Another no start issue - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

byrdandcompany · #1 12-02-2006, 08:05 PM

Okay, about a week ago the car took a bit of cranking to get it going. Before that, it was always a 5-10 and boom, it was cranked and ready to go. At that time my glow plug light started to flash. It would flash for at least a minute. The temps were around 55-70 at that time.

Now, it won't start at all. I checked the gp relay. The #3 wasn't working. I turned the gp's on. Checked the plug and #3 wasn't working...okay, I figured I need to change the plug. I go and get a bosch gp and install it today. I let it go through two cycles of warming up and let it crank for 15 to 30 seconds. Nothing doing...the car won't start. I tried letting it crank for 45 seconds and still nothing. I don't have a block heater on this one and I am going to go and get a kit from Diesel Giant.

When I crank I can see white smoke coming out of the exhaust. I think my injector is fine and my timing chain is fine. I need to do a valve adjustment.

ANY IDEAS?

kerry · #2 12-02-2006, 09:42 PM

Are all the other glow plugs working?

byrdandcompany · #3 12-02-2006, 09:47 PM

as of yesterday all of the other gp's were working and all of the gp wires were tight against the gp's.

I also forgot to mention that I have zero blowby. The compression is good.

Jadavis · #4 12-02-2006, 10:54 PM

When you say cycles, do you mean you leave them on as long as the dash light is on or you leave them on until you hear the relay click off? My light stays on for 6 seconds. My glowplugs heat for 36 seconds as long as I do not try to start the car.

-Jim

byrdandcompany · #5 12-02-2006, 10:56 PM

I usually leave them on for about 30 seconds per cycle.

Jadavis · #6 12-02-2006, 11:01 PM

Well, there goes my easy fix!

-Jim

Brian Carlton · #7 12-03-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrdandcompany

as of yesterday all of the other gp's were working and all of the gp wires were tight against the gp's.

Please describe the tests that you performed to verify that the other GP's are working correctly.

byrdandcompany · #8 12-03-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Please describe the tests that you performed to verify that the other GP's are working correctly.

I followed the diesel giant pictorial on his site for checking the gp/gp relay/ gp wires.

I am about to do it again and see if I just didn't screw something up.

Knightrider966 · #9 12-03-2006, 12:18 PM

Your condition could be caused by burned valves if you have not done a valve adjustment in a while!

This is probably the most important step in keeping your Benz healthy and I forgot how many times I've seen burnt valves because of neglect! This would definitely cause a no start in lower temps and my Benz was blowing white smoke out the tailpipe when I got it because of this. My cure was to use my block heater temporarily and do a valve adjustment immediately and pull the head for a total rebuild and 3 angle valve job as soon as possible. while your at it, this would be a good time to check your timing chain for stretch too.

Lostyankee · #10 12-03-2006, 12:26 PM

If I understand correctly, you have verified the GPs and have good compression. The only thing left is fuel and getting the fuel to the cylinders.
Crank IP to nozzle line at the nozzle, crank over the engine (don't let it start), and hope for a mess of fuel. A rag placed under the nut helps! Sniff the fuel. Diesel Giant has a purge page & if you doubt your fuel, you can rig up the purge type temporary fuel tank (sounds tech. but this is just a pop bottle) and verify if this is a fuel issue.
My experience on IP settings is DO NOT TOUCH! In otherwords I don't play a IP doctor even on the web! I believe the IP setting rairly needs adjusting and if the vehicle did run in the recent past, then we can assume it is still OK.
Fuel issues include algae, water, summer blend used in winter ...
A good compression MB diesel should start even without GPs in 40*F weather.