I recently purchased this '83 240d, manaul trans with 293K on it. It was shipped to Michigan from California in 2006 and had not run until I purchased it. After removing all fuel, replacing filters, flushing coolant and installing a new battery I was able to start it. After 5 minutes I was thinking about going around the block and it just quit. No noise or indication of a problem. Oil pressure is good, compression cold is 240, 280, 260, 300. Glow plugs are new and glowing. Physical engine timing is correct and I have tried moving IP timing with no luck. When cranking there is plenty of fuel vapor out the exhuast but no start. Is it possible for the IP timing to slip or jump? I haven't removed the IP since the engine quit. I did check it before initially starting the car.

Compression is weak, however, it should still run. Did you prime the IP after you removed all the old fuel? Is there air in the fuel system?

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'99 S420, 155k
'91 VW Vanagon GL, 150k
'85 VW Vanagon GL, 120k
'82 VW Westy, aircooled, 165k

Yes I primed the entire system, cracked all lines ect... I think I wasted a gallon of diesel! I test large diesels and know how much trouble an air bubble can cause.

You might just have a faulty shutoff valve leading to the IP. Maybe try pulling the vacuum line off it and see if it will start then...it's worth a try.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Also adjust the valves. If compression does not come up, then you know the rings are shot.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

I have done so many things I forgot to list all of them. I checked and adjusted the valve lash and I have also removed the vacuum line from the IP. No luck! The part that baffles me is the fact that it started right up with fresh fuel. I literally had the clutch in and in first gear ready to leave the driveway. Thanks for all the support!

Have you cracked open a hard line while cranking to ensure that fuel is coming out of the IP? Maybe the lift pump is dead or something clogged up the filters or lines.

If so I'd pull the GPs again and do a compression test to ensure you still have compression then. It doesn't take all that long to do and will at least satisfy you that you haven't lost compression for some reason.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Thanks for the help. I'll go over everything this weekend again as if I just brought it home. I was going to wait until winter for the overhaul but maybe it will happen sooner!