now I have a chance to prove you guys can teach a monkey to start a 240.

Here's the plan for this week.

The story on this creature is that it ran then it just wouldn't start one day. There was no report of it running poorly but the origin of the stories is suspect to deceit. Like all used car sellers are honest.

It has come to me that the miracle oil and seafoam baths have freed the rings enough to get the engine to run on short blast of WD40. I'm assuming the compression and timing are likely pretty good. "?"

1. Check glow plugs' wire end for power and listen to the relay for click on and off after a reasonable time. Won't this tell me if the GP relay is working?

2. Pull glow plugs and glow them with a 12V battery. To see if they really get hot.

3. Clean fuel in gallon jug with hose to lift pump. Won't this tell me if the lines, tank or primer pump are causing the problem?

If that don't start it

2. Pull hose off fuel filter coming from lift pump. Won't this tell me if the lift pump is working?

3. Break the line at the injectors and see if fuel is getting through the IP.

You guys know I'm a rookie with these machines so any involvement here is appreciated.

Pretty good list there, The first thing to check as you mentioned will be the glow plugs as your stating issue most likely lies with them. As you have a 1980 model I believe you will still have the older loop style plug. You cannot test these by applying 12V directly to them. They are wired in series so if one of them dies those after it will not function. I believe the relay in your model is under the drivers side kick panel. If you plan on keeping the car for a while I highly recommend upgrading to the newer pencil style plugs, as these are wired in parallel and there fore much more reliable as a system. Also they heat up faster and glow hotter.
Also as maintenance history is not available you should change the two fuel filters as a baseline, as well as the oil filter, and air filter. A valve adjustment is most likely also in order.

Simplest way to check loop style series plugs is to turn the key to the glow position and see if the heavy squiggly wires between the plugs get hot. They'll glow red if it's dark outside and will burn the skin off your fingers if you touch them. If they get hot, your plugs are most likely working. I'm guessing they won't get hot. If it's just one bad series plug, you can jumper around it and start it with three plugs. Check for voltage to the plugs if the wires don't get hot. There's a strip fuse on the firewall where the wire leads to the first glow plug.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If you intend to run it for long on the gallon jug, route your fuel return line back to the jug, otherwise your new fuel will get pumped back to the tank.

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Steve A
92 W140 OM603
97 VW Jetta TDI
90 Passat variant TDI 6 speed MT
94 Chevy K1500 6.5TD
05 E320 CDI
+ others

1980 240D is the first year with the pencil glow plugs. the GP relay is on the L/F fender along with the strip fuse.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

actually, some 79's had the pencils, and some 80's had the loops... kinda hard to know for sure... also motors are getting swapped all the time, so best to verify what you have.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Right now I'm just searching for a good systematic game
plan.

Make sure your battery is fully charged. D's take more cranking power than a gas motor.

External fuel supply is a good idea. Do make sure your return line is attached to your external supply.

The manual fuel pump is low on the block, drivers side, and you unscrew it to make it useable. Pump until you get fuel coming out of the return line.

Screw the pump back down before you start the motor. 17mm open end will allow you to confirm no air is at the injector by just cracking it and getting fuel drip.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

You can look at the glow plugs and tell what kind you have.

The series plugs have connections directly from one plug to another. Should be a twisty flat looking piece of thin metal between them. On the series type, if any one glow plug goes out - it's like a fuse - the others will not work either.

The new type have a separate wire for each glow plug coming from the controller. On the new type, a single glow plug can go bad and the others should keep working.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

Check the valves, after my new 300D wouldn't start with wd40. I took others advice, checked valve clearance and all were tight, loosened them up and she popped right off. Also replace your primer pump.

Mercedes Diesel Valve Adjustment Procedure

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As to those instructions, don't use either the cam nut or the power steering nut. Use the crank bolt, a 27 mm, or 1 1/16 socket. I use a momentary starter switch connected as shown.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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83 SD

84 CD

If you see white smoke coming from the exhaust while cranking the engine, you are getting fuel but lacking either heat or compression.

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

Some ideas:
If it will start with a short blast of WD40, it stands to reason that you're not getting good fuel delivery.

Check the filters.
Are you getting fuel pressure out of the lift pump?
Are you getting fuel TO the IP?
Are you getting drip from the hard lines?

Good glow plug operation is important but, from your description of the symptoms, don't seem to be the primary cause of it not starting.

__________________
Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

THE first thing to do

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Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

So... Did you get this running yet? Inquiring minds want to know!

And... PICTURES, please!

PE

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!