1976 240D trying to get it to start.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

W115 All Day · #1 06-15-2011, 07:03 PM

The other day I busted the oil pan on my 240d, I shut the car off about 4 seconds after this happened. The next day I put a new oil pan on and oil and tryed starting it up, it turned over but would not run. Before the busted oil pan this car would start up first try and never gave me problems so Im confused. I checked to make sure the cam and chain was moving, so its not locked up. Trying to get some ideas so I can get it back on the road.
All 4 injectors are getting fuel

Thanks
Link to a video of the car trying to start
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46292365@N05/5837035508/
Thanks :bowdown:

junqueyardjim · #2 06-15-2011, 07:12 PM

Very confusing. If it won't "turn over", that is it will not crank to start that is one problem. If it cranks but will not run, that is another problem. Now be clear and tell us what the problem is?

W115 All Day · #3 06-15-2011, 07:16 PM

the car will crank all day but not run
I have a video of the car ^^^

junqueyardjim · #4 06-15-2011, 07:18 PM

OK, OK so the video shows it does crank and turn over. Then why do you say it doesn't turn over? Anyway, it cranks, it turns over, but it doesn't run. It is trying to start, it sounds like it is very close to running. It sounds like it is not getting enough fuel or perhaps a couple of glow plugs are not doing a good job. I would pump that little hand pump tell I know the system is full of full, then have the battery fully charged, and perhaps give the glow plugs a double run before you start cranking the engine.

W115 All Day · #5 06-15-2011, 07:24 PM

I primed the pump until it started spilling fuel around the primer knob. I may just replace the glow plugs to eliminate that problem. The PO bypassed the relay with a toggle switch I know that much

junqueyardjim · #6 06-15-2011, 07:48 PM

Well you are on the right track. All it takes to run is fuel and hot air. Compression can make the air hot enough is the summer if it is in good shape. But it does seem to be cranking quite slow. Another trick to start one that maybe is flooded, (is to spray a little WD40 into the intake while you are cranking) Don't use starter fluid - could kill it! But WD40 if it is the old style with propane (LPG) for a propellant works very well. If your glo plugs are the original type in your car they are series wired. That means they are all on the same wire, and if one is bad, they all are bad. If you have separate wires going to each plug from the relay box, that is the new system and it is a good one, then it could be one or two are bad.

W115 All Day · #7 06-15-2011, 07:50 PM

I went out and took a few pictures of the glow plugs and engine bay, I'm pretty sure they are the orginal style plugs. Is fuel suppose to leak from around the fuel pump primer? Once it gets to the in-line fuel filter it builds up pressure and then on the next few pumps leak from there

Also before I had to beat the starter a few times for it to crank, but I don't think the starter is a part of the problem right now

junqueyardjim · #8 06-15-2011, 08:01 PM

Well it is really easy to see. If the "loopy" wire just runs from plug to plug, they are original and that is probably your problem. Mercedes uses "indirect fuel injection" and that generally requires glo plugs that are working well. Indirect means that the injectors inject the fuel up and into a little hole in the head cavity and that is where the glow plug tip is also. It means that the ignition or explosion of the fuel at the top of the compression stroke, begins there, and Mercedes engineers felt that it removes a lot of the crackling noise of the diesel car engine. I don't know, most of us diesel heads kind of like the noise, but I guess they were considerate of the first owner new car buyer and didn't want his wife to complain about the noise.

junqueyardjim · #9 06-15-2011, 08:04 PM

On this Forum you can post where you want to post. But since it is a diesel mechanical engine problem, you might have gotten more response in the "Diesel Section". In the Diesel section your 76 240D is not considered an antique.

W115 All Day · #10 06-15-2011, 08:05 PM

hahahahha^^^
from that info. I have the orginal style plugs then, any suggestions on which ones I should get or what I will need?
Thanks for the help so far, this is my daily and would love to get it on the road asap

junqueyardjim · #11 06-15-2011, 08:47 PM

Well that is correct. You do have the old loopy style wired in series forever a problem glow plug system. Here is a picture of most of the parts of your system. http://mb.ilcats.ru/part/class/1/ccode/1/cat/004/type/616/subtype/912/group/15/subgr//vers//imgno/5. You know, I can't reference the picture for the new system. But you should change over and do it now before you spend money on the old system. Easy way to do it is go the a junk yard or a P & P and pull all the parts from a junker. That would mean pulling the glow plugs, though you really should go with new plugs so then just take the little nut off the plug to get the wiring on or off all four. Follow that wiring to the relay box, take the wiring and the box. Then follow the wiring from the junction box to where ever you can dis connect it, and then you have the whole thing (probably for $20.00). Or you can order the whole thing from your Mercedes dealer for (my guess) $600.00, or you could put a notice right down below on the forum main page under used parts (Parts swap and classified) and I am sure somebody will come up with all the parts and they will list their own idea of what they are worth. I think, ("I think but I don't know for sure") that I have most of what you need in the garage. I did sell that 240D engine a month ago and I don't know if it went with that engine or not. You might easily find the whole take off on Ebay also. You could buy it all and still have a bum controller, that's life. Then you will just have to find another. I believe the controller is the same between the 4 and 5 cylinder engines. The fours are engine 615, 616 (later) and the five cylinder engines, 617 and 617T. So now you can think about that

junqueyardjim · #12 06-15-2011, 08:50 PM

OK, so you need the car bad. Have you had it long. Has it had any maintainence that you know of. I am thinking of a valve adjustment. Not had, but you do have to have an idea of what you are doing. If the valves have not been adjusted in a couple years, it will really make starting hard. Tell us what you know.

W115 All Day · #13 06-15-2011, 08:55 PM

switching over to the new style plugs sounds confusing haha,
The car had a recent valve job done about 1k miles ago by the PO thats all the maintenance I know thats been done besides the oil change.
I have had the car for about 2 months now, picked up from someone that lived 300 miles away and it drove back no problem, I have also been using it as a daily. Only problems I had was the starter solenoid getting stuck and the battery light blinking while I drove.

junqueyardjim · #14 06-15-2011, 08:58 PM

If your primer pump is leaking fuel, it is probably leaking air also. You are going to have to replace it. If it is the old style with a screw down white or gray serrated screw down top, it might well be your problem. The news have a black cap and all you do is pump. No turning loose or tight, and they don't leak. Yours is leaking fuel and send air up into the system. New is $16.00 or $20.00. I have an extra (brand new) and will send it up for $10.00.

W115 All Day · #15 06-15-2011, 09:00 PM

my fuel pump primer has a black top and its the unscrew then prime type.
If you have the new style primer Ill take it, send your paypal Addy in a PM
I will replace that and go from there, I also want to get these old style glow plugs off the car hah