PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - My baby only starts with a shot of ether. Yikes!

zsmith29 · #1 09-25-2009, 10:37 AM

I know that it is one of the worst things for a diesel but I am out of ideas.
I have owned my 1984 300D that has 320,xxx miles on it for a little over 2 years now.
For the past several months it has not been starting right.

I run WVO in it with a single tank in the Summer. I have had no fuel related problems other than clogged filters so far with it. Gentlemen, please do not give me negative comments for running WVO in my car. I am open to any and all suggestions and questions but please don't throw in the usual WVO neg comments.

When the problem began (no starting once the the engine got warm; i.e. I go to do round town errands and I get stranded at the grocery store) I thought it was starter so I took it to my local indy and got him to install a new starter and adjust the valves.

I changed out the glow plugs and fuel filters a few months ago when the problem began.

It ran ok for that day but then the problem came back that night after takming it to the indy shop.

Now, I let it sit for a month and then I got a new battery, still it won't start. So I hit it with a shot of starting fluid and it starts right up.
But, it will die when I let it idle.

I hooked up a little diesel 12 volt fuel pump to get it a little more pressure and see if the lift pump went out but that made no difference.

Guy's,
I am open to any and all suggestions.
Zack Smith