I unfortunately let my 87 300D (140,000 miles) run out of fuel. 2 batteries later it still will not start.

Hours prior to running out of fuel:
I had changed the filters and did a Diesel Purge treatment. (ran great)

After running out of fuel:
Checked the fuel lines and clamps all secured properly (no air sneaking past)
I re-filled the secondary filter with fuel to avoid long bleed time.
Installed a new lift pump
I cracked open the banjos on the fuel filter ran the starter, fuel pumping out properly.
Cracked open the caps on injector fuel lines ran the starter no fuel flowing out.

So I am thinking that either my injection pump has gone south or there is some restriction in the line from the secondary filter to the injection pump.

Perhaps the restrictor bolt banjo fitting on the side of the FI pump where the fuel enters the pump is clogged.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mark

Sounds like you have done both of the two things that tend to result in no starts because of disruption of th fuel supply: (1) actual work on the fuel system; and (2) run out of fuel. With that in mind, I wouldn't be inclined to think that your IP is bad.

Do you have a battery charger you can put on while you crank? Getting the fuel system primed again will take a lot of cranking, you'll need it.

If I were you, I would add fuel any place I could - refill the filter again. Then with a charged battery and a battery charging on the battery while you are cranking - crank for 30 seconds at a time and then let your starter rest for a couple minutes, then crank for 30 more seconds, etc. It will probably take several attempts.

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

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I do have a charger have not tried that yet and I purchased a 1000 CCA battery to give me enough juice. I was thinking that if I crack open a couple of the fuel injector line caps that may help speed up the process. I cracked open the injector lines at the IP, no fuel came out when cranking.

Thanks for the help.

Mark

Simplify the fuel system to get it primed and running.

Open all the injector nuts at the injector.

Take a bottle of clean fuel (use ATF or purge if you have no diesel on hand), hose that directly to the lift pump, from lift pump to the IP input. Put the return hose back into the bottle.

Crank until fuel comes out the lines, tighten them.

Then start the car again and let it run until steady.

Replace your temporary fuel system with the real one.

__________________
Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D

Thanks Scott. I agree bypassing seems to be a good the way to go to get it going. I even bypassed the fuel heater and cooler to simplify fuel delivery.

I will give it a try and let you know what happens.

Mark

Disconnect the glow relay to save your battery.

Make sure the STOP lever is fully vertical while you're cranking.

Sixto
87 300D

I will, when I get the assistant to crank it over for me I will watch for the vertical stop lever.

Thanks

OK A little update. My 87 300D still will not start but I noticed in my last cranking effort that my brake pedal was hard. So could it be that my vacuum pump might have gone south and if so would that keep the engine from starting?

Thanks
Mark

I dont think that would be the problem. Or I could just be trying to get some free beer.

__________________
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#1995 E320 Touring
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OBK #42

during cranking, the Vacuum pump really doesn't have enough speed to empty the booster, so a hard pedal is normal.

I have another trick for bleeding fuel...
IF you have a shop vac with a good filter, and a clean hose, you can set the hose in the blow position, and take off the return hose, and plug it, then pressurize the fuel tank, and when fuel leaves the opening where the return hose was, you will at least KNOW the fuel lines from the tank are full...
then all you have to do is crank the motor until the injector nuts AT THE INJECTORS are free of air.

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1987 190D 2.5Turbo
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1987 300TD
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Ok so I replaced fuel lines, vacuum lines, I have cracked open the nuts at the injectors, and the nuts at the pump still nothing.
I have blown compressed air back through the fuel lines to the tank all is good.
I have a battery charger attached so I am getting good juice.
The Stop arm on the injection pump goes straight up.
It is cranking and cranking but not even a hint of firing off.

The main issue I see is that I have fuel flowing from the filter banjo bolts when opened but once it leaves the filter and goes to the pump the pump is not producing any fuel.

Any more ideas?
Thanks
Mark

Maybe the delivery valves jammed when they ran out of lubricating fuel.

Sixto
87 300D

Loosen the return line banjo fitting at the fuel filter housing and see if fuel is circulating back to the pump. If so, temporarily pinch the return line to the tank and see if you get fuel to the injectors.

Sixto
87 300D

I had loosened that line and there is fuel returning. I will try pinching the line tomorrow. Thanks

IT'S ALIVE!!!!

After some adjustments to the injection pump, pinching the return line as Sixto suggested and finally purging all the air out it fired right up!

Runs beautifully.

(I think Pinching the return line was the answer)

Thanks again for all your help.

Mark