1987 300tdt hard starting
 

Hi guys,

I just wanted your input on my problem. My 300td suddenly didn't want to start. I had the glow plugs check and yes I needed to replace 4 of them, so i did (2 days ago). Suddenly this morning she didn't want to start again. I noticed when I popped the hood that the shut off valve was in a different position it was down. I am not sure how the position should be but if I remember correctly it should standing up with the keys out. Oh well... please anyone help or give me inputs. The shut off valve I am talking about is the one near the injection pump and has STOP written on it. Thanks.

the stop lever should be down when not running and up when running

what's your glow plug light doing? coming on like normal? if you wait for 30 or so seconds before trying to start can you hear the glow plug relay turn off?

have you tested the glow plug relay and the harness for power at all the glow plugs?

It won't start with the lever down, it's the fuel shutoff.

Turn the key, open the hood, and look at the stop lever. Should be all the way up. If not, push it up -- mine is sticking and I think it's the seal in the IP around the shaft dragging, I need to replace it. I'm getting tired of opening the hood every time I want to start the car. Shuts off just fine nearly all the time, but sticks once in a while then, too.

Probably means a new shutoff solenoid, a real pain to replace.

Peter

Thanks for your input guys.. I will try to observe what you suggest..

Peter, How do you replace the solenoid on the shut off valve? Do you have to remove the whole injection pump?

Albert

make sure you don't have a vacuum leak somewhere else before going through all that trouble. no you don't have to remove the IP.

not sure on the exact procedure, sorry :(

I'm pretty sure on that IP you can easily get to the vacuum shutoff valve. It's not like the 617 where it's pinned between the IP and oil filter. Look up that part on www.*************** to see a pic of what it looks like then find it on your Injection Pump. I'm sure it's not super hard to reach on the 603 engine.

But... before you replace it, make sure it's bad. If the stop lever is down that could be something else like a sticking o ring as someone else mentioned. Generally if your car won't shut off with the key you may want to check the shut off valve, or vacuum to it. The way to check it is generally to pull the vac line and see if it holds vacuum at the valve itself.

If the system holds a vacuum well the shut-off lever will stay down a long time. It should pop up when you turn the key to on/glow and relieve the vacuum in the lines (so to speak).

To replace a 603 shut-off actuator, follow gsxr's instructions for removing the ALDA. That will free up enough space to get to the inside bolt holding down the shut-off actuator. ALDA clocking is not critical so don't worry if it doesn't go back on exactly how it was previously.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0 - comatose

I was able to find the problem of my hard starting. I had fuel leaks from the return hose and supply hose to the IP. Problem solved!!