Causes to make an NA 2.4 just stop? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hit Man X · #1 10-11-2004, 09:54 PM

Okay gang, in my shopping I located another D... this is a 1979 240D NA.

The guy that has it said he was driving it then it made a noise and stopped.

Those are a verbatim copy of his words. Makes no sense to me at all. He said the car would not crank.

Soooooooo... I began to think of what may be wrong with this car:

1. It has a newer primary fuel filter, secondary doesn't look to have been replaced. Perhaps the system wasn't primed properly? I could easily push in the prime thingee on the mech injection pump (so long as it was the correct thing I was pushing). I was under the impression it needed some resistance?

2. Bad fuel/contaminated with H2O?

3. Bad battery leads to no cranking of the motor I'd think.

4. Motor has a crankcase still full of oil, so it didn't run dry.

5. The radiator hose was off (upper) so it potentially could have overheated. Would the motor shut off if it overheats or just run until something breaks?

Whatelse could I be missing?

thanks!

Hit Man X · #2 10-11-2004, 09:57 PM

It was brought to my attention from a diesel mechanic friend of mine (works on rigs) my terminology for the priming device was incorrect, it's a Lukenheimer Valve.

Palangi · #3 10-11-2004, 10:29 PM

Sounds like the guy lost all the coolant and just drove it until it had a meltdown.

dieselbeagel · #4 10-11-2004, 10:30 PM

Timing chain ? Has the timing chain snaped ?

Vacuum pump still in one piece? Test it with a mityvac.

Lycoming-8 · #5 10-11-2004, 10:47 PM

Good greif Hit Man, where did you ever come up with Lukenheimer Valve. Haven't heard of them since I lived in Cincy Ohio nearly 40 years ago!! My Dad even had a Co-op job there in the 30's via his Univ of Cincy Engineering experience.

Hit Man X · #6 10-11-2004, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palangi

Sounds like the guy lost all the coolant and just drove it until it had a meltdown.

Well the upper rad hose was the only one off the correct place, it was moved behind the PS Pump (I believe that's the correct piece, upper right under hood). So it wasn't blown off, it was moved there. Maybe it just leaked all over then was pulled to access something? I do know the fan clutch is seized too.

dieselbeagel... how can I tell if timing chain snapped? Anyway to tell w/o taking the front of the motor off? I believe the vac pump was still mkay, it's to the right of the H2O pump and left of the PS nay? Besides that, what's the vac pump have to do with the operation of the motor?

Lycoming-8...

one of my friends works on big rig diesel stuff. So I asked his thoughts on this 240D. He always picks my mind on camshafts and transmissions so he asked me the tech name of it. I told him I hadn't a clue and he told me.

Palangi · #7 10-11-2004, 11:09 PM

Actually, it doesn't have a fan clutch.

Will it turn over with the starter? If so, turn it over and see if the camshaft turns.

Hit Man X · #8 10-11-2004, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palangi

Actually, it doesn't have a fan clutch.

Will it turn over with the starter? If so, turn it over and see if the camshaft turns.

Oh, when did the clutched fan come into play... '82 or so? Not sure, there is no battery in the car.

Sucks I know, it's either a jem or a POS.

What's the easiest method to turn this over by hand? Pop the glow plugs or injectors?

See if it turns over by hand, I can steal it for a VERY good price. I won't tell them anything, just say I'm gettin' it for a parts car.

If it'll turn over by hand I'd think the motor would be okay and I'll have to peep at the timing chain and cam as recommended on here too.

psfred · #9 10-12-2004, 12:44 AM

Pull valve cover and take a look at the chain. Dollar to a donut its broken, that the usual reason it "made a noise and stopped".

Could also be a broken crank, although if that happens at speed, there will be chunks out of the side of the oil pan. Cam will be broken or the cam towers will be, but chain will be intact. Engine will may or may not turn in either case -- broken crank can leave either front or rear half free, but not usually both as the normal case is for a crankpin journal to let go, leaving the crank jammed up on the affected rod.

Broken chain is an easy fix, usually. Broken crank may mean ruined block.

Peter

Hit Man X · #10 10-12-2004, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psfred

Pull valve cover and take a look at the chain. Dollar to a donut its broken, that the usual reason it "made a noise and stopped".

Could also be a broken crank, although if that happens at speed, there will be chunks out of the side of the oil pan. Cam will be broken or the cam towers will be, but chain will be intact. Engine will may or may not turn in either case -- broken crank can leave either front or rear half free, but not usually both as the normal case is for a crankpin journal to let go, leaving the crank jammed up on the affected rod.

Broken chain is an easy fix, usually. Broken crank may mean ruined block.

Peter

So if the chain snaps, it won't cause piston to valve interaction breaking anything?

Appx milage is 225K as it reads on the odo...

leathermang · #11 10-12-2004, 09:00 AM

Lunkenheimer Valve?

http://www.whistleman.com/html/the_lunkenheimer_company.html

?

TonyFromWestOz · #12 10-12-2004, 09:18 AM

In your first post you said that

Quote:

he said that he was driving it then it made a noise and stopped.

Quote:

He said the car would not crank.

You are looking at an engine that is toast! Either he did the timing chain, camshaft, crank, conrod or a combination of these.
If the body is good and you know where to get a 240D with a good engine/trans, but poor body, buy both cars and make one good car from the pair, then sell the remains for parts.
Otherwise, walk away from it.

Hit Man X · #13 10-12-2004, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyFromWestOz

In your first post you said that

You are looking at an engine that is toast! Either he did the timing chain, camshaft, crank, conrod or a combination of these.
If the body is good and you know where to get a 240D with a good engine/trans, but poor body, buy both cars and make one good car from the pair, then sell the remains for parts.
Otherwise, walk away from it.

The car has no battery now so I don't know if it'll crank or not. I know these diesels need a stout battery to turn it over so it's possible it needed a battery when they got it back.

How would these vehicles act if they were out of fuel?

Also, did some wondering around this morning... found a nice Benzo mechanic that would come check out the vehicle with me. I have to pay him for his time which is fine, but I think I shall do that.

Since it seems to need a new motor, any ideas where to scoop up a nice used one?

Palangi · #14 10-12-2004, 03:12 PM

Take the oil fill cap off so you can see the camshaft.

Turn the engine over with a 7/8 wrench or socket applied to the nut on the power steering pump. (Turn it only in the normal direction of rotation which is clockwise as you are standing in front of it). You should be able to see the camshaft turn as you crank the engine manually. If not, chain is broken.

Hit Man X · #15 10-12-2004, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palangi

Take the oil fill cap off so you can see the camshaft.

Turn the engine over with a 7/8 wrench or socket applied to the nut on the power steering pump. (Turn it only in the normal direction of rotation which is clockwise as you are standing in front of it). You should be able to see the camshaft turn as you crank the engine manually. If not, chain is broken.

That'd be like a 22mm correct?

So, just turn it to the right (when facing the motor)? Seems pretty easy.

But wouldn't the belt just slip when doing this?