Just bought 81 300SD Help needed Please

[soothappens]

First I would like to thank everyone for helping me on the 240D. Its running so good the wife wanted one !! With my guidance based entirely on what I have learned from this forum she purchased her first Mercedes. THANKS !

She bought an 81 300SD 214,000 miles. Meticulous log book on fuel mileage since 03 averaged 22 mpg continuously . Oil change Door stickers stacked 1/8 inch thick 3000 mile intervals. Tire rotation sticker on the windshield with brand new Khumos. It had it all including a new power steering pump starter and battery.

Now for the bad this is where the help is needed. The car will not start . When I went to check on it everything related to fuel is leaking. The old couple who owned it parked it in 07. The guy I bought it from got it running drove it home drove the family around that day then shut it off for the night and could never get it to restart. The engine turned over but wouldnt fire. Until last night.

I checked the primer there was no resistance. Kept this up until she pressurized. the glow light came on went off cranked an it fired. Oil pressure went up to 3 she stumbled shook then started . No pedal no power but it started getting better smoothed out right above idle. The guy is amazed by this time. Then we tried again you hear a clunking screeching noise (internal not the belts) coming from around the injection pump area. Try it several more times sometimes smooth other times that noise comes back it never stayed running.

I plan on fixing the fuel leaks replacing the primer pump adjusting the valves . Before trying to start it I was looking for some opinions on what to possibly check for the noise. I would hate to get in a hurry and destroy something if it can be avoided.

Any help is more than appreciated. Thanks in advance !!

[Graplr]

I know the lift pump on these things rarely go out but the lift pump is in the IP area and could cause it to loose prime and not run. If it were me I would first fix the fuel leaks and then see if the screeching persists. It could just be something sticking from sitting for 2-3 years and will loosen up. How is the oil level?

[soothappens]

Originally Posted by Graplr

I know the lift pump on these things rarely go out but the lift pump is in the IP area and could cause it to loose prime and not run. If it were me I would first fix the fuel leaks and then see if the screeching persists. It could just be something sticking from sitting for 2-3 years and will loosen up. How is the oil level?

The oil level was good no sign of water on the dip stick. It didnt seem as black as the 240D.

I fixed all the leaks replaced filters and swapped primer with one that wasnt leaking. valves were a little tight not bad I adjusted them 2 exhaust valves were still good. Pulled the vacuum pump it has the old style with the open bearing but looked new . It still had the cages and spun smooth. I also pumped it on the bench no odd noises.

Reassembled the motor and tried to start it. As soon as the glow light went out it fired but only stayed running with the starter engaged. I did get it to stay running for less than a minute but you would hear the screeching noise and the engine would die. I removed all accessory belts but when I try to start it the screeching still remains . The engine turns over hard when the noise is present. I'm guessing internal now.

While doing the valves I noticed everything inside is brand new. Springs adjustment nuts cam tower and cam. You can even see the machine marks in the cam lobes. New chain new guides even the freeze plugs. It looks as if it had a long block put in it not to long ago. No record of it though

The screeching is making me wonder if its not a rod or main. Maybe the oil pump? If it was would anything show up in the oil filter? anyone have any ideas on this ?

Tomorrow I'm going to try an electric fuel pump to rule out the mechanical one but I think the screeching is the key to my problems.

Thanks for the help

[Diesel911]

While the Valve Cover is off you might align the Camshaft Timing marks and see what the Camshaft Timing is. On a 617.952 it is set at Zero Degrees on the Crank Damper (Zero represents Top Dead Center).

[soothappens]

Originally Posted by Diesel911

While the Valve Cover is off you might align the Camshaft Timing marks and see what the Camshaft Timing is. On a 617.952 it is set at Zero Degrees on the Crank Damper (Zero represents Top Dead Center).

I installed the valve cover then thought about that.

I dont have any books on this one yet so I do appreciate all the info . It sure has more bells and whistles than the 616.

Thanks

[soothappens]

went out this morning to check the oil filter . I found one ear broken off on the filter housing and the bolt was replaced with a carriage style one . Oil was seeping out when cranking.

Now the question is was it run without oil and if so wouldnt the screeching noise I hear be constant ?

It would be a shame if this was the case. Everything is showing a recent long block install .

Is there any simple way to find out ? Oil pressure stays pegged on three when engine is cranking fast.

[vstech]

recent long block install? hmmm. it's possible the oil filter was the reason for the demise of the original block, and they reused the broken but fixed up oil filter canister on the new long block... also, screeching could be galled cam towers, due to low oil, and a long block would not have changed that... gonna need more info to determine this one. but it does not sound good so far.

[soothappens]

Originally Posted by vstech

recent long block install? hmmm. it's possible the oil filter was the reason for the demise of the original block, and they reused the broken but fixed up oil filter canister on the new long block... also, screeching could be galled cam towers, due to low oil, and a long block would not have changed that... gonna need more info to determine this one. but it does not sound good so far.

Thats the scenario I hope happened with the oil filter. When I say long block I mean the block and the head. Everything contained in the two is new. Valves ,springs, adjusters, cam ,cam towers , chain and guides. On the block theres new freeze plugs and the gold hex plugs in the head. The whole assembly is painted gloss black with numbers stamped on it. the only place that shows rust is where they scraped it to install the old accessory's .

Today I removed the fan and the shroud and all the belts . I used a regular 1/2 inch ratchet and turned the engine over freely. No binding or noise.
It gets harder on the compression stroke you hear the injectors pop then smoothly comes around.

I go to start it and it fires and runs while the starter is engaged then dies. I heard a real faint screech every once in a while then she started going faster and the screeching increased. While all this was happening the oil guage was pegged at three. When the screech got loud the engine stopped.

After it stalled I used the ratchet to turn it and it turned smooth with no binding. I found if I try with the starter after it dies it cranks real hard.

I'm completely at a loss for what this can be. Any feedback would be appreciated

Thanks

[MS Fowler]

Sounds like a good purchase.....if you can solve the screeching.
Keep posting back, as you have been doing. Something will eventually trigger someone's memory.
Right now I am stumped.

[soothappens]

Well I went back outside last night to remove the battery charger and clean up the tools. I couldn't resist so I cranked engine by hand several more times each time getting smoother.

I tried starting it one last time before going in. It cranked fired and stayed running with starter. No noise!!

Maybe a combo of stuck piston rings and surface rust on the cylinder walls ?

Could it be she just wanted to be woken up slowly from this deep sleep and not grabbed by the ankle and pulled off the bed ??


Thanks MS Fowler I was getting discouraged. Please keep the suggestions coming.

[jkubica]

[QUOTE=soothappens;2416904]Well I went back outside last night to remove the battery charger and clean up the tools. I couldn't resist so I cranked engine by hand several more times each time getting smoother.

I tried starting it one last time before going in. It cranked fired and stayed running with starter. No noise!!

Maybe a combo of stuck piston rings and surface rust on the cylinder walls ?

Could it be she just wanted to be woken up slowly from this deep sleep and not grabbed by the ankle and pulled off the bed ??


Thanks MS Fowler I was getting discouraged. Please keep the suggestions

Hi
I haven't read the entire thread - but have you ruled out the starter staying engaged with the flywheel gear?
Joseph

[vstech]

yeah, I'm thinking the starter itself is causing the screeching.
but get that oil filter housing fixed asap!

[soothappens]

I haven't read the entire thread - but have you ruled out the starter staying engaged with the flywheel gear?
Joseph

yeah, I'm thinking the starter itself is causing the screeching.
but get that oil filter housing fixed asap!

Went to the diesel shop today and threw this problem at my buddy he said starter.

Third times a charm! ( I hope )

It makes sense !! It only does it with the starter cranking . stops short when screeching starts. Dosent want to crank afterwards but will turn by hand.

Either the Bendix is staying engaged or the bushings/armature are binding. Its worth a shot!!!

Now I get to see what fun you guys have when pulling them.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. My mind is at ease for the first time since I bought it. I will post results on starter findings.

[MS Fowler]

Now that you all mention it, the starter makes sense.

[tr1cky]

R&R of the starter in a 300 SD isn't bad if you do it from below. If I remember correctly, it was easier with extensions and if you drop the transmission brace. It has been a few months though since I've been under there.

I found that as long as that support bracket is bolted up first when installing the new starter that job is much easier. Be careful not to cross thread the bolts when reinstalling.

Originally Posted by soothappens

Went to the diesel shop today and threw this problem at my buddy he said starter.

Third times a charm! ( I hope )

It makes sense !! It only does it with the starter cranking . stops short when screeching starts. Dosent want to crank afterwards but will turn by hand.

Either the Bendix is staying engaged or the bushings/armature are binding. Its worth a shot!!!

Now I get to see what fun you guys have when pulling them.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. My mind is at ease for the first time since I bought it. I will post results on starter findings.