let me start by saying that yes i have searched out this topic. i've read threads back to 2004 on hard starting 300Ds. i've been self diagnosing for months now based on what i've read and it's still an being an issue.
the issue: my '83 300D has a bit of a rough time starting. it kind of coughs or stumbles each time it's started after sitting for a long time (overnight) no matter how warm or cold the weather. it'll stumble and cough out gray/white smoke each morning and will idle roughly for about 5 to 10 seconds. if i give it a little fuel, maybe bring the engine up 100 or 200 rpms, it smooths right out. i'll usually feather the accelerator and hold it until things feel better and then it idles just fine. i feel like if i didn't give it a little diesel it might actually die out on me but i haven't let it yet. and boy does the engine shake when this coughing happens. i think i actually have to replace my motor mounts because of this issue wearing them out. the car runs and drives perfectly and will start without issue when warmed up.
the things i've done: all filters are changed at oil changing time, oil filter and both fuel filters new every three months. air filter is new last month. diesel purge done about 3 months ago. valve adjustment done about 3 months ago. all rubber fuel lines replaced under the car and under the hood. injector return lines replaced. all five glow plugs replaced with five new bosch glow plugs (and i glow them twice to start by force of cold winter habit). change over valve line from banjo bolt to ALDA new from dealership.
issues with the car: there is a small coolant leak (
RTV on Cooling System Hoses? Leak Won't Stop....). i have the old style primer pump which may be leaking. it's always kind of wet around that area but it primes just fine. the new fuel line from the tank to the primary fuel filter (the one that kind of loops like a candy cane) seems a bit too long and thin and i think might be kinking where it bends. but the car runs fine without any fuel starving when driving it. there is a small vacuum leak somewhere. if the car sits for a bit the door locks won't open when the drivers door is unlocked. and the heater vents/floor vents have vacuum related issues too. those are the only things wrong that may have anything to do with starting or engine happiness.
this has been going on for months and i've been diagnosing and replacing without anything getting better. it was definitely worse in the winter but that was before i replaced the glow plugs so maybe it'll be better this winter but still a problem. i use 5W-40 synthetic oil and regular diesel at the pump. previous owner put some biodiesel through it but it hasn't seen any of that since last summer. in the winter i added stanadyne.
that's all i can think of.....what do you think?
07-21-2009, 10:25 AM
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