240d dies @ idle
 

Silly question have you actually checked to make sure you gps are getting power? Just because they are less than a year old does not mean they cannot die.

not silly at all....

no, actually...I haven't. I do remember checking the strip fuse in an act of frustration....but I didn't specifically check the voltage. I mean, my glow plug light is working fine and like I mentioned - I replaced the plugs this past winter (with bosch not autolite or whatever those crappy ones are).

would bad plugs kill it at idle though?

thanks for reading my wordy mcword post too....I almost hate myself for typing all that out.

You also posted all the troubleshooting you've already done and used punctuation, capitalization, and proper spelling. I think I like you already:D

Ideas:

Crud in fuel system reducing but not eliminating fuel flow. Solution: Diesel Purge.

Sucking air. This would have to be happening in the small portion of the lines that were still in use when you bypassed the fuel tank. This can be checked by adding pressure to the fuel lines and looking for a leak, but it's pretty easy to just go ahead and replace the rubber lines. If they are original it's probably a good idea.

Flaw in the vacuum system introducing vacuum to the shutoff valve when it's not supposed to. I've only heard of it happening once, but it is possible. Remove and plug the line to the shutoff and see if symptoms continue.

Quote:

oh and I hate Swamp Yankee.

I'm just not going to touch that one.

To be honest with you I don't know but you have checked literally everything I can think of so was throwing out my best wild guess. Or have you checked your linkage to make sure it is not twisted or in need of adjustment?

I really think this is my best bet at this point...just replace them all. It's not like I'm throwing tons of money at the problem and I probably have 20' of that 5/16" hose coiled up in my trunk.

good suggestion...I forgot to mention that one. I pulled the line off the fuel shutoff valve and tried to start....no go. I can't remember if I plugged the line though...or just pulled it off?


haha....all great suggestions, thanks Skippy....and you even take the high road on fellow member bashing?:D

I can understand you wanting to push it off a cliff.
Appears to me to be a fuel delivery problem.
Sounds like you've done quite a bit already, yet pull the injectors and have them tested.
While they're out do a compression test.
I'm pulling at straws too.
Good luck.

thanks toomany....and yes, the ominous cliff is looming.

I know - I wish I would have taken the injectors to get the spray pattern tested when I had them out....but I was in a rush to get this thing started and I didn't think they looked too bad at the time.

along the bad injector idea.....after I burn up that initial small shot of WD40 in the intake and then idle for 5-10 minutes...isn't (diesel) fuel flowing thru the injectors okay then? I would think if the pattern was bad or if clogged....it would die immediately after the WD40 burns up.

(I'm not saying that to question your suggestion.....I really don't know). This is the first time I've had to resort to the WD40 in the intake method...but from what I've read, other people have had to continually spray to keep the thing running?

Perhaps you should change your oil, 240 Joe? :D The two of you have a similar verbose style. Wild guess, though I don't remember swamp yankee battling it out.

You do realize that maintaining multiple accounts is a no-no, right?

haha...you've just offended me on the deepest of levels. seriously - why don't you just call me mattsd300 or skid row joe too? Or Rich C?:D


and yes - I pm'd Brian C and he's deactivated my old account.


Do you have any advice for me or are you still too busy chasing that waitress around?

:D

I think you already have good advice to roll on; I was just taking a wild stab at a guess and didn't mean to offend. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

I would think too, but maybe once warm and running it'll catch for a while.

Well since it stalls out at low idle hot I would forget about the glow plugs totally for now. They have no bearing on that problem. The apparently hard to start may also be just inadaquate fuel. You have tried to start the engine without wd 40 with the pedal pressed down a little?

Since it is a 240 d the fuel amount available at idle and starting is adjustable on the dash. I assume you know this?You also loosened up a lot of junk by the introduction of bio fuel awhile ago perhaps? Some of this junk may have even made it through the filters. Or has built up in the lift pump even.

If so at idle type speeds the lift pump may be outputting next to nothing pressure wise. Disconnect the output and crank the engine. Does fuel flow well? Read in the archives how much you should see in a certain amount of time.

Yeah - I've tried starting w/o wd40. Occasionally it will fire...but only after reeeeally long cranks. Oh and I forget to mention that the valves were adjusted about 3000 miles ago too.

another great suggestion (checking the lift pump) - I remember reading Brian C/Kerry suggesting the same thing.....something like 2-3 oz of fuel in 15 seconds of cranking.

I'll try that tonight....thanks.

I think this is my plan of attack.

1. test lift pump
2. run diesel purge (I'll guess I must start with wd40 though)
3. replace all fuel lines (again)

does anybody have a linky to those clear plastic fuel lines? I know fastlane doesn't carry them and I vaguely recall member 'Tangofox' linking me to another site eons ago. If not, I'll just cut the nylon at the end of the hose barb and put 5/16" rubber over it but I'd really like to see thru for bubblelicious viewing purposes.

the clear plastic lines are dealer item only. as you say, rubber will work.

now if you want to keep it Concourse condition........ ya gotta pay ;)

Charlie