Please help. I'm Stranded - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

zsmith29 · #1 03-12-2008, 07:26 PM

Hey Guys,
I am stuck. My 300 D will turn but it just "putter putter putters". It seems to turn but it will just not catch and turn over. I have already changed both of the fuel filters, taken the air filter off, and I pumped the primer many many times.

It has been a little slow in starting up lately, (for a week or two) what should I do??

I have 3 big meetings in the morning and I hope I don't have to ride the bus.

sd300td · #2 03-12-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zsmith29

Hey Guys,
I am stuck. My 300 D will turn but it just "putter putter putters". It seems to turn but it will just not catch and turn over. I have already changed both of the fuel filters, taken the air filter off, and I pumped the primer many many times.

It has been a little slow in starting up lately, (for a week or two) what should I do??

I have 3 big meetings in the morning and I hope I don't have to ride the bus.

glowplugs?

zsmith29 · #3 03-12-2008, 07:31 PM

I replaced all 5 back in the fall when I bought the car and I added the new relay. Could they have gone bad that quick?

Brian Carlton · #4 03-12-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zsmith29

Could they have gone bad that quick?

One will never know..........until you do some tests.

Have a voltmeter?

Check for voltage at the plugs when the key is first turned to the #2 position.

Then, check resistance on each plug:
Pull the plug that goes into the relay and check all five sockets. See how many are open (infinite resistance).

tobybul · #5 03-12-2008, 07:51 PM

Was it always starting fine? what have you recently done to it that might have changed something?

If all's you did was the fuel filter, theres a good chance its air related....

sd300td · #6 03-12-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zsmith29

I replaced all 5 back in the fall when I bought the car and I added the new relay. Could they have gone bad that quick?

Unlikely, but possible. Does your glow system light work properly and everything?

#7 03-12-2008, 07:52 PM

check your hand primer pump...mine did the same thing... seal in the hand primer pump was bad and was sucking in air thus not allowing the car to start but would turn over....and yeah voltmeter is a good idea as well....good luck

Stevo · #8 03-12-2008, 08:11 PM

What brand GPs did you get? Champion, Autolite & Monarch have been known to fail quickly. The first cause, much of the time, for not starting is one or more bad GPs. Eliminate that first.

Diesel911 · #9 03-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Do a google Search for Diesel Gaint he has a gooded pictorial on checking the glow plugs.
Also depending on what brand of glow plugs you used they could last from 2weeks to several years.
At least check and see if the glow plug relay fuese is burned or cracked.

Alberta Luthier · #10 03-12-2008, 08:31 PM

Fuse strip?

johninva · #11 03-12-2008, 08:33 PM

sounds like air in the system to me

t walgamuth · #12 03-12-2008, 08:57 PM

I suspect bacteria in the fuel to begin with and now air in the system.

A biocide treatment and then to get it running spray some wd 40 into the intake with the air filter removed. You might need a new primer pump too.

Good luck.

Tom W

zsmith29 · #13 03-12-2008, 11:28 PM

Wow Guys, thanks so much for the help. I have quite a morning tomorrow. Here ya go--

I have recently replaced the primer pump and there is a chance I did not get it tight enough (well that was several months ago).

OK dumb question. What setting do I put the voltmeter on. I have the oldschool style meter (it has a rotary spind dial and about 10 or so different settings).
Brian CarltonQuote:
Originally Posted by zsmith29

Could they have gone bad that quick?

One will never know..........until you do some tests.

Have a voltmeter?

Check for voltage at the plugs when the key is first turned to the #2 position.

Then, check resistance on each plug:
Pull the plug that goes into the relay and check all five sockets. See how many are open (infinite resistance).

The glow plug lights, and buzz is acting normal. In fact it all is normal w/ the exception of how it just won't quite turn over.

I don't think it is algae related b/c the fuel looks crystal clear in the see thru filter.

If there is air in the system what is the best way to get it out?

zsmith29 · #14 03-12-2008, 11:39 PM

Sorry, that did not come out clear. I will re-post that thead w/ out the quote from Brian C.

"Wow Guys, thanks so much for the help. I have quite a morning tomorrow. Here ya go--

I have recently replaced the primer pump and there is a chance I did not get it tight enough (well that was several months ago).

OK dumb question. What setting do I put the voltmeter on. I have the oldschool style meter (it has a rotary spind dial and about 10 or so different settings).

The glow plug lights, and buzz is acting normal. In fact it all is normal w/ the exception of how it just won't quite turn over.

I don't think it is algae related b/c the fuel looks crystal clear in the see thru filter.

If there is air in the system what is the best way to get it out?
"

Brian Carlton · #15 03-12-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zsmith29

OK dumb question. What setting do I put the voltmeter on. I have the oldschool style meter (it has a rotary spind dial and about 10 or so different settings).

For the voltage check at the plugs, you're looking for "DC volts" on the meter. The range should be something above 12...........either 25 or 50 will work fine.