Why won't my 240D Start?? Vacuum problem? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yellit · #16 05-01-2007, 03:42 AM

I put the new style bosch hand pump on mine..... much easier to fool with.....another good idea is to change the two rubber feed lines (ones on each side of the see through pre-filter) if they have been on a while....they can suck air and not leak fuel sometimes....You can get a rebuild kit for the IP driven lift pump....a lot less $$$ than a new Lift pump....If you think that is the problem.....you are getting close.....we are pulling for you out here......apppreciate the good feedback on your progress....look at all the fun Toyota Camry drivers miss....

The Brown/Blue line is the correct line for the Vacuum shut off....

ajrn · #17 05-01-2007, 04:10 AM

Yellit..

Yeah-- I feel like I've got her on the ropes, now..

Before I came in, I took a cheap 17mm wrench, and ground it down some, so it fits on the injectors with a smidge more room.. These injectors look identical to what's on my 1.6 NA VW diesel engines-- I know they use a Bosch design, as well, so the wrench'll be my 'specialized' injector wrench.. I may also cut the box end off of it, since I can't put that on a line anyway-- and it's not like you need to put a whole lot of torque on the injector pump and injector nuts.. Like I said, it's a cheap "Harbor Freight" wrench-- so if I ruin it, uh I may be out a buck or two..

Hey-- off my own topic, but

I think, after it's running again, I'll be making a pair of 14mm wrenches for adjusting valves.. Sounds like they need to be made thin, and different lengths, so I'm not banging them together.. I can blow through quite a few "HF" wrenches, for the $$'s they want for a "good" set of adjusting wrenches..

...need to order valve cover gaskets for the 240D, and my SD, not sure when either has had the clearances checked.. Do those need to be replaced after each use?? They're pretty re-usable on my VW engines, unless they've been there "too long." I was going to order two for each motor, to keep a spare here, if they have to be disposed of each time.. I keep spare "disposables" or try to (oil, air, fuel filters, etc) for everything I own, here on the shelf.. I hate needing them, and having to get them.. With the VW's and now the MB's-- it means days till they're shipped here, for almost everything, unless I need a fanbelt from Autozone or something like that..

Anyway--

Thanks for your patience.. There are a lot of MB boards out here-- I'm finding a large number of them are-- uh, less than useless..

I think I've found good one.. Sorry to say, you'll likely be seein' me here pretty often..

AJ

yellit · #18 05-01-2007, 04:58 AM

Yep I made me the wrenches also....Another thing you need to check is how much dc voltage is getting to the glow plugs during the glow cycle.....forget about the dash glow lamp...It can drive you crazy because it can light without anything getting to the plugs if the relay has gone whacky....put a voltmeter on the plugs and check the voltage level and how long the relay glows them before timing out....

About the VW's...had me a brand new Red Scirocco "S" back in 1980....kept it until about 1986 and I still regret selling it....fun cars.....I almost bought one of the little VW diesel trucks instead and those are a blast.....

Your IP is probably ok....got a friend here that owns a Bosch injection shop and he said the IP's on these old Benzes are just about bullet proof......He says a lot of them are replaced when the real problem is usually something else.....The important thing is to have a good solid bubble free (fuel lake) moving through the IP fuel chamber so the little plungers can pick up the tiny injection fuel quantities and push them through the lines to the injectors...any bubbles flowing through the IP body will not let the barrels fill above the plungers like they should...then poor fuel columns to the injectors..keep us posted........Cheers!......

ajrn · #19 05-01-2007, 09:36 AM

<-- me!!
It's running!!

I also found and capped the vac line this morning-- that was keeping the car from shutting off with the key.. Instead of the golf tee, I used a screw.. I know there are purists that will want to shoot me for not repairing the central locks-- but Pearl is an old rust bucket.. (Let me explain)

While dancin' in the driveway, and making my suspicious neighbors even MORE anxious

.. I heard a grinding noise

..

The radiator lower core support appears to have given way (rust thru) at least on the driver's side.. Luckily it was only the fan tagging the shroud, and not the radiator.. I was probably leaning on it and finished it off, with my luck..

I have to get underneath it again anyway-- my next job, before it stalled, was to replace the downpipe.. Right now it sounds like a favorite scene from "Scarface.."

...another reason I'm a favorite with my suburban neighbors!

I'm waiting for the "For Sale By NEIGHBORS" sign on my front yard!

Anyways-- thanks all, for your constructive assistance.. Each day I'm closer to having a drivable old bomber...

Palangi · #20 05-01-2007, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Uh, I think I would stick to the primer pump. I had to replace mine a couple of months ago, and it was the new style!

Hmmm... I had to replace the new style primer on the 240D a while back. I have not heard any other mention of failures on the new type. I wonder if it could be related to the new fuel.

ULSD = Ultra Leak Starting Diesel....

cewyattjr · #21 05-01-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajrn

:
I'm waiting for the "For Sale By NEIGHBORS" sign on my front yard!

That made me laugh. I think mine wish the same thing with all my WVO containers on my front porch.

Congrat's on getting her started!

-Chuck

ajrn · #22 05-03-2007, 12:53 AM

Okay..

Before I order the replacement-- how do I tell the difference between new and old type??

...and I never got an answer on the valve cover gasket-- each time replacement, or are they good to go for a few valve adjustments, if they haven't been there forever??? I'm betting at least on my 240D, it's been awhile since it's been done-- the PO was a lawyer, not a mechanic, and-- uh, it showed..

Lycoming-8 · #23 05-03-2007, 01:17 AM

The old style primer pump has a round white knob that needs to be unthreaded and pulled up to start the priming, then pushed down and threaded into the base at the end of each use to keep it sealed. The new one has a black round cylindrical knob that can be pushed down at any time to start the priming operation. This one does not need to be threaded or unthreaded.

You will likely get several answers on the valve cover gasket. I routinely only changed the one on the 220D when and if it started to show a leak. The one on the 300D looks almost identical, except for the extra cylinder. However there is probably more heat to deal with on the turbo engine, which will likely shorten the gasket life.

yellit · #24 05-03-2007, 01:21 AM

New style hand pump is a small black metal cylinder...you just push it...it is spring loaded......you can also turn it.. but it does not unscrew....about the size of a roll of dimes.....easy to use...

Old style...white plastic with a narrow looking hand wheel on its top...you must unscrew it to pump it up and down...not spring loaded....more trouble

Valve cover gasket....rubber with a deep channel...good for many valve adjustments....until it loses its flex properties and becomes hard and less pliable...

Nice work on staying with it....the neighbors now have a new challenge...you have given fresh meaning to their lives.....Cheers!.........kb

ajrn · #25 05-03-2007, 01:58 AM

Well--

there's some history with the neighbors..

Last year, they called the city, because my VW Cabriolet had the rear axle out of it for two weeks.. (I guess the "city" only allows 24 hours!)

I called the city guy, and explained I needed to REMOVE the rear axle to replace a gas tank that was leaking fuel onto the city streets. I told him it was being repaired, as it wasn't like I could go to Autozone and walk out with a new one.. That while it was off, I was replacing the rear suspension (struts) and rear brakes/brake lines..

He sighed.. Says-- the neighbors didn't tell me you were a "CAR GUY.."

I laughed-- "No sir, I'm a Nurse, but with what your city charges in taxes, I can't afford to have someone else do my stuff.."

...There was a pause. He laughed..

I told him the tank was 'supposed' to be back-- and gave him the name of the shop that had it.. I said, "maybe you calling would speed them up??"

...He said that wouldn't be necessary-- I said, "darn, I really wanted to finish the car this weekend!"

Yeah, I'm known for legendary gaffes of decorum...

I told someone recently that I have a "filter between my brain and my mouth-- it gets clogged sometimes.." When she asked how I changed it-- I replied, "usually with my foot..."

Anyway--

I'll get new valve cover gaskets for both of them-- since I don't know when either of them have been done.. I guess I'll see if the SD has the "new" primer pump as well.. Might as well get one for her, too..

Thanks for the help-- I'm afraid you will be seeing WAY to much of me, around here!

AJ RN

Cervan · #26 05-03-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajrn

Okay--

On my VW's-- I'd fill the fuel filter (usually with ATF), then had to crank the engine, and crack open the injectors, to get them to prime.. Their IP's have an electric stop solenoid, and they WILL NOT RUN if they don't get their voltage-- so this is why I was worried I had a vac problem..

When I did this-- I wasn't getting any fuel out..

Granted, patience is a virtue, lost on me..

I've got a new starter (mentioned) and decent battery.. Am I not crankin' long enough?? Or is injector line priming not necessary with these beasts??

I didn't realize the vac just shut it off.. That's kind of a relief!!

When I get 'Pearl' started again, they'll be a party in my driveway-- I'd invite you all over, but I think I've only got two beers left in the fridge!

Anything else you can think of, is appreciated..

AJ

hell i would get that engine running in a matter of minutes (30 exactly) then ill party with you the rest of the day

ajrn · #27 05-03-2007, 07:19 PM

Sorry, Cervan

I got it running a few days ago.. The party is already over, and SWMBO has already sent the dancin' girls home..

I'm sure they'll be another party soon, the doctor says I should be out of the cast in no time!

VW1300 · #28 05-03-2007, 11:28 PM

ajrn - I'm not clear on exactly what fixed the problem - was it the hand pump? Congratulations on your success though.

ajrn · #29 05-04-2007, 02:39 AM

Yeah-- looks like..

I cut the line from the tank to the filter, put in a small electric fuel pump (facet) and used that to prime it.. Still seemed to take FOREVER-- but it's relative, now..