I have tried searching, but have not had much luck. My g/f's mom has an '87 TDT w/ the 6cyl. She was driving and it lost a lot of power so she pulled over where it finally died. she could start it up but then it would die again. I figure she ran it out of fuel, so i put 1g of fuel in but still nothing. I replaced both fuel filters as she usually runs biodiesel and they needed it. I can now get it to stay running sometimes w/ my foot on the floor, but its at about 1000 rpms. it acts like it really wants to fire and run but cant. The secondary fuel filter is full but the primary is not(has some fuel). I assume its because the system neds to be primed to re pressurize the system, but can not find the priming pump. Am I on the right track, Doesit have a priming pump, where is it, anyhelp would be appreciated, oh and its in the 70-80's here, so I'm pretty sure its not the g/p's, thanx.

If I remember right that should be a 603 engine. If its any thing like the 603 in my 300SDL there is no primer pump. It took forever for me to get fuel into the engine when I changed the fuel filters. I always get confused when it comes to the naming of the fuel filters. When I replaced my filters I added fuel to the big filter (I think it is properly called the secondary but???) by taking the bolt off the top and put a funnel in the hole. Then I added some diesel fuel; it made it much easier to start.

Are you sure that it is running diesel??? For some reason my gut is saying that it should start easier; I would double check that gas didnt accidently get put into it.

Good Luck,
Matt

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KI6CCA

Current Stable:
1987 300SDL
1980 450SEL

Out to Pasture:
1982 300D KIA (Rice Rocket vs. 123: He hit me at 80-100MPH I walked away he went to the hospital. Sounds fair to me!)
1985 300D EURO Scrapped (got more money from state than car was worth)
1979 & 1980 300SD Great Cars!

If it ran out of fuel you need to put more than a gallon in the tank, thats nothing. Put about 4-5 in there and then try cranking it. If the filters are new/clean then the only thing I can think of that'd restrict starting is a clogged tank strainer, but it seems to sudden of a problem to point to that. Put in more fuel and try to crank it for a bit. If the primary filter is not full of fuel then there's a fuel shortage problem.

Also check the fuel lines for any place they could be leaking or letting air into the system.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

To expand on the above comments, the reason one gallon of fuel is not enough to get the car restarted is because you are now sitting still. While the car was running the movement was able to slosh fuel around so it could be pulled into the fuel system intermittantly. Sure, there would be periods of time when only air could be pulled, but for some period of time you'd get enough fuel to run the car.

Now that you are sitting still there is no sloshing action, and without that sloshing the fuel can't reach the tank strainer. You have to overcome that with several gallons of fuel, not just one gallon.

Does the fuel level gauge show up down at the "R" or lower? I learned the hard way not to put too much trust in the "low fuel" light coming on. One time it didn't.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

it also could be fungus.

if more fuel doesnt do it you might want to get some fungicide and treat the fuel.

available at truck tractor and marine suppliers.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

when i changed my filters this happened to me, i was to lazy to prime, so i started it, and kept the peddle on the floor for about 2 mins until the secondary filled up, it was running rough and would die if i let off the peddle, after about 2 or 3 mins, the engine started to rev up, i continued to let it rev just to make sure it was fll, ever since then, it has been ok

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1983 Euro 240D 277K
2016 Mazda 6
Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Formers:
2012- Mazda 3
2007 Outlander- complete pile
1995 E300 Diesel 208K
2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD
2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K
2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000
2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold
1984 300 turbo diesel 222K

ttt