Dear friends,

My friend has a Mercedes 240D (manual transmission). The problem is that it will not start using the key. The engine turns but will not "catch" and start. It starts OK if I push start it.

Could you please tell me what may be wrong if it will push start, but will not start with the key?

Thank you very much for all precious help and time.

Regards,

Eric

Eric

Most likely it is related to either the glow plugs or compression. If your valves need adjusting, this is a symptom and well as if your glow plugs are worn out. When was the last time the valves were adjusted?

How many miles on the engine? What weight oil?

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Dear Haasman:

The car is about 190K miles. It runs GREAT after starting (by doing a push start), so I don't think it has something to do with compression.

The oil weight being used is 10W40. I don't know how long ago the valves and glow plugs were adjusted/replaced.

I don't have any experience working with diesel cars so far. I just want to help my friend out.

Thanks much in advance.

Regards,

Eric

when u push start the car, is the engine RPM higher than the RPM on key start? and if it is how much? how long do u need to push it?

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUSH START AND KEY START in "starting" way is engine RPM, there is nothing else that can do it start better, than why the engine needs higher RPM to start can be compression or pre glow fault, check valve clearence and that the PRE GLOWING works OK, also check so the fuel dont leak back to fuel tank.

hope u understood my english it aint the best u can find... =)

Diesels need to spin fast to start. Something in the starting system may be a little off. A quick cheep check is to check the battery plus AND ground cables and connections. Sometimes just loosening them and re-tightning them will help. This includes the negative cable attached to the engine block