1993 E320 D Will not start

[skptap03]

I just purchased a 93 E320 D and drove it back from Chicago. The car ran excellent. For the first few days it was in the garage but then I had to put it outside. A few days later I went to start it but it would not start. A few more days after that I got it started by holding the accelerator pedal to the floor. While it was running I kept the rev's at 1300. When it warmed up I released the pedal and it will not idle nor restart again. I perplexed, since it ran so well and started when it was garaged. Since I am not familar with the "D" any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Tim

[Matt L]

Are you sure about the year, engine size and the fuel type?

[skptap03]

Sorry for the confusion. The correct year is a 95. ALso the car is now in MI.

[TMAllison]

Assuming its a 95 E300D, look at the clear plastic fuel lines and let us know which one has bubbles in it.

You purge the air from the system by cranking the starter 30 secs at a time resting for an hour or so after the 3rd attempt. Helps to park nose downhill and to have +1/2 tank of fuel.

[skptap03]

RIght now it's dark here in MI and I tried looking with a flashlight but could not find the lines. Could you please give me an approximate location of them? Thanks for your help.

[TMAllison]

It is a diesel right?

The fuel filter is at the front of the engine. In brief, there are 5-6 plastic fuel lines running between it and the Injection Pump (beneath the manifold).

Identify which line(s) have bubbles present and we can tell you which is the problem.
http://detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=210020&M=606%2E912&GA=722%2E438722%2E600&GM=717%2E446&CT=M&cat=19T&SID=07&SGR=120&SGN=04

[skptap03]

Thanks for the quick response. I looked at the lines when I got home tonight and they are discolored so I can't see any bubbles. The tank if 3/4 full. I did the cranking thing 3 times and it did not want to start so I am going to leave it for tonight so I don't burn up the starter. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Tim

[TMAllison]

Then the easy thing to do is to purchase all of them. They are clear when new and replacing them ought to resolve the problem. You ahve the part numbers already. The group of them costs ~$60-70.

Also get a shut off valve oring, pre-filter oring, pre-filter, and fuel filter (comes with orings for the bolt and/or kill switch).

We are still proceeding under the assumption it is a E300D of course.