I installed a Mann fuel filter and pre filter yesterday and cant get the E300 started. I did a dumb thing and used just the Diesel fuel in the old filter to fill the new one. For some reason the old filter seemed more like half full when I poured it into the new one. I went ahead anyway, thinking the system would be able to purge any air with a bit of cranking.
It has not done so with at least 10 sessions of cranking and a dead battery which I am charging overnight for the second time. This Morning I got some more diesel and refilled the filter 3 times between cranking with no luck yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Should I use WOT during cranking or not? What else can I do, I am hoping I won't have to get a tow and shop help with this.
Thanks in advance,
Paul
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98 e300td

On another diesel I owned, it was definitely a good idea to start and warm the engine first before changing fuel filters in the case of no primer pump.

What about your glow plug light? Maybe several extended glow cycles before cranking will do the trick.

What concerns me is you stated that you "emptied" the fuel filter 3 times cranking it over. Definitely don't apply WOT on a cold engine as you are just pumping raw cold fuel into a cold engine which, with the nature of diesel, has no hope of firing.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

yes you just have to keep cranking and use WOT.. do not pump the throttle when trying to crank the car just floor it and crank (for like 12 seconds)....g will eventually start... You might have to replace your battery though if you cycle it too deeplyl

If you did not replace the O ring on the pre filter then you likely have an air leak. You've got to use a new O ring each time you pull the pre filter to be safe.

Len

I second Sokoloff's analysis, been there.

Been there...done that. If you haven't discarded the old prefilter you can use the 0 ring off of it and get a new one for the next change.

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

With the E300D's put your foot to the floor and turn the key fob. Thats about it.

fyi don't hold the key over, you can let go of it as soon as it starts turning over. The computer will turn the starter over on its own.

The cheap sob's don't inlcude an oring with the pre filter, you still need to change it. Also don't dump the old fuel in your old filter in the new one. You just gave the new filter a ncie load of dirt.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Been there also. I third that

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#dieselFLEET
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'97 E300
'99 E300

Thanks to all for the advice and comments. I am still trying and will let you all know when I have some success. I killed the battery in the benz and my Toyota as well (6 year old battery with little use for 6 months) so it will probably be early next week. I do feel a little better just having the response.
Paul
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98 E300td

be careful using the "start" mode on your charger...this motor takes a lot of juice to turn over... you might blow out your alternator....

I 4th that. Follow the procedure in the owners manual procedure "for restarting if you run out of fuel." And don't forget to replace the "nickle size" O-ring in the pre-filter. Common mistake when replacing the pre-filter for the first time.

When I have to keep cranking my diesel fo rthese types of issues. I pull out my jumper cables, cooonect them to my E300 and our C220, and start cranking away. I've killed my battery a few times with cranking until it's really weak.

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#dieselFLEET
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'97 E300
'99 E300

SUCCESS, I put in a new battery and on the second round of cranking at WOT she started right up. My thinking is the om606 engine really appreciates a strong battery in order to facilitate "self-priming".
Thanks again all, it just feels better having a forum for support.
Paul
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98 e300td