Hey Guys - N00b here with issues!
 

Hey everyone

My name is Zack, and I have a 1979 MB 300D sedan that I acquired on Craigslist from another member of this forum. I am located in Conway, Arkansas, and in addition to the 300D I own a few MGB sports cars.

Johnathan had told me some time ago to join and I had been putting it off, but I am experiencing my first MBZ vehicle trouble, and figured this would be the place to turn!

I am having a starting issue with the car. It will not crank over. I have changed both fuel filters, and primed the spinon filter with diesel. However, other than an occassional cough, it will not crank over. I also ran a line from a 2 gallon jug of diesel directly to the spinon filter's incoming spout without success.

I am not very familiar with diesels in general, so any help you'd be able to point me towards would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!
Zack

Check your glow plugs. I believe the original equipment on that car is a set of series glow plugs. If one fails, they all fail. If they are not working, it would be wise to upgrade to the retrofit pencil plugs.

So the engine turns over but won't start? I would check your glow plugs. They are usually the first thing to check when the car won't start.

IF you are not familiar with glow plugs
 

and the preglow process do this....

Turn your key to 'on' but not to 'start' -
you should see the customary 'idiot lights' along with a yellow light with a pig tail graphic on it.
IF YES- wait until it goes off then start.

IF NO- count a slow 10-12 seconds then try to start. Does it start?

If yes- trouble shoot your GP relay and light circuit
If no- DO YOU HAVE A small tab that looks like a key in the panel and a pull knob on the opposite side with a 'salt shaker cap' somewhere nearby??;) OR it's time for new plugs and/or relay.

Btw
 

I used to have a '73 MGB. I was stationed at Ft. Bragg and (as a single soldier) I spent a few weekends at Myrtle Beach. If I drove that car, I always got phone numbers (sometimes more) from girls in bikinis.

Hey guys thanks for the tip.

What threw me off was that the glow plug light was acting as normal. I had been driving the car, and knew that it took about 2 plug cycles to start it. When it did not start today, it did not act any different.

I changed the front three glow plugs, and VOILA! Instant start. The two in the back are a future project. I am suprised I got the first three changed without yanking the fuel lines on the first try LOL

Thanks guys!