1976 240D trying to get it to start....

[katja]

x2 on the primer pump.....if it leaks fuel, it will also lead to air getting in the fuel system...I had the same problem, and the symptom was that it would almost start but not quite. If you prime it well (maybe loosen the fitting on the big fuel filter to bleed air out) & lock down the pump handle tight then floor it when cranking it might start, but you should replace the primer (which is somewhat challenging on the W115 because there's not much room to get wrenches in).

I hope you shut down before you lost oil pressure when the oil pan broke...from what I've been reading on this site, it sounds like sudden loss of oil on the freeway is the number 1 killer of Mercedes diesels...

BTW does your car have hydraulics, or are the springs cut? It looks like your tires would be rubbing the wheel wells from that photo. When I bought my car, it had 50 series tires and thus was a bit lower than it is now - my oil pan had been cracked (and welded as a repair) and I had to replace it too. I'm always paranoid about hitting any bump too hard because it seems that pan is very vulnerable.

[t walgamuth]

What have you done mechanically since the oil pan incident? If it ran before that it should run now.

[Kpmurphy]

After you figure this problem out you may want to check out your front body mounts, engine mounts and or radiator mounts your fan shroud is or was geting tor up by the fan.
Dam thar car is low I just put new springs on the front and about to install the back springs this weekend.

[W115 All Day]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

What have you done mechanically since the oil pan incident? If it ran before that it should run now.

That's what I've been thinking, all I've done is change out the motor mounts and replace the pan and gasket.
There has been a few times I had to beat the starter to get the car to start, but it doesn't seem like that's effecting me right now

Car is on cut springs but rides like a nice cupkit