87 300TD will not start when hot
 

Hello all,
My 87 300TD will not start when it has been driven up to operating temperature, shut off, and left for 20-50 minutes. When I get back to the car after an errand, it cranks and cranks, but will not fire. It starts when cold very easily, even in the dead of a Minnesota winter. What gives? I have done some searching on the forum here but could not come up with an answer. If anyone has some advice, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

1987 300TDT ~264,000 miles

Fuel tank vent working?

Hot starter cranking noticably slower? Check to make sure the vacuum shutoff on the pump is not staying on somehow?

when was the last time the valves were adjusted?

That happened on a 300d euro that I bought to sell. It drove me crazy trying to find that. It wouldn't start until the vaccum bled of. Try unpluging the vac. line to the shutoff on the IP.

Hydraulic lifters on the 603; no adjustments required.

You're not running vegetable oil blended with 15% gasoline are you? If so, and your in tank screen is dirty, the gas can cause a vapor lock and prevent starting.

-Jim

Thank you all for responding,
I have tried to open the gas cap before I try to start it, there is a very small amount of vacuum present when I open the cap, but it does not help with starting. I have also looked at the manual shut off lever, it is in the full upright position when I try to start it. Is it still possible that there is still some vacuum pressure preventing the valve from functioning properly?

The cranking speed seems to be the same when hot as it is when cold.

Could this be a timing issue? Either timing chain (I have not checked the stretch) or the pump timing?

One more thing, sorry such a long post, but this may be important. There is a greasecar system installed that I have never used. It was installed by the previous owner, but I have been spending my time trying to get it running properly before I messed with that. I have heard of the greasecar switching valves sticking in various positions, should I plumb the fuel system as original and see if that makes a difference?

Thanks again!

If it were mine I would take the grease system off and sell it. If you search this forum you will be up all night reading posts about cars not starting or some related problem with a grease system. If you want to burn WVO turn it into biodiesel first then burn it.

Chris

That is one of the reasons I have not used the system, I am not convinced it is good for these diesels, but do you think it could be contributing to my hot start issue even when not being used?

Well one way to tell is if you take it off and put the car back like it was before. It sounds like you are not getting fuel soooooo I would guess that something isn't right with the grease system. Which one do you have?

It is a greasecar kit. It has the two switching valves up front, the hose in hose heating, heated WVO filter up front as well. I am going to try plumbing the fuel system "original" tomorrow.

Yeah, don't take it out just yet-- just bypass it and see if it makes a difference.

When you're having the no-start issue, pop the hood and pull off the return fuel line and see if fuel is flowing while cranking it (you may need somebody to help you). If it's not, you've found your problem.

Good luck.

The return fuel line? Would you remove it at the main fuel filter? What should I see while cranking? Should the return flow be steady, and if it is not, how do you fix it?
Thanks