I am having issues with my '80 240D. I was sitting at stop light, pressed on the gas, then dead. Couldn't start up after several tries. I had to push the car to side of the road to avoid traffic! This was busiest/worst place to have a car die.

Anyway, I looked at the fuel gauge and it looked low. Maybe it was reading wrong. After a while, I got diesel in it and it still wouldn't start. The engine would try to turn over, but just struggle.

Now, it's sitting with no solution. However, I did notice that the glow plug light would blink after several attempts at starting it.

Also, could it be the fuel line is not getting enough pressure to get the fuel to the engine?

Any help would be appreciated!

Its not electric..since yu have a diesel...fuel filter? Glow plugs? secondary fuel..crap..i own 8 cars and the only diesel s my precious 300d

Help?

try that!

There's are 100's of posts on this..I hope yu are ok!

Were you out of fuel? If so, have you primed your line with the pump? Look at your prefilter for fuel, gunk.

John

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
2002 F250 powerstroke with Plantdrive WVO conversion
1983 300SD 190K miles ,sold
2006 E320 CDI

Sounds like a fuel issue. I would replace both fuel filters, and see if that solves the issue. If not you might also have a clogged tank strainer. I have experienced hard starts and stalling with a severly clogged tank strainer.

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You probably ran it out of fuel, put 5 gallons in the tank and pump the hand pump a billion times. That should do it.

I would have called 1-800-4Mercedes and had roadside bring the fuel, unless a station was close.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

off the topic but how does one register with 1800 4mercedes
aside from calling that number

Register?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

free for any mercedes, any miles, any owner.

not towing, but they will jump start, unlock, bring fuel, bring a new battery, etc.
you will have to pay for any parts/fuel.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

A few gallons of fuel are free from the MB roadside. They only charge for parts or if it needs to be towed. No labor fees or need to register.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Excellent. Thanks guys.
I do believe the issue lies within the fuel pump. I will try hatterasguy's solution.

Also, silly question...where's the hand pump?

If you have run out of fuel, you may help yourself by removing the secondary filter, the spin on one, and fill it up with fuel, then crack each nut on top of the injectors, and prime away till some fuel weeps out of all, or most of them.
The primer (hand) pump is located on the drivers side of the Injection Pump itself. The old style ones have a white knurled knob you must loosen to pump, and tighten back down when done.
In the pic I have replaced mine with a black push knob unit, but you'll see where it's located.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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83 SD

84 CD

Look at the engine from the driver's side.

Find the fuel line with the primary - clear, inline - fuel filter. Follow it to the side of the engine.

Locate another fuel line coming off the engine up to the secondary fuel filter -- the spin-on one that looks like a small oil filter.

The priming pump is between these two lines, about the diameter of a toothbrush travel case. The original ones are white plastic -- unscrew the top to the left a couple of turns, and pump until you hear fuel going through that bigger filter. You will have a nice blister on your fingers from the serrations on the top by this time. There may be quite a bit of fuel that leaks out & dribbles down the side of the engine as you pump. Pump anyway. When the engine starts, lock the top by turning it to the right. As soon as you get a chance, buy & install the new type of pump (not a big job) which is black, doesn't leak, and won't eat up your hand.

If you run out of fuel and don't pump the priming pump, the engine will never start --- that's why these cars have the hand pump and gas cars don't.

On many of these old cars, the screen in the fuel tank (diesels run on diesel fuel, have fuel pedals, run out of fuel, etc ) becomes partially clogged from decades of crud. My 240D will only let me burn about 14.5 gallons of fuel before it "runs out of fuel', even though my tank is much larger -- at least 18 gallons (maybe 21).

It sounds like you ran out, and just need to prime the fuel lines again.

Good luck.

Ed

Thanks Estod and Toomany MBZ! That worked! Took a few tries and many pumps. At first the engine would stutter and pulse. Eventually it caught on and was back to roaring as usual.

So, I have one last question. How do you take out the drive seat?? I saw instructions on taking out the passenger seat, but the front bolts on the driver side are different. Like they are updside down or something. Any thoughts or should I start a new thread?

Thanks again.