Had installed six new glow plugs, new MAFS in the last four months. Ran fine, except for a little lag around 1,500 RPM.

Noticed a hard start problem when hot recently. Went to deaelr they had it for two days and finally said it needs a starting module $1,200.00 but it will continue to start. It will nor start eventually.

Left the garage door open a few nights ago, went down to start and it just cranked, almost started then cranked. Heated up the fuel lines, filter and block . After a few minutes it started, figured it gelled up.

Two days later went to start the car almost turned over then just cranked. Changed the filter, almost started then just cranked.

Can't seem to see any air in the clear fuel lines and car has plenty of fuel in it.

Glow plug light comes on normal and goes off normal. Could be a coincidence that the module went the same time I left the door open, I guess.

Any dieas?

When I replaced all the o-rings under my IP's Pressure Control Valves I had COMPLETELY drained all the fuel lines which I ended up replacing. It took two cranking sessions of 30 seconds each interrupted by an hour cooling interval for the starter to get it primed.

Are you sure you have all the air out?

You also mentioned replacing the fuel filter. Have you replaced the prefilter and its o-ring as well? These engines are notoriously senstive to air leaks.

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2005 Pathfinder LE
2001 E55
1998 M3
1982 320i

Recheck your glow plug connector on the driver's side (US model) fender well under the hood. I recently unplugged mine to find which plugs had failed and did not get it back on completely tight. The car would not start, although it puffed and wheezed and sounded like it might. I knew I had just taken the plug off and figured I must not have put it back tight. I was right, it was not snapped "home" and made no contact with any plugs. The light came on and off ok, but no juice to the plugs. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I changed the filter as I always do. O-rings and all, primed filter, never had a problem before.

Started fine until the night I left the garage open. It was about 20 deg out.

Maybe the "starting module" finally went.

ttt