1982 240D wont start after fuel filter replaced - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gymno · #1 11-06-2007, 01:51 AM

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a 1982 240d Mercedes automatic Engine Number: 616 912 12 073911, which needed GPs. I replaced the glow plugs and it was working brilliantly, it started without problems even when it was really cold.

I noticed the fuel pre-filter had some dirt in it and bought a new one. While at the parts store the counter person sold me on buying the main fuel filter as well.

I replaced the pre-filter and notice no problems, ran it for a couple of days. Then I decided to change the oil as I didn't really know how long it had been since the last change. While I was waiting for the oil to drain, I installed the new fuel filter. (I had consulted this forum so I thought I knew what I was in for). Finished changing the oil. Then I went to start it, (used the primer pump) it started but only ran briefly, so I primed it more and will crank but will not start. I don't see any air in the fuel lines coming out of the filter housing.

I removed the hard lines at the injectors and the 2 cylinders in the back squirt fuel (not much) but the front two don't seem to even after several cranks.

I feel like pulling my hair out, it was running days ago without incident and now it is parked. Any suggestions on where I go from here? Is there something simple I am overlooking?

#2 11-06-2007, 02:04 AM

Pump the primer about 5,000,000 times and crank the engine for 30 second intervals until it starts.

If the primer pump leaks when you pump it, it may be letting air in and needs to be replaced.

charmalu · #3 11-06-2007, 02:12 AM

when I changed the spin on filter, I filled it before I reinstalled it. pumped the primer 15 20 times and started the engine. it ran sputtered a little till the air was purged.
Sounds like you still have air in the system.
If you have the old style primer pump. up grade to the new one. nothing to unscrew, just pump.

Charlie

gymno · #4 11-06-2007, 03:08 AM

I just went out and pumped it probably 5,000 time and I'm sure the neighbors are unhappy when I cranked it about 5 times. But I did notice a slight moistness on the primer pump, It is pretty foggy and I'm sure there was diesel spilled from when I made sure the fuel filter had fuel, but to be on the safe side I will replace the primer pump tomorrow if I can find one. Hopefully this will solve the problem and get it back on the road

Thanks for the help, this forum rocks! I will let you know what happens.

777funk · #5 11-07-2007, 07:54 AM

My old primer pump leaked at the top seal between the actual pumping handle and the seat it screws down onto when done. I just got an o-ring about the circumference of that white pump handle and put it over that to make a seal with the pump body when screwed down. Worked just fine.

Just make sure that o-ring is a little tight when you slip it over the white pump handle.

That's what worked for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gymno

I just went out and pumped it probably 5,000 time and I'm sure the neighbors are unhappy when I cranked it about 5 times. But I did notice a slight moistness on the primer pump, It is pretty foggy and I'm sure there was diesel spilled from when I made sure the fuel filter had fuel, but to be on the safe side I will replace the primer pump tomorrow if I can find one. Hopefully this will solve the problem and get it back on the road

Thanks for the help, this forum rocks! I will let you know what happens.

tobybul · #6 11-07-2007, 09:27 AM

did u loosen anyone of the top bolts right above the filter while you were priming? Doing so will help let any air out that is trapped in the cavities of the filter area. Make sure you tighten it back b4 starting car.

doxland · #7 11-07-2007, 05:47 PM

When you are operating the primer you can tell if it's pumping fuel or air. If it's pumping fuel it will feel like squirting fluid out of a syringe; If it's air it will be pretty obvious and tell you with low or variable resistance like an air fluid mixture. If you're still sucking a bit of air you must address this first as a leaking fitting on the suction side. Next crack a drain at the relief/return of the injection pump and then pump until you get a clear stream and close. Then crack an injector line and crank until fuel starts squirting and close it it. You can do this with all if you like but now it'll begin to fire on one and the others will likely fill with a bit of cranking.

toomany MBZ · #8 11-07-2007, 08:09 PM

Before I install a new spin on filter, I fill it with fuel, and prime the primary filter, with the smaller bolt on top of the spin on housing loosened, to let air out of the system, starts right up.

charmalu · #9 11-08-2007, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gymno

I just went out and pumped it probably 5,000 time and I'm sure the neighbors are unhappy when I cranked it about 5 times. But I did notice a slight moistness on the primer pump, It is pretty foggy and I'm sure there was diesel spilled from when I made sure the fuel filter had fuel, but to be on the safe side I will replace the primer pump tomorrow if I can find one. Hopefully this will solve the problem and get it back on the road

Thanks for the help, this forum rocks! I will let you know what happens.

Don`t worry about the neighbors, they have their own set of problems

.

These old Diesels are like a woman, get them primed up real good, and
they will happily take you on a ride

.

Charlie

pdrayton · #10 11-08-2007, 07:45 AM

I always bleed the air , as described in the FSM. Loosen the 17mm bolt that is closest to the front of the car about 1 rotation (on the top of the filtering mount - it has an arrow pointing towards the engine cover) and pump the primer until only fuel comes out the loosened bolt. Tighten the bolt again.

Now repeat the process with the return bolt - the one on top of the filter housing that has the return lines from the injectors plugged into it.

Brian Carlton · #11 11-08-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

Before I install a new spin on filter, I fill it with fuel,

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

gymno · #12 11-09-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

did u loosen anyone of the top bolts right above the filter while you were priming? Doing so will help let any air out that is trapped in the cavities of the filter area. Make sure you tighten it back b4 starting car.

Yes I did do this, my friend who runs WVO showed me that trick, thanks for the tip tho.

gymno · #13 11-09-2007, 12:29 AM

Hey guys here is my update,

I called the local eugene (oregon btw) service parts and they quoted me $180 for a replacement primer pump. I figured they could only sell me the whole shabang or something. So, I called the Mercedes Benz dealer of Eugene and they wanted $280. I ended up ordering it from benzpartstore.com which with 2-day air was $40.

I put it on today, primed system, couldn't get fuel out of the hard lines. Cracked them cranked engine spit fuel out of all four injectors

then before I could get any further battery died (probably from the week of cranking w/o driving). Its on the charger now, tomorrow I have high hopes it will start with some cranking.

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm an amateur mechanic at best. I do fix computers for a living so troubleshooting is what I do every day. If anyone needs computer advice hit me up I'll be happy to help.

Scott98 · #14 11-09-2007, 12:34 AM

This forum also sells parts. Your primer pump is $28 here. Click on the "buy parts" icon at the top of the page.

http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=282015ZJ42820168ZT&year=1982&make=MB&model=240-D-002&category=D&part=Primer+Pump

Diesel911 · #15 11-09-2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gymno

Hey guys here is my update,

I called the local eugene (oregon btw) service parts and they quoted me $180 for a replacement primer pump. I figured they could only sell me the whole shabang or something. So, I called the Mercedes Benz dealer of Eugene and they wanted $280. I ended up ordering it from benzpartstore.com which with 2-day air was $40.

I put it on today, primed system, couldn't get fuel out of the hard lines. Cracked them cranked engine spit fuel out of all four injectors

then before I could get any further battery died (probably from the week of cranking w/o driving). Its on the charger now, tomorrow I have high hopes it will start with some cranking.

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm an amateur mechanic at best. I do fix computers for a living so troubleshooting is what I do every day. If anyone needs computer advice hit me up I'll be happy to help.

Do you have the fuel injection pump at full throttle when you are cranking the engine and the fuel injector lines are cracked open? Even though the glowplugs were replaced do they still appear to be working correctly?