Hi, I recently bought a 75 240d with a bad motor and I have been trying to get it to start so I can hear for myself how damaged the motor is (the PO said it sounded like a cement mixer). Although I can get the motor to crank fine and it even sounds like it wants to fire up...it wont. The Glow Plug light on the dash does not light up and I am now going to pull the glow plugs and check them. My question for this post however it the diesel fuel in the fuel tank. The PO told my he filled it right before he blew the motor two years ago and said that diesel fuel should keep fine and I should not have to drain the tank and add fresh fuel. Is this accurate? The tank is literally full and I would hate to have to drain it but I will if that is what I need to do. Thanks for any help or tips you can provide. Chris

take alook at the fuel filters, if they are dirty replace them.
the main reason why it wont start is probably the glowplugs, however if it is warm outside, then the motor should start with some cranking, unless it realy is damaged.

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82' 300SD

if the fuel tank has been TOTALLY full, it should be fine. I mean to say, if there is fuel in the top of the filler neck full, not just showing full on the gauge.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

The fuel is just below the filler neck. What is the best way to drain the fuel from the tank and remove any excess from the lines and the rest of the system?

Remove the tank, pressure wash it and blast out the fuel lines going to the front of the car. Just make sure to detach the fuel lines in the front and aim them somewhere that you don't care to get really dirty.

Before doing all that, I'd set up a temp. tank in the engine compartment (bypass the fuel tank completely) and try to get it running that way. Good for troubleshooting fuel system problems.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

I agree with Justin. It is easy enough to set up a temporary tank using an old juice bottle or better yet get the 1/2 gallon jug of Power Service diesel fuel additive from you local Wal-Mart. The diesel giant has some great photos on his web site showing how to make the connections. It is the same process as if you were doing the Diesel Purge process to clean the injectors. Here is the link to the correct page. http://dieselgiant.com/injectorcleaning.htm

A good rule of thumb with any diesel engine problems is to start by changing the fuel filters. Hook up your temporary tank using a jug of Power Service or a juice container and fresh Diesel, use the plunger on the side of the injection pump to hand prime the system. Crank it over.

TimK

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EPA 609 & 608 HVAC Certified
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83' 300D Turbo - 300K + Miles
00' 1.9L TDI Beetle
85' 6.5L Turbo, GV-OD, GMC Suburban,
67' 2.5L Diesel NA - Land Rover Series IIA

Here's what you do if it's so cold your diesel fuel gels. Smear some on some toast and stay inside until it warms up outside.

Thanks for the tips. I will assume then that the diesel should be replaced with fresh fuel. I will try the juice bottle temp tank as soon as I get the glow plug problem worked out. Thanks so much for the help. Chris

The fuel may be fine, as long as it was not exposed to moisture. I would also be concerned with the fungus.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Get yourself about 5 feet of cheap plastic hose or tubing from a hardware store and siphon some off into a clear glass jar or container. Get a representative sample from the bottom of the tank, middle and top. Let the fuel and foam settle out and and take a look...... LSD diesel fuel from a couple years ago had a clear yellowish tint. If there is dark stuff floating in it then you have colonies of micro-organisims/fungus. If it is "wet fuel" then some moisture/water will seperate out and you will see it. If there is no evidence of fungus or water then it should be fine. Sometimes the tint of the fuel was a little different between winterized diesel and summer diesel but it was all clear and not dark/opaque unless contaminated with rust, fungus and water.......
Good Luck!

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FRED

Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K
Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini
Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K
87 300SDL, 251K
94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K

unless there was water or bacteria in the tank it will be fine.

to be sure you can treat the fuel with biocide. available at farm truck and marine supply places.

it probably will not start due to glow plug problems.

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.

Thanks for the tips. I like the idea of siphoning off at three different levels and inspecting. Think I will do that in the morning and get the GP circuit up and running. I still have my fingers crossed that this engine isn't toast. Chris