Hi all!
I am a new owner of an '81 300D and have many questions regarding self repairs. Is there a GOOD repair manual that someone can suggest?
I have been having problems starting the car and replaced the glow plugs to no avail. I looked on this web sight to get some insight and will go from there. I know there are several areas to check (relay, low compression, faulty glow plug, etc.).
Also, does this model have a block heater? Help!
Thanks for all your help.
Anna

Anna,
Congratulations on joining the diesel club. I think you will find almost all the answers to your questions under the search feature of this website.

If you are going to keep your car for a long time, and do most of the work yourself, I would highly recommend the CD ROM that is available at Parts Shop here at this forum. You could by the paper manuals individually but it will cost a lot more. The CD ROM has every manual on it except Transmission?

I started with a Chilton's manual that was not just for my car, it had every Mercedes model made in it. But I found it lacking in information about testing systems like the glow plug relay. But it is informative.

Try searching under glow plug relay here. I know there are some posts about testing it.

What does the glow plug light do when you turn the key?

I would also check to see if you have air in the fuel system. There is a hand pump down next to the injection pump that you can pump to get the air out. Try a search for air in system, or hand pump.

Look at the fabric covered fuel lines that go from injector to injector to see if they are wet. Air in a diesel fuel system is a bad thing.

Do you have a cord hanging out on the passenger side of the front bumper? Do a search under block heater because many people have asked this question recently.

If it is really cold, that may be the main problem with not starting.

...you know, the one on the dash, just to the left of the steering wheel...I was told this is a sort of choke for when it is cold out...for fuel enrichment. If it is broke, I have had good luck starting a cold diesel ( a '79) by depressing the gaspedal just a wee bit while cranking.
Oh, before I appear totally rude...welcome to the "Shop" and the diesel world!
my two cents... -Larry

__________________
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09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Anna,

I'm sure my daughter would join me in welcoming you. She has an '81 300D that I am trying to make easier to start.

In most cases replacing the glow plugs will fix these right up. My daughters car is leaking air somehow, and she has to keep grinding the starter even after the engine is trying to fire to get it to start.

Most likely your car has a block heater, but not necessarily a cord. To ensure that the block heater is in place, get underneath and look up on the passenger side of the block next to the exhaust manifold. If it is there, with no cord, you can get a cord from parts shop and add it. They are only about $20. You may find a cord there, in which case you can trace it forward to find out where you can connect it.

I'm sure that the CD is good, but I've had a Haynes manual for years and it is very good on this car. They are much less expensive than the CD.

Good luck and keep us posted, you will find much help here,