300D Turbo Help Please
 

I just bought an 83 300D and was driving it home and it just quit on me. I had it towed home. One of the injectors was loose and leaking, I tightened it up and replaced the fuel filters. The small one was nasty. I replaced the worn Fuel Return lines and it still will not start. I checked the air intake...maybe a mouse or something got in there??? No, it is clear all the way to the turbo. I have no idea what the next move is. I was getting up on the interstate and it only got up to 40 and then just loss power...like there was no fuel...and then to idle, then died. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Scott

It sounds like your filters were clogged. Did you fill the spin on filter with diesel before you put it on? And did you use the primer pump until your arm was ready to fall off? You may still have air in the system.

Make sure there is no air in the system. Pump the primer pump, crack open the last return line. Did you replace both filters? The spin on one you need to make sure you prefill with fuel.

The in tank strainer could be plugged also.

The primer pump could be shot and could be an air leak.

These guys are right on. It sounds like your fuel filters plugged, so you changed them. Good so far. Next you have to prime the fuel system. The primer pump works very well for this. That will get the injector pump full of fuel like it's supposed to be. If it still doesn't start after that, there are a couple of possibilities. Primer pumps sometimes go bad and start sucking air, and it's also possible you may have the IP full of fuel, but air in the injection lines. In that case, you crack (loosen slightly) the nuts holding the injector lines to the injectors and then crank the engine over. If fuel comes out at a given line, that one is good. If not, let the starter cool for a while and repeat. Sometimes this takes a while.

Scott, Welcome to the forum and the 300D. Where are you located? Good chance a helpful forum member is near by and would help you sort this out.

I live in Nashville, TN. I am just a bit frustrated and did not sleep much last night. I did not fill the screw on filter with fuel prior to putting it on. That was dumb huh? I will work on the car today starting at the Fuel Tank screen and working my way forward. ...I will keep you guys posted. Thanks for the suggestions. I am on it. Scott

You just bought it and it had a loose injector... sounds like the previous owner..PO.. also had fuel issues.

Id sure suggest the 'in tank' strainer / filter as the source of the issue. Do you have an under the hood filter ? and if so, is the fuel in there clear ?

If no to both... here is a very precise thread on how to clean the tank, strainer and fuel lines. Its more grunt work than hard and is where I would first be heading.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/273491-pictorial-fuel-tank-removal-reinstall.html

http://dieselgiant.com/Mercedesfueltankremoval.htm

To make sure you have your injector leak fixed, I would run a supply and return line into a jar under the hood first, after filling the secondary filter w/diesel. That way you can run the engine without be connected to the tank.

I have ordered a new tank screen and fuel lines for the back of the car, and a new primer pump, as it leaks horribly when it is used. That may be where I am getting air into the system I am going to take the fuel tank out of the car and clean it, put it back in. That way I know that it has been done and is good to go. The parts will be in on Wednesday and I will keep everyone posted to the progress. Thanks so much of all of the help so far. You have all been great. Scott

Did you also buy a new O-ring for the Tank Screen (I do not know if a new one comes with the O-ring).
While the Tank Screen is out you can grind off the Collar that crimps on the Fuel Outlet hose (unless it looks new).
After that yank off the Old hose and replace it with some hose from the Autoparts store and a hose clamp.
Hose SAE 30R7 on the hose; is commonly sold at regular auto parts stores and is rated for Diesel Fuel.
Fuel Delivery links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diy-links-parts-category/142399-diesel-fuel-delivery.html

Ounce are gets between the Fuel Injection Pump and the Injectors you might easily kill your Battery trying to get the Air out. The slution is after you have primed your Fuel Supply System; lossen the Fuel Injection Line Nuts at the Injectors and crank your Engine until Fuel comes out. This allows a way for the Air to Escape. (You might need to do the same thing if you run completely out of Fuel on the Road some where; keep a 17mm wrench in the Trunk.)

1st stop now needs to be at a high pressure wash place or a truck stop steam cleaner.
You will find there are decades of experience here and folks are very willing to help. In my time on line its one of the best and most responsive forums I have encountered.

I made sure I am getting the O ring for the Tank screen. I just need to found out where to buy the Citrus Degreaser for the inside of the tank. Scott

Home depot.
Walmart.
Target.
Lowes.

Best of luck. Let us know how this works out.

Music City Buddy
 

I live in Nashville and own a 84 300D. I believe that the previous posts are right on track to finding your problem, but everyone has failed to remember another part that should be changed while the in tank screen is changed. The rubber fuel line that connects the tank outlet to the metal line should also be changed while you have everything out. Believe me, this is the easiest time to change this part without having to get covered in fuel or drain the tank again. I have been through the same problems you are having since my Benz sat up for four years before I brought it back to life. Diesel Giant just posted a pictorial on removing the tank and cleaning it, which may be of some assistance. Just hope that your tank is in better shape than mine was when I pulled it. Several small pin holes had developed from the years of sitting and rusting, but luckily i was able to braze them up without having to get a new tank. So far so good and that was three years ago. I would definitely go ahead and replace all of the rubber lines on the car since you are going to have bleed the system again anyway most likely. This is relatively cheap and should be done anyway so that you have knowledge as to when it was done last. Fairly easy job and I defintely suggest cleaning out the metal lines under the car from both directions with compressed air. Oh yeah, if you cant get the strainer loose from the bottom of the tank, let me know and I will try to get you the socket that fits it if you cant locate one. Mine was loose enough that you could have easily gotten it loose with a set of channel locks though. Good luck! PM me if you need any help, im kinda busy and rarely find time to work on my car, but I'm more than willing to offer help however I can!

Glidehm

Sorry
 

I just realized Diesel 911 suggested replacing the fuel outlet line coming off the strainer! Dont want to start WW III!;)