Pull started 300SD82 now possible Transmission trouble
 

I fear I may have gone from bad to worse.

After days of trying to start my 300sd82 after running out of fuel. I went out and pull started the car. It started up and ran fine. I drove around for about 20 mins gave it a rest and went for another 20 min drive.

Then I parked it for the night. The glow plugs are bad, so as I figured it would not start again today. So we hooked her up and tried to pull start it again.

This time nothing appears to be happening. It doesn't feel like the Trans. is engaging. Although there is some resistence (very little bit) when I drop it into L, it is not turning over.

So is my worst fear correct? Did I toast the tranny or could there possibly be another explanation? Although it will be a gutshot to have to replace the tranny, I don't mind stepping up if I have to.

What do u think - thanks

Try and get the engine running first. Why would you keep pull starting it instead of getting the glowplugs working properly?? Glow plugs: $60 Transmission: $1400 Replace the cheaper stuff first instead of beating on the expensive parts!

I used all of my savings to buy the car. The day after I got the car I broke my foot and have been out of work. I need the car to run because I earn my living sitting behind it's wheel. Because I'm broke I need the car rolling in order to put green in my pocket. I was told not to worrry, pulling it would get it going and everything would be alright. I work one night and I have enough to buy glow plugs.

It was not the way I wanted to go but an act of desparation.

And please dont shout I feel bad enuff as it is.

It would take dozens, if not hundreds of pull starts to ruin a Mercedes transmission, unless the transmission was very close to catastrophic failure at the outset. Are you certain that you are following the correct procedure for pull-starting??

The good news is that you DID get the motor to start after running out of fuel...

Did you try starting the car normally today?

Yes I did try to start normally. It cranked good and fast but it is cold now in Syracuse NY and it would not fire. Because pulling it worked so well yesterday we gave it another go.

The tranny was giving me some grief but the shift levers are worn out and need replacing. Reverse was working but a wee bit slow to catch. I was reading the other Tranny posts and saw that there may be an adjustment doohicky on the passenger side of the car. I was on my to get more info from the car like the series number if that would be helpful.

After we pulled it last night she ran great. Or as good as I expected. Nothing seemed worse than it was before. But I lack experience with this car and was wondering if my problem could be simpler that a tranny meltdown. The engine cranks strong.

When we tried pulling it today I put the key in the glowplug position with the car in N. Got up to 20 mph and put the car in L. At first nothing seemed to be happening. But then I noticed that when I shifted back to N the pulling car was able to carry the load easier. Shifting back to L put more burden on the pulling car.

So it seems to be doing "something" it just aint turning over like it did yesterday.

I was hoping to find a few suggestions. Any guidance would be helpful.

I have an acquaintce who has a few parts cars. I have been unable to reach him but he may be able to help with a cheap replacement tranny.

However, if there is a simpler method I would like to explore that first.

Once you got it pull started, it should have started up again given reasonable quality GP's and a good battery charge. The fact it didnt suggests a leak allowing air into the fuel system causing you to lose fuel system prime overnight.

You need to have reasonable compression also.

The trans modulator is on the left side of the trans (drivers side), not right side. Thats a job for another day.

The manual says that you should get the car rolling at 35mph for about a quarter mile FIRST, then put selector into "S" with the key on. You might not have the ground speed high enough (you said you were going 20mph) and the trans needs to build up pressure from the back pump... Thats why they say to pull it for a distance first.

Thats Right, Get it up to at least 35mph.

Also check the passenger side of the engine bay to see if there is a electric plug for the block heater. I would plug that in and let the coolant warm up. then with another running car jumping your battery, I would cycle the glow plugs about 3 times and then try cranking while getting a boost. If that doesn't work, then I would try to pull start it again, no less than 35mph.

Syracuse N.Y. is very cold, you might have a few things going on, bad battery + weak alternator , bad glow plugs, + Cold weather = no start. You have to get the car as warm as possible. heated garage is good too.

When my 81 wouldnt start because of bad glow plugs i just shot starting fluid in the air cleaner and it would start right up! Why not try that? starting fluid shouldnt cost much $$

Because starting fluid can blow the prechambers apart, blow the headgasket apart.....blow other things apart. NOT good to use....for the engine's sake.

I agree on the speed for tow starting. It may not hurt the tranny to do it, but its probably not that good for it either....especially if it has high miles.

You really need a powerful tow vehicle to get these things tow started. My SD didn't have enough umph to get our 300D to 35....I got to about 25 he engaged the tranny, and we fell below 20mph very quickly, despite full throttle. :eek: If I had more road available I may have pulled it off, my problem was I needed to do it with a fairly short distance to accomplish it.

Yesterday I was told 20-25. then go to low. I have no manual yet.

I checked with 2 people I know and the both said no more than 25 then shift into L.
Yesterday she would not start right away. We drove for about a mile and then she began to start. It stalled and then ran normal.

I gave up today and on the way back home I gave it a try on the last mile and could feel a bit of pressure but I dared the pulling car not to exceed 25. Stupid me.

Should I give it another pull start or beg or borrow the cash to put new GP's in the thing.


This bugggy came up from Va just last month. She ran and started fine until I ran her out of fuel which happened just as it got cold about 45F in the afternoon.

On the first cold day she began to start "cold" She's getting plenty of fuel and she cranks fast.

New battery and fresh charge.

I've become reasonably experieced of the sound of fuel starvation. I am positve she is getting fuel. Battery is top notch. And although I've put my wondering eyes on the modulator I haven't touched it yet.:)

Yesterday I recieved contradictory advice as to how to pull start. Some said 35 some said 20mph and one said 15-20. I called a friend who is a MB nut and he said 20 mph. I went with 25 and L because I figured that matched the torqe converter speed for that gear. But what do I know.

It should start at 35mph. I'd give it a try.