Hi, I have a 1986 190D Automatic

I left it parked on a very slight incline for about 2 weeks and now I can't get it to start.
Engine turns fine, lift pump. lines and filters are all new.

This did happen about a month ago when I was parked on a very steep incline overnight but I managed to get it started eventually.

Any ideas how I can get my car started without wearing out the starter?

Thanks!

On my trucks, which have a radically different injection system, I would assume air intrusion into the return lines causing the delivery pump to lose its prime.

If you have a primer pump, try pumping it? Maybe loosen a return line so you can see that you're moving fuel?

__________________
'75 John Deere 450C (times 2)
'83 240D plus parts car
'87 F350, 6.9L IDI
'89 F350 crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'89 F-Superduty, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-250, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-350, 7.3L IDI
'94 F-350 Crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'94 E-350 Ambulance, 7.3L IDI

Thank you.

Make sure you have fuel in the fuel filters and see if they are clean there are two you can see in the engine bay and one in the bottom of the fuel tank

If equipped use the primer pump. Is there a way to reasonably move the car so it is inclined the other direction for a while? If yes try that and crack the fuel cap open.

X2 with nelsontomlinson about a return line allowing air in.

Good luck!!!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Thank you all.

I pushed the car out to the street with the front of the car facing down a slight hill. It started after about an hour of sitting after several attempts.

It is running great now.

Not sure why this is happening.

Park it nose down for a while and look for fuel leaks/seepage.

How much fuel is in the tank?

Good luck!!!

__________________
"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

You could have a small air leak in your fuel hoses on the inlet side of the fuel supply pump causing fuel to migrate back to the tank.

After a rid park it and remove the fuel fill cap overnight and see if it starts. If it starts fine your tank vent system is not working properly.

Your fuel supply/lift pump may need rebuilding as the valves are not keeping the fuel from migrating back to the fuel tank.
There are some threads on rebuilding the fuel pumps and don't forget the tiny 5mm O-ring.

Another way to deter the fuel from migrating back to the fuel tank is to install a check valve in the fuel inlet line. That can be done under the hood if you can cut into your fuel lines.

Never bought any locally. I bought some check valves on eBay. They have all plastic ones or aluminum ones with a plastic valve inside.

Here is an attached pic of some of the aluminum ones I bought.

Note I have only seen one used when I was a diesel mechanic, and a Big Rig Diesel with a Caterpillar engine that when it sat it would lose the rule prime. It worked for that.
Note that that was done because we could not figure out why it was happening. We likely got the check valve from NAPA but if you do that it is going to cost a lot more than on ebay.



If you can find the actual problem, you are better off fixing that.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

"You could have a small air leak in your fuel hoses on the inlet side of the fuel supply pump causing fuel to migrate back to the tank"

What side is the inlet side? Is that before or after the lift pump. My lift pump is new.

Interesting you say this because I do have very slight fuel leak that I have not been able to locate.

Thanks.