I desperatly need some troubleshooting hints for my 1980 300sd. The problem is it will not start. I am an experienced mechinic with limited diesel experence and unfortunatly none of it on a mercedes. To make matters worce the only tech manuel I can find is written to cover EVERY model mercedes made in the last 20 or so years!!!
OK OK enough venting on to the symptoms. The engine turns over but will not fire AT ALL. It is getting fuel to the injector pump and like wise to the injectors. the engine sounds like it has suffecent compression to run and has a very stroung suction at the outlet of the air filtor. The engine made no strange noises when it died and acted as if you turned off the ignition so I am shure it is not a internal falure. The glow plugs also check " OK " I have allready replaced both fuel filtors.
I have come to suspect the engine kill systeem but with no techinacial info I have no idea how it functions or how to troubleshoot it.
ANY and ALL advise and / or information would be greatly apprecieated!!! Either on this bulliten board or directly to my e=mail AAIRMEDICS@AOL.COM
THANK YOU!!

Is it getting fuel to the injectors at the correct time. Did you replace the filters yourself? Were the filters changed after the no start condition? I would start out by loosening the lines at the injectors and cranking the engine over to insure you are getting fuel to them. I'm thinking it is a fuel related issue.

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Jim

take the glow plugs out. turn the engine over. Is there a puff of atomized fuel coming out of each glow plug hole? If not its usually air in the system. If fuel is coming out, it could be timing. A good diesel will fog the average garage in about 45 seconds of cranking with a good battery and starter. This technique has helped me after rebuilding an engine and purging the lines before buttoning it up. good luck