How it going everyone. I have a 1983 Mercedes Benz 300d Turbo Diesel and i placed it in the garage since the end of November of 2006. Now im thinking about bringing her out for a nice warm up and im afraid of a few things that happened to me before i set her in the garage. I was at work and i pull out and go 15 feet and the thing dies. I push it back to the parking lot and see whats going on. My battery was done cause of all the attemps in starting it so i got a brand new one and it still wasnt starting. So someone tells me the filter is clogged so i bought a new SECONDARY filter and a PRIMARY filter but i still dont know how to put primary one on. i did put the new secondary and it didnt work. then i was wondering if i was out of gas and i wasnt so what the hell i put some gallons in it and then i thought of something, Diesel Conditioner or stuff at Avanced Auto Parts! Got out the secondary filter, poured some diesel out and put as much cleaner as i could. after about the 3rd crank she ran and a huge clould of black smoke came out and i was like, wow could the kerosene do this cause i used to put it in and used both. So i started to drive it for a week then dun dun dun problem, i go on the highway around 60 and the motor quits and i stopped and i didnt shut it off IT WAS STILL RUNNING BUT IT WASNT GASING, some white smoke came out. I was really confused i get home and put like 4 gallons of diesel in it and minute later it ran. So then i went to the gas station and filled her up and it was a FULL TANK and my guage was still stuck in the middle "and by the way can anyone help me with that too"?? This Car was bought BRAND NEW in 1983 all original parts not one new part except the secondary filter. I am still the 1st and only owner. Thank you for Reading and Hope you can help me out. I love My Mercedes and i dont know of a better car and fun ride. I just wish i can still have her and give on to my son in running condition. If i said Gas in this i meant diesel.

It sounds like something is in your fuel tank such as debris, algie ect. There is something in the bottom of your tank constricting the fuel delivery and there may be some feriegn fuel that should not be there as well. Just a guess good luck. White smoke can mean a lot of things, water, brake fluid, transmission fluid. Are you losing any of these fluids but not seeing any leaking underneath it?

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Ryan
1985 300D Turbo Diesel
1984 200 Euro

I hope you are putting diesel in the car- you said gas several times. If you've changed the two fuel filters- you ought to have less problems. If not plug in the words of "changing fuel filters" in the search and you'll find out how to do so. WHunter has the Do It Yourself (DIY) pages organized nicely. You tank level sender may be faulty so that's why your fuel tank readings are not correct. Keep the tank full of diesel at all times and then you wont have a run out of fuel condition.

Loosen the hose clamps. Pull hoses off filter. Insert new filter into hoses, noting proper orientation for direction of flow. Tighten hose clamps. Prime/bleed air with hand pump.

I AM NOT STUPID AND PUT GAS IN A DIESEL I KNOW BETTER. i am stupid for putting kerosene in it though. I used to use it in winter and the manual said to use half kerosene and half diesel

This car is original, i have not ever needed to prime, use the starter motor with the plug or anything. And believe it or no you guys yes original glow plugs. My Benz is still also strong, but yet i havent seen a diesel benz doing a burnout but this still has amazing acceleration up hills and 0-60 time. i bought it in america, and ever since all i have done is buy batteries ever couple years, start her up and drive. This last year has been hell for my benz.

Certainly sounds like a restriction of flow big time. ( Hence the BIG START when you topped off the fuel pre with clean fluid). Me, I'd start at the tank and work forward. Hopefully its not in the pump.

While you're at it ( and I just capped off my fuel lines for maintenance for the first time - so be advised this is noob advice) , I'd flush out the forward fuel system with some Diesel Purge to avoid future maintenance from the feed/return through to the injectors.

I'm learnin', I never say "gas" here, always the clinical "fuel".

Please dont take any offense, but " the last year has been hell".... well, in the proceeding sentence, you 'splain why. No maintenace. Brother dont cry on my shoulder when you step on your own d..k. ... no issue though, clean out the system.. if these cars have a "sock" or coarse filter in the tank, its likely gunked. And certainly a new fuel filter is required. ( and every so often I'm told) I'd purge it though and though ( LINES AND ALL!!!) AND while you ahve the forward lines draining into a bucket while your blowing them out, diesel purge the top of the system, IP to injectors.. Then you can go back to driving the heck out of it for another 20, er, 'scuse 30 years!

Peace. Out.

Well after my 2nd problem i drove it fine for 1-2 months with no problems i constantly see my exhaust and its clear now i give it a 20-30 minute warm up everyday. and soon since spring is here i am hoping no problems just a clean ride. does anyone have any pictures on doing the primary fuel filter and do you have prime it? Cant you take off the hose thats from the diesel line and put the new one on and wait for the diesel to go through the filter and then put it on. ?

I am not loosing any diesel fluids in it at all. only some normal things like an oil spot

Again, I'm the wrong guy to answer, but if you fill the filter with fuel, it should prime no problem. Your vintage does have a hand pump, does it not?? Use it.

You will find the ful instructions in the DIY section here I'm sure.

It May have one. i will have some engine pictures and other pictures soon so keep on checking back everyone.

definitely sounds like a fuel tank screen.. especially that it only runs with a more full tank.
after 20+ years of on and off sitting, you must have had some algae growth in there.
would drain the tank, change the screen, and refill with fresh diesel and some "startron" biocide treatment.
easy enough to do, but you might want to have your indy do it because of the potential mess. good luck.
by the way.. that is awesome that your the original owner and looking to "pass the oil burner".

To rule out restriction of flow or contamination in the fuel tank, try to bypass the fuel supply line from the tank and use a bottle of Gatorade or something with a fresh and clean Diesel fuel to feed the fuel pump and run the engine. Diesel Giant has a pictorial on his Diesel Purge procedure.

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'85 300D Turbo - CA Version

I'm going to agree with most, funky fuel screen. Gunk eventually settling there. Using up to a 50/50 mix with kero is okay as per owners manual. Kero does not have lubricants like diesel. This winter I used a 20 per cent mix, with PowerService for lube, a couple of tanks anyway. Replacing, or cleaning tank strainer, not fun, and I haven't even done it, run down fuel as much as you can, as screen is on bottom of tank, remove line, and with a large deep socket, pull strainer, screen, filter what ever it's called, replace. Sending unit is eaisly replaced, it's under first aid kit, remove a couple of screws, pull out toward front, I think, unscrew, replace with new gasket as well. When all is done, new filters too, straight forward replacment on those, open bolt on top of screw on filter, pump primer, {white thing just in front of IP, loosen first, pump, retighten} till you hear a squeak and see fuel, tighten back down, some folks will say to also crack injector lines next, I have had little success, just crank, eventually will start. Once straightened out, excercise regularly. Hope this helps.

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83 SD

84 CD

Hello Everyone that sent me a reply thank you, i started her up. she ran like a beast, felt like she was never in hybernation. I am amazed at how great shes running. im going to have a new post and some pics alright thanks you everyone.!