1995 E300D OM606 Won't start - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GreenDiesel · #1 05-10-2013, 01:30 AM

For a couple weeks I've been having to crank a little bit and apply the accelerator to get my 1995 E300D to start. There would be times where going from a stop it would be a little sluggish as well.

It got progressively worse until one day it stalled out at a stop light. I was able to crank it right back up. Well the next day it stalled out and I couldn't get it going again. I had just under a 1/4 tank of diesel at this point. I had to get it towed back to my house.

Thinking maybe it was a clogged tank strainer or bad fuel I went and bought 5 gallons of diesel and some Power Service Clear-Diesel to try and deal with any contaminants or water. Gave it a day or so, my battery was dead at this point, jumped it and tried to get it going again. It will crank but not turn over.

I had changed the main filter about a month ago and didn't suspect that it would be clogged. I pulled the pre-filter and didn't see any build-up. Cleaned it out and made sure it was topped off with diesel. Still won't get going.

There are no air bubbles I can see in the lines, but I do have all new fuel lines, pre-filter, main filter, and Liqui-Moly. The symptoms seem to indicate a clogged fuel strainer but I would think that would go away with 7+ gallons of fuel.

I'm trying to figure out where to go from here. I considered siphoning the tank and replacing the tank strainer but with the 7+ gallons I would think it would still be able to start up.

Also haven't seen any problems with the glow plugs but do have a ground issue somewhere because my headlights are dimmer than they should be.

Any recommendations?

benedict · #2 05-10-2013, 08:44 AM

Try to set up a temporary fuel source. Easiest place would be disconnecting the fuel hose from the hard supply line coming from the tank, (which is on the right hand side if standing in front of engine bay) and jerry plumbing a bottle/tank of diesel somehow. You will need to remove the windscreen washer bottle to gain access from above - That will eliminate fuel tank, screen or a water/bacteria contamination problem.

Check that the o'rings for the new fuel lines are all there. I don't think new fuel lines come with o'rings.

With regards to your dim headlights, it is probably better to get the car started and running again so that you can check voltages once the charging system is operational.

Zulfiqar · #3 05-10-2013, 09:07 AM

if that strainer is clogged, you can fill her up with all 24 gallons and she wont sputter. To test, feed the engine from a cubie of diesel in the engine room - if the engine starts easy - you just found your problem. I also would suggest to find a hand bleeder bulb to push the fuel through the pump to ensure no air is in the pump.

You said you removed the prefilter and saw no contaimnants, when did you change the secondary (big) fuel filter, and in my experience if you disturb these things when cold - you are in for a miserable time unless you have a portable jumpstarter with you. I always service them when the engine is hot - and keep the engine above 2000 rpm immediately after start.

connerm · #4 05-10-2013, 09:23 AM

"if that strainer is clogged, you can fill her up with all 24 gallons and she wont sputter"

Correctamundo!

You should know the condition of your tank strainer and anti-slosh bowl anyway. Pump out the fuel in there with a $5 pump from Harbor Freight, remove the fittings below, unbolt it from the trunk and take it out and inspect it for yourself. It will be clogged with slime and rust. Guaranteed. Clean it, replace the big o-ring, clean out the anti-slosh bowl, clean out the tank with a little bit of fresh fuel or carb cleaner and reinstall.

I've had a brand new tank and tank strainer clog within three years even though I religiously used Startron anti-fungal juice AND Stanadyne with EVERY tank.

Also, when installing a new secondary filter, fill it all the way full with diesel purge or clean fuel. This will reduce the amount of air you have to purge from the system saving your starter and battery.

Zulfiqar · #5 05-10-2013, 09:55 AM

That sloshbowl does get quite clogged. I beleive that removing the diesel fuel tank once in every 2 years for a good cleanup is vital in the US. the amount of "stuff" diesel fuel has is umm lets say - alarming.

Good that MB actually invested in an intank strainer. I cannot imagine how hard it would be trying to unclog the fuel lines under the car.

hd wood · #6 05-10-2013, 12:05 PM

Check the top of your secondary fuel filter. Is there any moisture (fuel) showing around the bolt. If so, there is a small o ring underneath that value which can be replaced (contrary to what MB tell you). Just drive out a tiny spring pin and replace with a paper clip later. I used a Harbour Freight seal which has been working fine for several months. MB wanted $200 for the entire valve. Anything else: stormwindalpacas.com dave

Chris W. · #7 05-10-2013, 01:29 PM

If you are confident of the condition of all plastic line O rings, and pre and main fuel filter O rings, and strainer, I vote for the lift pump. Small little devil, fairly simple, not difficult to replace, and a new one solved a whole host of starting and stalling problems for me. Not too expensive. IMHO unless you are really cheap don't try to rebuild it, just get a new one.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 393K

GreenDiesel · #8 05-10-2013, 04:43 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I have all new lines and filters on hand but have not installed them so the issue isn't related to new parts. I took the prefilter out a week prior to it stalling out and cleaned it a bit, o-ring was fine and it isn't leaking.

I'll try isolating the issue by directly feeding from a bottle of diesel rather than the tank to see if I'm able to get it going. If that fails I'll look into the life pump (thanks Chris, hadn't thought of that). Hopefully I can get it up and running again soon. I'm heading to my MB dealer to pick up a strainer just in case.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll check back in when I know more.

fdanielson · #9 05-10-2013, 05:00 PM

If it still has problems with the fuel tank bypassed you may have a plugged catalytic converter. Try removing the small pipe that connects the EGR to the intake manifold and then opening the EGR valve with a mityvac and see if that helps.

Zulfiqar · #10 05-10-2013, 08:53 PM

I have experienced a 100% blocked cat on this car/engine - the engine will start but shake like an earthquake and then shut down if revved, the shut down happens due to the crankcase pressure. A person who has taken apart these pumps can explain better - it has some sort of safety cut for this.

But the engine should start.

Jonsirr · #11 10-01-2013, 05:33 PM

I bypassed the filters with an under hood container of fuel and the car still won't start. I have fuel line from a jug going right into the injection pump, and it doesn't suck a drop of fuel. This was a sudden failure.

Any advice for further IP diagnoses?

Jon

vstech · #12 10-01-2013, 10:08 PM

sounds like you have a bad lift pump, or a clogged fuel filter.
I'd pull BOTH filters, and replace them. then I'd get a $50 diesel fuel lift pump from the auto parts store, and put it on the alt fuel source and see if it starts up.
if it does, pull the lift pump out of the circuit, and try again, if it still starts, you had clogged filters. if it no longer starts, you have a bad lift pump. replace, then return the parts store lift pump.

Jonsirr · #13 10-02-2013, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

sounds like you have a bad lift pump, or a clogged fuel filter.
I'd pull BOTH filters, and replace them. then I'd get a $50 diesel fuel lift pump from the auto parts store, and put it on the alt fuel source and see if it starts up.
if it does, pull the lift pump out of the circuit, and try again, if it still starts, you had clogged filters. if it no longer starts, you have a bad lift pump. replace, then return the parts store lift pump.

The fuel filters cannot be clogged as all three are brand new. Forgive my ignorance, but where is the lift pump located? I see where the fuel line enters the filtration system, but not a pump.

Thanks for the help.

benedict · #14 10-03-2013, 08:31 AM

I found a picture of a pump similar to your one on the internet.

It shows the lift pump which is the thing at the lower front of the attached image. The thing which has only one red plastic cap on it.

Hoping for you that the lift pump is the culprit. I see you now have a direct diesel feed into the lift pump so you have ruled out blocked filters. It really can't be much more.

Jonsirr · #15 10-07-2013, 01:59 PM

I was testing everything incorrectly. My lift pump is sucking fuel from one bottle and pumping it back into another bottle. The flow doesn't seem to be what I had anticipated, but these pumps apparently don't displace a ton of fuel.

This seems to rule out my lift pump.

I have had a fuel odor under the hood since I've owned the car. The o-rings on all of the fuel lines look flat and worn out, but not leaky....

I'm going to replace all of the o-rings for now. Any additional insight would be appreciated.

Jon