1987 300td wont start
 

I got a 300TD wagon hasn't ran in 5 years the OM603.016.14etc head is good no rust. It truns over but wont start what could it be any ideas it sounds like its starveing for fuel but not shur.

I'd start with known fuel quality, connect the fuel hoses to a clean diesel container.
then verify the shutoff valve is operating correctly, then verify the glow plugs are working properly, then crack the injector nuts and verify fuel is reaching each injector.

X2 on what VsTech says. also I'll add, looking at the fuel thermostat. bypass it temporarily to get it going. It's a common place to suck air. Post pictures!

"Hasnt run in 5 years..." What have you done so far?

Thank you all for helping me and I haven't done much with it yet other then trying to start it and trying to think what it might be. I bought it the other day and I'll have pic up some time thhis week hopefully.

Before spending a dime or too much effort do a compression check.

You started by changing both fuel filters, Correct?
Then you verified that the glow plugs were working, right?

Your car needs 3 things to start, well 2 if you are towing starting it, but I'll assume that is not the case.

Air, has some critter made a nest in the air filter?
fuel, pull a line and verify that fuel is flowing from the IP to the injectors.
Glow pugs, verify that they are working.

Can you turn the engine over by hand?

okay new issue its start for about 5 to 10 secs and dies out as soon as i get of the ignition switch lines are prime new fuel its really trying hard to start and i got exhust comeing out of the airfilter and smoke

you shouldnt be getting exhaust out the air box. thats a new one. until you get the injection lines purged it'll run like hell. your best bet is loosen the nut on the injector and purge it that way. do this in small intervals you'll need a battery charger as you'll prolly kill the battery a couple times cranking all that time.. if can get pictures/video of the engine bay. something might be amiss there.

... exhaust? Hmm.
perhaps the egr is stuck open.
also backpressure from a plugged cat will force exhaust out the intake.
as would a broken intake valve...

you could be misreading blowby as exhaust... it's smokey if the rings are stuck.
take the crankcase vent tube off the valve cover see if the smoke is emanating from there...

I'll get some pictures up I have took some just haven't had time to up load and ill make a video to

How do you know the 14 head is good?

Also, it's hard to tell from pictures or video that there's fuel to the injectors. Loosen the injector lines, crank for 10 seconds, report whether the fittings are wet or dry.

Sixto
87 300D