Pass the defibrilator. 1979 300D

[babyjames]

Is that how it is spelled? Anyway... I bought a '79 300D that hasn't run in a while (try four years!) and am having some trouble getting it going.

I have had it running for a few seconds - twice actually - but it just won't hold. Any ideas?

It has a radiator-hose "block" heater, which I am utilizing, and the glow plugs are good. I have it hooked up to a bottle with diesel purge for the fuel source, and fuel does appear to flow freely.

O.k., the compression is pretty low on two buckets, but I think there's enough pressure to get it to run (obviously, it wouldn't have done so already if there weren't).

Tomorrow I'm headed to Autozone to get a magnetic oil pan heater to help the hose thingy along. On that front, do those things get the coolant up to 80C? If not, what good do they do? If the coolant isn't over 80, then the thermostat stays closed, so where's the hot water supposed to go?

Jay.

[Motorhead]

I would do atleast a valve clearance check. Cold setting is .004" intake and .012" ehxaust. You would be suprised how a slightly tight valve can affect starting. The other thing I would try is TOW STARTING the car. This gets the engine turning faster than the starter will. I did this to a '79 300D that had sat a long time. It just wouldn't catch with the starter.
Tow the car to about 35mph for a quarter mile or so to get the trans pressured up via the rear pump. Turn on the key to ON position and select the shifter to "S". This will turn the engine over and it should start. Idle the car down until the glow relay lets go then drive the car awhile.

[Jadavis]

Pour a teaspoon of oil into each cylinder and check the compression again. I've heard that this can help the rings seal up a little tighter. Maybe enough to help with the start.

If the lower radiator hose heater is working then it should be enough on it's own. It is something like 600 Watts. The oil pan heater is only about 200 watts, plus it is about $55. The hose heater should be enough. Try throwing a blanket over the engine while the heater is on. It takes several hours to get up to temperature.

-Jim

[babyjames]

As of right now, the car has no brakes, so the tow-start is out of the question.

Valve clearances are good.

I had already poured some motor oil into the cylinders via the injector holes.

I've been trying WD-40, as well.

She wants to go, but....

Jay.

P.S. I got one of the 300W magnetic heaters at Autozone for $30. I now have both it and the radiator heater on the car.

[babyjames]

Hat's off to the blankie idea. I didn't have a blanket, but, rather, closed the hood (It was a little warmer today, as well.... AHEM!)! Fired right up! Some reman calipers on the front, at the very least, and there'll be another W123 car back on the road.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Jay.