New to Diesels - What did I do wrong? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Marshall42 · #1 07-02-2006, 10:55 PM

I just bought my first diesel a 1982 300sd. When I got it home I started to tune it up, change the oil and filter, new air filter now comes the problem. I changed the fuel filters with out priming them. I only found out that they needed to be primed after I attempted to turn over the engine. I tried to start the engine over and over. Now it won't start.
Could I have flooded the injectors? burned out the glow plugs?
I could really use your help.

TheDon · #2 07-02-2006, 11:00 PM

you drained the battery.. plug it up to a charger and let it charge.. and before you start it or try to prime the system.. what i do when i do the fuel filters i take the canister one and fill it with some diesel fuel.. clean diesel fuel, or veggie oil thats clean and nice and hot.. less work to prime.. and prime until i hear that hissing sound and give er a nice glow then crank.

Hatterasguy · #3 07-02-2006, 11:08 PM

Pump the primer pump like 50 times, then crank like crazy.

#4 07-02-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Pump the primer pump like 50 times, then crank like crazy.

Crank with the peddal to the floor.

Hatterasguy · #5 07-02-2006, 11:12 PM

Yep that works too. But you 617 guys have those handy pumps. If you use them right, the engine starts back up without missing a beat. No cranking needed really.

Brian Carlton · #6 07-02-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Yep that works too. But you 617 guys have those handy pumps. If you use them right, the engine starts back up without missing a beat. No cranking needed really.

The "handy pump" will not and cannot refill the hard lines. Accordingly, keeping your right foot on the floor will minimize the cranking time.

The engine cannot start up without missing a beat if the hard lines are dry. It takes about 12 seconds with the rack fully open to fill the hard lines and start the engine.

#7 07-02-2006, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Yep that works too. But you 617 guys have those handy pumps. If you use them right, the engine starts back up without missing a beat. No cranking needed really.

Quite true. I wish my 606 in my E300 had one. Sure it starts from cranking, but it seems so crude.

Hatterasguy · #8 07-02-2006, 11:31 PM

Good point. I am spoiled with the SD, because I pump like mad before turning it over. I have a bit of practice, I changed a lot of fuel filters last year. If done right the car starts almost like no filter change was done.

Unlike the 603/606 which require a huge amount of cranking.

Since you introduced air into the IP and hard lines, only cranking will remove said air. I'd still use the hand pump, just to make sure you got all the air out of the filter.

Marshall42 · #9 07-02-2006, 11:47 PM

OK now here comes the big question, The hand pump? Where do I find it and how do I use it. or do you mean I should push the accelerator pedel down?
I promise I am a quick learner.

TheDon · #10 07-02-2006, 11:59 PM

you know what the IP looks like.. well where the clear filter is to the left of where that hose goes into the IP there is a hand primer.. unscrew the handle to the left.. and when its free pump until you hear a hissing sound. then pump it down and screw it to the right to tighten.. procede to start with the pedal to the floor until it turns over .. if it starts to bog down give it some pedal..

Brian Carlton · #11 07-02-2006, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall42

OK now here comes the big question, The hand pump? Where do I find it and how do I use it. or do you mean I should push the accelerator pedel down?
I promise I am a quick learner.

The 617 engine has a manual "primer pump" located on the left side of the engine down low, adjacent to the fuel pump. You'll see one fuel line go to the pump and another fuel line come out of the pump.

Above these lines is a plastic knob (presuming old style). Unthread the knob and the knob will lift up and draw fuel into the cylinder. Pressing back down will force the fuel toward the secondary filter.

Repeat about 50 times and then return the plastic knob into the housing and tighten. If the primer pump leaks, it's time for a replacement.

The replacement will have a black plunger and will not require unthreading. It's possible that the PO already replaced the pump with the newer design.

P.E.Haiges · #12 07-03-2006, 01:02 AM

Marshall,

What U did wrong was change the fuel filters when they didn't need to be changed.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

P E H

#13 07-03-2006, 01:18 AM

I would (and have) changed the fuel filters on a new car if I didn't know when they were last changed. If nothing else, it will give you a good baseline for your car's performance.

When I first bought my 300D, it would always slow a little (from about 80 to 75) on a certain fairly steep grade on I-70. I thought that was all the power I had. Several months later, I had a significant loss of power and changed the filters. The next time I drove up that grade, I was surprised to find I had no trouble maintaining speed. Now, I know my cars performance well enough to tell when they need to be replaced, but I would still change them on a new car.

winmutt · #14 07-03-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I would (and have) changed the fuel filters on a new car if I didn't know when they were last changed. If nothing else, it will give you a good baseline for your car's performance.

When I first bought my 300D, it would always slow a little (from about 80 to 75) on a certain fairly steep grade on I-70. I thought that was all the power I had. Several months later, I had a significant loss of power and changed the filters. The next time I drove up that grade, I was surprised to find I had no trouble maintaining speed. Now, I know my cars performance well enough to tell when they need to be replaced, but I would still change them on a new car.

similarly I just did my first oil change on my sedan, hadnt had time or money since I got the car. The improvement in acceleration is incredible...