Hello everyone! Just rescued a 1971 220D from an abandoned warehouse where it sat since 2004. No major rust and a ton of potential. Only problem is I can’t get it to start. Before even attempting to crank the motor, I changed the oil, removed glow plugs and turned engine by hand with Marvel mystery oil in the cylinders, replaced the primary/secondary fuel filters and tank screen, changed most black rubber fuel lines, updated original leaking primer pump with new Bosch design, changed injector pump oil, flushed coolant, cleaned oil bath air filter, etc. I notably did not adjust the valves or replace clear plastic lines. I did not remove injectors or IP.

I have cranked the car about 15 times (45 secs with at least 2 min rest between attempts). It occasionally sputters and even started and immediately died one time. Mostly it just cranks. I have cracked the injector lines during some of these attempts and only get fuel from cylinders 1, 2, and 4. No fuel dribble ever from cylinder 3 despite multiple tries with line open. Glow plugs appear to be functioning based on salt shaker light and hot resistance wires.

No obvious air leaks. I’ve hand primed it at least 100 times but don’t get a very noticeable return line buzz.

What’s the next step here? Rebuild injectors, stuck IP rack, glow plugs? I’m at a loss for now but feel like we’re very close.

Thanks!

Luke