ran outa diesel! Now no start!

[joegolden]

Ok I did a search but cant believe I did not find anything on this topic. I probably was not using the right words My gauge on my 87 300d is inaacurate and I ran her out of fuel today. Now she will not restart. She will turn over but will not run. What do I have to do to get her runnin? Thanks so much for the helP

[stcbenz83]

do u have a manual primper pump by the IP?? if so, pump that alot and it should restart

[joegolden]

not sure? I will check it out. Is it pretty easy to see? Thanks

[whunter]

You should have a OM60X engine, this means automatic primer.

* For fastest start, remove and fill the fuel filter with ATF or diesel, then reinstall.

* Add at least five gallons of diesel to the fuel tank.

* Do not crank longer than thirty seconds at one time, then wait five minutes before further cranking.

You may need this thread.

Where can I find the Mother of all Jumper Cables?
Where can I find the Mother of all Jumper Cables?

Have a great day.

[Parrot of Doom]

And be prepared to buy a battery charger

[whunter]

Originally Posted by Parrot of Doom

And be prepared to buy a battery charger

Get at least a 100 AMP unit, if you want to recharge under 24 hours.

[joegolden]

Thanks whunter! I only put 2 gallons in it and so I went and filled my can up two more time for a total of 6 and presto! Well sorta presto took several cranks and some rocking of the car. I was also on a slight incline back so a friend help me get it on level ground. Man I dont want to see or hear that engine shake, grumble and clatter like it did tonight ever again! I though the damn thing was gonna come apart. Whew thanks for the help guys...

Joe

[whunter]

Originally Posted by joegolden

Thanks whunter! I only put 2 gallons in it and so I went and filled my can up two more time for a total of 6 and presto! Well sorta presto took several cranks and some rocking of the car. I was also on a slight incline back so a friend help me get it on level ground. Man I don't want to see or hear that engine shake, grumble and clatter like it did tonight ever again! I though the damn thing was gonna come apart. Whew thanks for the help guys...

Joe

Very glad you are on the road again.

You learned the hard way that diesel engines do NOT like running empty.

Be happy it's not a Peterbilt or Kenworth, they can be a major pain if the tank goes dry on the road.

[SirNik84]

don't ask me how this happend...

I was driving down I-5 at about 75 MPH, i turned off onto a side road, and went about 100 yards and the car shut off. full tank... what could make the car shut off? so i poped the hood and the damn spin on filter was laying in the fenderwell. i screwed it back on by hand (no tools with me) and primed the pump with the plunger. it shook like it was going to ecplode. but it was alive. drove it for another 1.5 hrs home and changed both fuel filters..

odd part about this is i hadn't messed under the hood for a few weeks when the thing fell off.

I know what you mean about being happy to hear it come back to life.

[Shorebilly]

G'mornin' Folks,

Runing any Diesel motor out of fuel is not good. It causes your Injection Pump to run dry.....even for a few strokes, the metal to metal surfaces can be damaged, because they are lubricated by the fuel itself.

Personally, I try never to get below 1/4 tank........and have never seen the little reserve light illuminated (excepting in starting)......

SB

[Diesel Dan]

I've found the best way to prime an '87 300D is to pull the fuel hose off the IP, and use a vacuum pump to pull the fuel all the way up to that point. stick the hose back on the IP and it should be only minimal cranking before it starts. That saves your battery, starter, and IP from excessive wear and tear.

[MTUpower]

C'mon guys.... When you run out of fuel in a diesel you are much better off cracking the injector lines and cranking until fuel comes out the line. Then tighten all lines but one and leave that one very close to closed. When the engine starts to fire then close the last one. Wear safety glasses.

[bgkast]

Originally Posted by Shorebilly

G'mornin' Folks,

Runing any Diesel motor out of fuel is not good. It causes your Injection Pump to run dry.....even for a few strokes, the metal to metal surfaces can be damaged, because they are lubricated by the fuel itself.

Personally, I try never to get below 1/4 tank........and have never seen the little reserve light illuminated (excepting in starting)......

SB

In these engines the injection pumps are primarily lubricated by engine oil.

[Shorebilly]

Originally Posted by bgkast

In these engines the injection pumps are primarily lubricated by engine oil.

You are absolutely correct in your statement that the FI Pump is lubricated by engine oul.....in the lower half....the part containing bearings and camshaft, and engine oil also lubes the governor.....

BUT

The upper half...the pump plungers and barrels and delivery valves...are ONLY lubed by the fuel being pumped...whatever that fuel may be....those parts are all metal to metal, machined to fit, precision, ultra close tolerance parts.....thus the threads around here relating to concern over lack of lubricity in ULSD....

Photo below is a cutaway of a Bosch Fuel Injection Pump of similar type to those used in your Benz....



Photo Courtesy: Diesel Engineering Handbook 12th Edition; Stinson (page 86)

Another cutaway of a Bosch Fuel Injection Pump of similar type to those used on your Benz....



Photo Courtesy: Diesel Engine Reference Book, Lilly
SB

FYI....ALL Fuel Injection Pumps, no matter what the brand or design are lubed in this manner....as well as the metal to metal parts within the Fuel Injection Nozzels (Fuel Injectors).....those parts are called needles and guides.....