changed fuel filters and now no starty
 

so i have a 1982 300d
i changed the big fuel filter...and the small white one.
not it wont start...starts for a second and dies...half a tank of diesel
hmmmm

Did you fill up the big fuel filter before you installed it? If not, have you primed it using the primer pump? If you haven't, then you'll probably have to bleed the injector lines-after the big filter is primed.

im a rookie on this car thus far...where would this primer be?

On the side of the diesel injection pump, left (driver's) side of the engine.
Original pumps have a plastic 'mushroom' style knob that needs to be unscrewed before it can be pumped up & down. If yours has been replaced, it will probably have a small, round 'cap' shaped spring-loaded knob. Just press it down against the spring. You may need to pump it 50 times or more to get it bled enough to start.
Note: the old original style pump may start leaking when you try to use it - you'll need to replace it.
Otherwise, with the original style pump, be sure to screw the knob back tight when you're finished.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Its bout 2/3's of the way down the block just to the rear of the injection pump.
If you didnt fill the large filter it will take ~100 pumps on the pump to get it full

Very slightly crack the fuel inlet nut on each cylinder. As fuel starts to seep from #1, tighten it and keep pumping until #5 is done.

The 1st 20 or so pics are representative of what you are looking for.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mercedes+benz+primer+fuel+pump&newwindow=1&safe=off&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=VnmF UsPcLY22kQe73IDYBA&ved=0CHgQsAQ&biw=800&bih=467

I'd just remove the secondary filter, fill it with a burnable oil--ATF, Purge, Diesel, etc-- and reinstall it to avoid all the pumping.

ugh... it seems to overflow when i pump. runs down the side. by secondary you mean small white one correct?

Please elaborate. What do you mean "runs down the side"? What runs down the side of what?

Primary=small in line filter
Secondary==big bolt on filter.

when i unscrew and pump...
a little diesel fuel runs down the collar of the pump.

sorry...its dark out
i did fill the big round secondary.
im using a mann filter is that ok?
we didnt have bosch locally

looks like i have to crack the 17mm

You need a new primer pump. They aren't very costly, and they aren't hard to install. When you get everything air and liquid tight, and you get the filter primed (really, it only takes about 50 strokes and it's a lot less messy than trying to install a full filter), you'll get it going faster if you bleed off the air in the injector lines.

so i wont be able to get this primed any other way.?
there is no way around this til i can get a new pump?
.

that means my car is down for a week. deep sadness. just go it..
should have just left them alone. tho i wanted to strart replacing the little stuff...did all the vacuum connectors and hoses. new radiator and oil cooler..new oil cooler hoses

if i cant get it started to get on ramps..how will i be able to replace the pump
:)

primer pump....ahh i see what it is now...
does anyone know what wrench size it is to get the other on off?

sorry for my ignorance...still learning this beast.
love it tho

Check this link:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/109076-heres-my-payback-diesel-primer-pump-replacement.html

Loads of how to info on this site. Look around.

Pump to prime then pull a condom or balloon down over the primer pump to seal it up and keep air out. You should be able to drive it that way until you get a new pump.