Raising the dead - 300sdl killed by gasoline
 

I have just purchased a '87 300sdl that is not running. According to the PO, it was filled with gasoline, died and then sat for almost year. I have never owned a Mercedes, but have had a several diesels before.

I have taken out the fuel filters and both of them looked and smelled like 100% gas. Which, seems like a good sign that the engine didn't have enough diesel in it to run on and have a higher chance of killing something internally. :o

I have swapped in new fuel filters and disconnectedness the fuel lines, rigging a jug of diesel for it to drink from, bypassing all the old hose behind the clear plastic filter. Also, I have filled the threaded filter with diesel. It has been cranking and acts like it's at least trying to do something. The plan is to cycle the gas out and fill it with diesel by trying to turn it over. Nothing has come out of the return line yet.

Questions:

1. Does it sounds like I am on the right track, anything I missed?

2. I found after a little investigation, that the OP zip-tied one of the rubber hose on top of the cylinders closed. Any ideas on why this would be done?

3. Where do I need to attach it?

[IMG]http://www.flickr.com/photos/86449574@N03/7919293480/[IMG]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86449574@N03/7919289260/

Thanks for the help, just looking to get this thing on the road!

Isolating the fuel source with a jug is a good start.
Loosen the fuel lines at the injectors.
Fully charge the battery.
Crank for about a minute at a time, then rest the starter for a few minutes.
When fuel starts to come out of the lines at the injectors, with no more air bubbles, tighten the lines.

Also check to make sure the glow plugs are working. That model has no primer pump if my memory serves me correctly. It might be worth plumbing in an electric pump or one of those outboard engine rubber squeeze pumps to force diesel to the IP.

It was cranking last night strong, but then stopped. Now when I turn the key to crank all I am getting is a click, sounds like the starter went. How much does it take to burn one of these up? I had it churn for 20-30 secs, wait a minute or two and give it another shot. Did that for 6-8 times maybe. From the looks of it, it could be the original starter... It is getting juice, it'll arc when touched with screwdriver.

I'll loosen the lines some at the injectors to let the air escape, thanks.

Any ideas on the tied off hose?

P.S. The bolt on the threaded fuel filter, does the hole in it need to be facing a specific direction?

Charge your battery before replacing the starter. Theres a lot of compression to overcome cranking, its probably just too dead to crank.

The sip tie is on the fuel return lines. Don't know whey it would be tied shut to prevent fuel getting abck to the IP.

You have viton looking return lines. Might want to check if veggie oil or homebrew Bio was run in it too.

These starters are designed to be used for minutes on end without damage in cold weather. X2 on charging the battery and checking the connections.

The tied off line is supposed to be a dead head plug on the back injector. That was their way of making a plug.

the starters for the 300SDL are NOt the same as the starters for the 300D or 300SD. (603 vs 617) The 603 starters have plastic inside and are gear reduction starters.
Excessive cranking (aka heat buildup) on one of those will burn it up alot quicker than a 617 starter.

I stand corrected. good to know.

IIRC the SDL manual says to crank for a minute and rest for 10.

If you fill the big filter and loosen the injector lines, you'll have the system bled in about 20 seconds of cranking.

Sixto
87 300D

I'd suck the tank dry and put in five gallons of fresh diesel before going any further....also as stated above make sure your glows are working. If it has compression, glows work and fuel it should run.

Also will run on wd forty sprayed in the intake as primer if the glows are working.

Change the fuel in the tank .This is probably a good idea on any long sitting car for sale ,the fuel might have been the reason behind its long sit.

"Honey ,did you fill up the car today ,yes dear ,I bought the high octane at the pump but your engine doesnt seem to like the expensive stuff for some reason."
WHAT!
Yeah ,it just kept clattering like it was falling apart ,I made it home though ,barely ,arent you glad I saved the towing charges.

You are clearly optimistic. Who ever, dumped the Gasoline in ran it until it stopped.
The last Diesel Car I saw with IDI and ran on Gas had the tips of the Injector Nozzle Pintels completely burned off on all of the Injectors.

If this is a Car with an Aluminum Head there could be issues with the Head or the Head Gasket because Gasoline detonates at diesel compressions levels.
　
The previous owner no doubt did some extended cranking on the Starter before He decided to sell. So that could be a factor if you are having a Starter issue.
　

Good chance you are correct, but it never hurts to give it a try.;)

That's a Steve Irwin quote, isn't it? :D

Sixto
87 300D