#1. reverse the fuel hoses at the body tubes.
#2. Replace the fuel filters.
#3. Look for fuel leaks - cracked hoses.
#4. Check hose clamps, tighten loose ones.

Post results for further help.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Peter got the car home last night, it now has 321,692 miles. I think it might have a few thousand left, but it is definitely not healthy.

We went out this morning and tried to start it. It has a peculiar unevenness to the sound it makes trying to start, but it seems to be trying to fire. So I start checking glow plugs. Number two glow plug is shot, several dozen MOhms. The other three are good, 1.0 to .9 Ohms. Change the number two plug (by the way, I have a nice new set of ratcheting box end wrenches from Sears, which make this a ten minute job!) and the engine fires right up. Great!

Having a problem with the exhaust pipe connection to the exhaust manifold. Install new bolts, refit the joint and that problem is solved. Still has a leaky repair along the pipe ahead of the first muffler chamber, just aft of the transmission. Peter had cannibalized this repair to make a shield and try to keep the exhaust leaking from the flange at the manifold at least directed downward, under the car. So this exhaust leak was not subtle noise wise.

So far so good. I did notice a little metal in the gunk that came out on the end of the number two glow plug, and slid a magnet inside to see if there was "more to come" but the end was pretty clean. Oily, but no big chunks of metal. And the new plug went in without any signs of having munged up threads.

Drove around a loop with hills and flats and the car performed quite nicely. Punched it going up a hill and blew an EPA alarming cloud of black crap out but it ran fine thereafter. Came to a stop and the idle was a little rough, but generally not bad at all. Nothing alarming. Started on a hill, and it was not unusually sluggish getting going, but a little less eager to get moving off the line. I attributed it to my natural reluctance to step on it with the exhaust leak, as I live around these people.....

Get home, pop the hood, and start poking around. I open the oil fill cap and I see blow by like I have never seen before. I close the cap, and pull the line off the cyclone separator going to the intake manifold. A hard, coherent and continuous stream of exhaust gas shoots across the engine compartment. I started laughing to keep from crying. This old car has served us well since about 1988 or so. We bought it from the Captain of Donald Trump's yacht at the time, in NYC with 105,000 miles on it in response to an add in the NY Times. It has been a tough, loyal machine if that is a reasonable characteristic to attribute to a car. Three kids learned to drive on it, and one drove it throughout her college education, then across the US and back. Through Death Valley in temperatures approaching 126 degrees Fahrenheit (and thanks to all of you who followed that trip in case she ended up needing help). A second drove it in college for a year and used it to tow a Jet Ski from Tennessee to Old Lyme, CT last summer, then back and forth every weekend to Lake Champlain near Plattsburgh, NY. It never left any of us anywhere. It is a great teacher of lessons in practicality and innovation. I have never, ever trusted a machine like this one before. When things failed in peculiar places and a conventional fix was out of the question, it seemed the car begged you to get around the problem some way. If you tried, it responded and got you home. It is an awesomely robust machine.

Knowing it was beginning weaken, I recently bought a 1983 240D from a Forum member, Ken Williamson. Ken's, well, mine now, car is in fantastic shape. I am looking forward to babying this one into the 300,000 mile plus range too.

We will see how well it starts first thing in the morning. It is in the mid 40's here at the moment, and the machine jumped to life once the glow plugs were all working. I think if we take it easy, this car will last through the winter for Peter. If not, I will be very reluctant to let him have the "new" 240D for school. And I am not likely to buy into a Jeep or other SUV.

Thanks for the helpful hints, and best wishes. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)