Replaced Shut-off valve: START, SPARK and SMOKE*&^$%!?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Beatrice's_Boy · #1 10-24-2010, 04:06 PM

last night i replaced my shut off valve on my 79 300d. the bottom bolt closest to the engine was a booger to get off and on.

before i started the car i opened the top of something which let me view the shut-off valves arm and its relation to the internal lever mechanism it pulls against to produce the shut-off. i vacuumed on the valve and watched as it did its job.

now i wanted to start the car up and give it a test using the hand held vacuum pump. but when i tried to start her up this is what happened:

first i let the plugs warm and and tryed to crank it over. it cranked but didnt turn over, so i thought some more glow plug time would help. it then cranked over but immediately died and there was some smoke. i put my brother in the vehicle so i could watch. he was warming the plugs about turn it over and i could here a little spark and some smoke coming from the area near the shut off valve, around the glow plug wire i think.

when i put the shut off valve on i removed a hose that leaked a little coolant on to the engine. and when i tightened the hose with the metal tightener i might have left the head of the fastener too close to the glow plug wire?? would that cause spark and a little smoke to come from that area. could that be my problem?? any thoughts would be awesome.

vstech · #2 10-24-2010, 04:20 PM

does your 79 have large body (1" or so) glow plugs, or the small body 12mm plugs? if the large, then there are large squiggly resistors between each plug, and they will spark if debris is present, and they will smoke if oil or fuel is present, as they get very hot while you are glowing.

Stevo · #3 10-24-2010, 04:26 PM

could you describe the "something' you removed for a better view?

Beatrice's_Boy · #4 10-24-2010, 05:03 PM

ALDA top cover plate to the injection pump... i followed this DIY...

http://www.dieselgiant.com/repairyourshutoffvalve.htm

Beatrice's_Boy · #5 10-24-2010, 05:05 PM

yes, there is that squiggly wire between the plugs--i think thats what is smoking. how should i proceed? would it be the anti freeze coolant that has upset this coil thing? should i air spray that area or try and clean it?

kerry · #6 10-24-2010, 05:16 PM

Make sure nothing is grounding the squiggly wire and proceed as normal. Squiggly wire should get very hot when plugs are glowing. Visibly red in semi-darkness.
There is no ALDA on your engine.

Beatrice's_Boy · #7 10-24-2010, 05:21 PM

it is a cover plate that i rotate 90 degrees.

*proceed as normal despite the smoking/sparking plug?

vstech · #8 10-24-2010, 05:41 PM

correct, normal, and it's only doing the sparky smokey thing during glow cycle. you could spray some degreaser, and clean them off really well if you don't wanna see the smoke.
but it'll get dirty again.
if there is actually a SPARK, then you may have a loose connection that is sparking. check all thumb screws. (after they cool) and see if any are loose, check the lead that goes to the fuse on the firewall too.

Stevo · #9 10-24-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatrice's_Boy

ALDA top cover plate to the injection pump... i followed this DIY...

http://www.dieselgiant.com/repairyourshutoffvalve.htm

Thanks, i wasn't aware you could peek in the top

Beatrice's_Boy · #10 10-25-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

correct, normal, and it's only doing the sparky smokey thing during glow cycle. you could spray some degreaser, and clean them off really well if you don't wanna see the smoke.
but it'll get dirty again.
if there is actually a SPARK, then you may have a loose connection that is sparking. check all thumb screws. (after they cool) and see if any are loose, check the lead that goes to the fuse on the firewall too.

thanks, i degreased the area. . . planning trying again today after work. please stay tuned