I live in Midwest - My 98 Mercedes E300 has been starting this winter however now no start.
A couple months ago I changed out the fuel filter due to harder starts which resulted in quicker starts and later a miss at times which went away after I added some diesel injector cleaner/water absorption/ant-gel additive to fuel - so as of lately every thing had been working as it should - quick and even starts with no miss.

I know I am getting voltage to the glow plug harness connection there on the driver's fender well by the ABS module. The glow pugs were all replaced less than a couple of years ago so I don't think its that. Motor turns over well and evenly meaning battery starter and compression seem to be good. I don't notice any visible air gaps or air bubbles in the fuel lines however I have not cracked a line to see if pressure is building - is there a way to check the fuel shutoff valve on these pumps?

I have a BlueDriver Pro Scan Tool - is there a 38pin adaptor that it can be used with - if not what is a good diagnostic tool to buy to check fault codes?

Are there any suggestions as to any preliminary checks and how I might trouble shoot before I use diagnostic information? thanks in advance and merry Christmas

Do you want to sell it?

Is glow plug lite on after engine starts/runs? If no then time to start looking for fuel line leaks.

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Jim

You should also make certain that your shut off valve opens too.

If your have an assistant, they can listen for the click. If your alone, see below:

Hood up, window down, turn key to pos 2, listen for click of SOV opening. No click, no fuel, no start.

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96 E300d

Glow plug light goes off properly after glowing time and strong two clicks heard - one being the glow plug relay and other fuel shut off valve - I looked for proper air bleeding out of fuel system but could not find one - also where is the low pressure fuel pump which may need bleeding or replacing? and is there a recommended fuel pressure gauge to buy in order to check it?

This is what I would check. Use a meter to ohm out every glow plug at the GP relay. GP light on doesn't mean all 6 are working. It could be 5 or 4. If all 6 are checked out then crack open the injector nut one at a time ( 14mm spanner ) and crank the engine. If fuel spills out then the fuel system is fine on that line. Retighren the line and check next one. There is not much to no start if the car had been working fine previously.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

Save your money and don't worry about fuel pressure gauge.

You want to remove the plastic cover on top (if you have not already) of engine and loosen the 14mm fuel lines at the injectors. Do you see fuel drip out when you loosen it? Does fuel come out while cranking over engine. It won't start until you get fuel out and it typically starts fueling the injector closest to the fire wall first. If no fuel then I'd start by changing all fuel lines and o-rings around the injection pump/spin on filter. Don't forget to check spin on filter housing pre-filter. I've got one in the shop now that is leaking like a sieve with most of it coming from delivery valves. Will be changing those seals along with all plastic hoses and o-rings as applicable.

If no rust I'm serious about seeing if you want to sell.

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Jim

I ohm glow plugs at relay connector all 6 check at .6 ohms each

I did notice some air in the fuel line going from shutoff valve to fuel filter so I pressurized fuel tank at the fuel inlet with rag wrapped around air nozzle from air compressor

Tried to start - no dice but then noticed I had left the glow plug connector plug disconnected - after connecting it started right up missing for a bit and then smoothing out

I also noticed that after pressurizing with air from tank inlet fuel had leaked a bit out of what I think is the fuel thermostat between injection pump and engine as well as out of the pre-chamber fuel filter

I am ordering o rings to replace them - is there a recommended kit to get?

After starting I noticed the check engine light stayed on - I am guessing maybe as a result of trying to start with the glow plug connector disconnected?

How do I clear the check engine light?
Merry Christmas!

Take it to one of the auto zone type places to read/clear code if you don't have a code reader

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Jim

[QUOTE=engatwork;4207875]Take it to one of the auto zone type places to read/clear code if you don't have a code reader[/Q

I have an OBDII BlueDriver diagnostic tool code reader I wonder if I can hook it up using a 38 Mercedes pin adaptor to read codes?

Try hooking it to the OBD port under steering column area.

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Jim

No AutoZone in my area has a 38 OBDI port which is what my 98 E300 has adaptor to any of their diagnostic scan tools so that is out of the question - what adaptor do I need to buy if anyone has this info that I can use to hook up to my OBDII Blue Driver Scan Tool (its a blue tooth to cell phone) so that I can read and clear codes?

Did you change your K40 relay?

A bad K40 caused a no start on my 99 diesel and my 97 E420.

Here is the adapter

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275038278737?hash=item40098f1451:g:4ZoAAOSwdkphnKEK

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David Hendy
'97 Renntech E60RS
'97 GMC 2500 Sub' Diesel
'95 E300D
'88 300TE
'88 250TD
'84 L/Rover 109

Have you tried using the OBD II port under the dash? It's near the hood release on the left and might have a cap covering the pins (at least it is on my '97 E300). Not positive about this, but, I think after '97 the OBD II port can be used instead of the 38 pin connector. I know, for sure, my '97 will only give engine info from the connector under the dash. For all other system info, gotta use the 38 pin (on my '97). Starting in '98, system info could be obtained at the OBD II port (I believe, but can't guarantee). Give it try, can't hurt.

No AutoZone in my area has a 38 OBDI port adaptor which is what my 98 E300 needs to connect to any of their diagnostic scan tools so that is out of the question - what adaptor do I need to buy if anyone has this info that I can use to hook up to my OBDII Blue Driver Scan Tool (its a blue tooth to cell phone) so that I can read and clear codes? To my knowledge the 1998 E300 diesels did not have an OBDII port connector - the port is there but mine is empty

If you are sucking air into the line from the heater mounted on the side of the engine to the housing for the spin on filter then you have air in the system. Replace all of the plastic hoses and o-rings as applicable. You will need to remove the intake manifold to do it. Also don't forget the oring behind the shut off valve. Once all these are replaced get back with us and we'll go through the start up procedure.

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Jim