Rough Cold Start Up
 

1982 300 SD 220k miles new injectors new fuel lines new filters clean fuel system, valves adjusted, timing chain is good, compression good car runs great!! I am now in California, 3rd trip in this car from Tn.
@ 8 k elevation car wouldn't get out of its own way, turned alada sdj. 1 full turn out that solved that problem. Next morning car would barely run on cold start up for about 30 seconds then started hitting on all 5 I see no air bubbles in fuel line an NO leaks! other then small oil leaks on the ground. air seems to be getting into fuel system ????? HELP!

If you are at 8k elevation, it's probably cold?

How old are the glowplugs?

about a year old I am now near sea level in altitude temps in the 40's to 60's its been starting up this way every day. It starts just like you put new injectors in an there is air in the lines .. clears up after about 30-40 seconds or so.

If it's an air leak, any place where the fuel system could leak out fuel can leak in air.

So all I can do is ask more questions:

Primer pump: new (black) or old style? If the old (twist-out) style, replace it. If a newer one, can you feel pressure when you operate it?

You say you replaced fuel lines, does that mean the return lines? If so, did you replace the end cap on the 5th injector as well? With an actual cap or a homemade piece of line with a screw stuck in it?

Have you checked the short length of fuel hose between the clear filter and the lift pump? This gets forgotten and can split from age, or the clamp at the pump loosens just enough.

Are you 100 pct sure that the connections on the metal lines from the pump to the injectors are all tight and correctly threaded?

Sometimes the Primer Pumps will allow air to enter. Do you have the old style you have to unscrew and pump. if they leak fuel while pumping, they will suck air......just a thought.


charlie

its the new one Black and yes all lines were replaced, returns etc. yes all lines are threaded properly etc. all IS DRY no Sweating etc. this the 3rd trip to California in this car from Tennessee. I have HAD ZERO problems up until this trip.. the short line from the inline filter to lift pump is new also. there is a puddle under the car about 6" in Diameter, near the back of the IP the next morning, but I can tell where its coming from. I know fuel is leaking out an letting air IN. just don't know where. been near 2 weeks now an problem is the same.

Could be a leak from one of the clear fuel hoses that have banjo bolts on the end that run between the IP and primary fuel filter. These lines are getting old and are usually original so more will start leaking, but they aren't usually on the radar when replacing fuel system parts.

Ok I will check them all again thanks all for the help :)