81 300D Won't start - Glow plugs? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JoshMB · #1 12-05-2000, 10:32 AM

Sorry to revive this old thread. I had an awful week full of root canals, offers and counteroffers on houses, and other things.

Anyway, I am going to replace the hand pump as it leaks. Then I should be able to pump some fuel to ensure that it gets in the chamber.

If nothing happens tonight, I will be hiring a tow truck to take it to a respectable shop in Lansing. I am frustrated and defeated by this car. I still wnat to buy another one in better shape, so I haven't given up on Mercedes, just rather frustrated with this one.

My thanks goes out to all those who helped me with advice and suggestions. I have learned a lot that I will apply to my next 123 series Mercedes.

Josh

P.S. I will post the final solution in a new thread when I know something.

123 300D driver · #2 12-05-2000, 04:55 PM

Josh, here's an idea to see if your engine is getting fuel. Remove one of the glowplugs and crank the engine. I'm sure you will be able to tell if any fuel is being delivered.

Gary

#3 12-05-2000, 07:18 PM

Easier than pulling a glow plug, would be to crack the number one line loose at the number one injector and turn it over while pressing the throttle. Where safety glasses for this.

You check the compression through the injector hole, and you need a guage that will read over 300PSI. Remove all injectors, check compression and write down numbers.

I experienced the same problem with my daughters car. It was starting and running great then bang, nothing. I did the cylinder head and checked everything I could, and it had possibly jumped time. Forget jumping time, this would be so rare it's almost not worth checking, but if you take the valve cover off, turn the engine by hand until the camshaft mark lines up with same on number one camshaft stand, then see if the TDC lines up on the balancer.

After all I went through on my daughter's car with the mystery we discussed about start one day, no start the next, I worry that the gremlin will return.

Keep checking things, the odds are not very good that you will have to dismantle the engine like I did.

Good luck, and let us know as you go along what's up, maybe we can answer one question at a time.

#4 12-05-2000, 08:30 PM

Larry, You get a gold star for recommending the safety glasses when cracking the high pressure fule line....Go to the head of the class!

#5 12-06-2000, 07:03 AM

Deezel,

You're surprised? Thanks to your tutelage, I'm now the alternate Safety Officer.

Have a great day,

JoshMB · #6 12-06-2000, 02:25 PM

This one is specifically for LarryBible.

I read your post on bad diesel fuel from November. Like your daughter, I could almost swear that I filled it only with Diesel, but like your fuel, it is a yellowish - almost clear - color. I had always before thought that diesel was red.

I tried to light the fuel from the filter and it didn't so, based on that, I assumed it was diesel.

Did you ever figure out if it was actually diesel? This happened to me within 20 miles of a fill-up.

Maybe fuel is the key. If there was water in the fuel, is it possible that there is an ice block in the lines somewhere? How do I go about draining the fuel tank?

I know that there is new fuel in the filter. Last night I unscrewed it and pumped fuel. It came out of the place where the fuel pump was. So it works although it leaks. (I have the new pump, but not a 24mm wrench)

Thanks for all your help.
I should know something by this weekend.

Josh

#7 12-06-2000, 02:59 PM

Josh,

In our case it was good fuel, the problem turned out to be compression related. I have; done complete valve job on head, retimed cam and checked injection pump timing. I was doubtful and afraid that I was wasting money and time, but it all came out okay.

It was very strange that it happened all of a sudden, and it could be that the gremlin will return.

I believe that if the fuel looks good and the filters aren't plugged, you don't have a fuel problem. Have you checked the compression yet just to be sure?

Good luck, and keep the questions coming, we will help you somehow,

#8 12-06-2000, 03:22 PM

Josh, is your new hand pump 17 mm? If so, and you don't care about damaging your old pump then you can probably get it off with channel locks. The new one with 17 mm base will go on much easier than the old 24mm hand pump. Be sure to bleed the fuel system properly after.

layback40 · #9 05-04-2010, 09:13 AM

Is Wm. Lewallen an active member? He was a guest in his post. Its a 10 year old thread !! There are plenty of more recent threads about such repairs.
X2 on the need to put your car details in your sig !!

vstech · #10 05-04-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Is 50cool50 still an active member? Its a 10 year old thread !! There are plenty of more recent threads about such repairs.
X2 on the need to put your car details in your sig !!

actually, what I was saying is the car problem details need to be put in the question NOT just in the sig! the sig changes for every post you have ever made every time you change it. so, if your original sig had a 79D in it, and you have problems with the car, and give up and sell it, and change your sig to reflect the new car, your question in the archive will show your new car in the sig. not the car you posted a question about...
so put the problem car in the question like the OP of this thread did!

layback40 · #11 05-04-2010, 09:24 AM

Hey John,
You are on the ball there!!! I had my names mixed up & had to edit it !! You saw it & quoted it before I had a chance to correct it !!

50cool50 ,
Welcome, I see its only your second post!! When you get a chance it would help us all if you could include a few details about the car in question.
I doubt if you will get a reply to your request.
The info you need should be in other threads.

robbittt · #12 02-22-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshMB

My 81 300D won't start! About 3 days ago (exactly coinciding with our first snowfall and freeze) my old battery died completely. It is a bad battery, will not recharge fully, etc. So, after trying to recharge the battery and start the car, I bought a new battery. Much better turning over, but it still won't start.

I checked my haynes manual and did a careful search of these archives but nothing seems to be "clicking" as what might be the answer.

I unpluged the glowplug relay (in the little black box in the corner of the fender - Thanks Larry Bible) and checked all the plugs for continuity - every single one of them have have continuity with the ground. Is this right? If not - why would all the glowplugs go wrong at once?

The metal fuse bar is good.
I didn't have any real problems starting it before.
Suspect that there might be something wrong with my vacuum as it was beginning to delay shutting off for a few seconds after turning off the switch.

One other thing that may help you all help me. When installing the battery, I didn't have it all the way in and it touched the bonnet and made a hissing and left a small circle of clean melted metal on the bonnet. Battery seems to work fine, but would that have had an impact on the glowplugs, etc.

THanks for your help,

------------------
81 300D 250K+ (odo doesn't work!)
Want another one.

Josh:

What was the outcome? Sorry, I know thread is old but I'm having similar issues.

Thanks,

Rob

leathermang · #13 02-22-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbittt

Josh:

What was the outcome? Sorry, I know thread is old but I'm having similar issues.

Thanks,

Rob

If you check the user name... joshmb has not posted since 9 years ago..
so he probably will not see your question..

better to start a new thread and tell about your car and ask what questions you have...less reading for people trying to help you also...

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