1981 300 Sd Turbo Diesel Newbie Help

[kmichael30]

Hello group, i'm the proud owner of a 1981 300SD that was given to me as a gift. Great car, but it has not been started in 2 years. I changed the oil and put 2 new filters drained the old gas out and put new gas in diesel of course tried to start it and it sound like it wanted to crank but it would not start. what should i do next please go easy on me guys i love this car, but i don't know anything about them. I have a can of the diesel purge but i think that the car has to be running to use it any ideas on what to do to get this baby to crank

[Brian Carlton]

When you changed the fuel filters, did you run the hand primer pump about 100 strokes to force fuel through the system?

This pump is on the driver's side of the engine, down low on the block. You can see the fuel hoses going into the lift pump right near this primer pump. It's usually a clear plastic device with a plastic plunger handle. Sometimes, when very old, it leaks like hell and needs to be replaced with the newer design.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by kmichael30

Hello group, I'm the proud owner of a 1981 300SD that was given to me as a gift. Great car, but it has not been started in 2 years. I changed the oil and put 2 new filters drained the old gas out and put new gas in diesel of course tried to start it and it sound like it wanted to crank but it would not start. what should i do next please go easy on me guys i love this car, but i don't know anything about them. I have a can of the diesel purge but i think that the car has to be running to use it any ideas on what to do to get this baby to crank

Did you fill the new filter with diesel, before you installed it?
Does the diesel engine crank faster than a gasoline engine?
Do the interior lights get dim during the glow plug cycle?
Do you have a fifty amp or heavier battery charger?

Note:
You may use diesel purge to fill the fuel filters.

[kmichael30]

no guys i hav'nt done none of those things i will give it a try and let u know what happens thanks

[RockinWagin]

Originally Posted by kmichael30

no guys i hav'nt done none of those things i will give it a try and let u know what happens thanks

Where in Texas are u, anyway?

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by kmichael30

no guys i hav'nt done none of those things i will give it a try and let u know what happens thanks

You definitely must fill the secondary filter with fuel.

Then you must pump the primer pump until you hear all the air escape out of the top of the secondary filter.

Then, start the engine.

[P.E.Haiges]

kmicheal30,

Your troubles began when you "fixed something that wasn't broken". Learn from this experience.

You should have just tried to start it and not F***** with it when you didn't know what you were doing. It probably would have started unless the fuel was contaminated with fungus and couldn't get thru the filters, but this is rare. Diesel fuel is not like gasoline, it doesn't deteriorate. I used Diesel fuel that was over 10 years old with no noticeable difference.

What did you do with the fuel you took out? It you still have it, put it back in the tank, there is nothing wrong it unless it has fungus in it. Then it and the fuel system must be treated with a funguscide such as Biocor.

BTW, you are actually trying to start with the old fuel because it takes a while after the engine is running for the new fuel to get to the engine.

P E H

Do any of the dash lights come on when you go to start it (BTW I have a 81 300SD too!)?
WHen you turn the key to the start position does the lights (dome light) get dimmer?
Charge the battery and try again
Email me if you have any car specific questions...I have been through most of them..