I have a turbo charged OM616 (FT2400) engine, manufactured under licence from MB. It has 18500 Km on the odo.


There seems to be a peculiar problem with my Car.


Every day before I leave for office, I come down to the basement start my car , then go up and fetch my computer and lunch bag before I leave for office. This way I let it idle for four to five minutes.


After I have not started my car for 2 or 3 days, when I start it up, it starts instantly and starts running. But by the time I go up and come back down, the engine shuts off. When I try to re start the engine, it takes atleast five or six attempts. I have to crank and play with the gas pedal...then crank and try again ...etc . Even then the engine sputters and gives out a bit of black smoke, and does not respond to the throttle for about 30 seconds to a minute.

Then the engine seems to run smoothly.

This has happened twice so far and on both occassions my Diesel tank was near to empty.

It has never happened to me when I am using my car daily no matter how low the fuel is.

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Ramachandran Subramanian ( Ram )
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Sounds to me like you have a slight air leak in the fuel system. Next time it dies take a look at the clear pre-filter...I bet it will have air in it. Try tightening all of the hose clamps and bolts on the fuel lines and fuel filter, and if possible replace the crush washers under the "banjo" fittings.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I would lean more toward tank screen/filters if fuel was low when it happened.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Given the fact that your chaassis and body were disconnected, I'd go with the air in the line diagnosis and look closely at where the fuel lines were disconnected/connected.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13