickly. Not like this one.

I am trying to explain this as best as I can.

Possible low compression engine? I wouldn't worry about timing yet but definitely check the valve adjustment and make sure it is correct before running it too much further.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

"I have had that same problem with 2 others that I bought also."

Well, what did you do to fix THEM ? LOL

Why are you drawn to old MB's with THIS problem ? LOL