PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - 1999 E300 Turbodiesel won't start all of a sudden.

TMAllison · #4 03-20-2004, 11:12 PM

Have been down this road myself with same car.

You do not state that the "check engine light" is on....or that there are any fuel leaks.

Make certain battery voltage and glow plugs are operating properly.

Assuming no CE, the culprit ought to be air in the plactic fuel lines. You should be able to see it if present with a strong flashlight while a friend cranks the engine.

With good battery and glow plugs it should start after priming pump for 30-40 seconds and continuing to crank a couple seconds after you think it caught.

Once running it should keep running if air is the problem as pump is efficient at removing air from system.

Malfunctioning shutoff solenoid can cause same problem but ought to activate CE on dash.

Gilly points out to check the pre-filter, it has an o ring that is often not replaced during service as it has it own part number and assumption of many is it comes as an assembly. It doesnt.