Please help, I just finished changing the air and fuel filter and car won't start. Was running perfectly before the filter change. I also removed and cleaned the prefilter but did not replace the orings. There doesn't seem to be any leaks or air bubbles. The first time after the change it ran rough for a couple of seconds and stalled, it won't start now. I even put the old filter back on full of fuel but still won't start. The tank only has about 1/8 of a tank would it help putting more fuel in it? I looked at the air filter housing for any disconnections but could not find anything. When I removed the new filter it was not completly full. Please help, I done filter changes on other diesels with no problem. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks Acerejo

Your problem is that you have an air leak around the prefilter. the new prefilter does not have the o-ring. If your old prefilter still has the o-rings use it until you can get the rings for the new filter.
( I just made this mistake on a '97 E300D and ended up with a very expensive tow trip to the dealer.) john

Check your pre-filter to make sure it has the black o-ring at the top. Pre-filling the new spin on filter with diesel will speed up the
priming process. If any lines are loose or leaking, the system will never prime completely. Otherwise, keep cranking. It takes
a long time to pump the filters and fiter housing full again.
Give the starter a break after 15-20 sec. A battery charger might keep you out of trouble too. Sometimes the battery will die before the engine lites off. Keep cranking. It will start sooner or later.
DR.D

Having a full tank won't make any difference.

I didn't replace the pre filter or the orings, I just cleaned and reinserted it back. I did install a new main fuel filter, I was thinking about going down to the local dealer and picking up a new prefilter and orings.

If I need to charge the battery can I hook up the charger to positive terminal and ground under the hood?

Do I have to charge the battery directly and disconnect one terminal?

Thanks again for your help.



acerejo

Been there done that with the prefilter o-ring.

Regardless of the prefilter, after changing the main filter, this is a self priming system, so you will have to grind the starter a little while before it will start.

Some things go backwards. IMHO they went backwards when they took away the hand pump.

Good luck,

To charge it up, just connect to the + terminal in the little black plastic box on the drivers fender. There is a ground lug right next to it. Otherwise, pull out the rear seat lower cusion to access the battery direct. You don't need to disconnect it however.