I've had the car for about 2 years. Last Winter is when I really noticed it... just too rough running while warming up, which is why I thought it was a glowplug problem.

I realized injectors were relatively cheap... $45 each and ordered a couple to swap some around, take apart some and test that way. I'm interested in seeing what it will do.

I do change my oil regularly, about every 3K to 3.5K. I find the possibility of lifters, valves what have you an intriguing possibility. I get easily confused with those parts of the engine, having never taken apart a whole motor before. I will say I have not mentioned that my oil indicator light has recently been going off, but I think this is a ground problem and nothing to do with what we are talking about. I already lost my oil pressure gauge, glow plug light and am having problems with the fuel gauge for the same ground problem. Plus I've had the roughness problem long before any of that... In addition my dipstick tells me i've got plenty of oil so I don't think the oil level light plays into any of this.

I'll take ideas until then, but I might not have much progress to report until mid next week when the injectors come in.

Bill

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'87 300SDL, intensely modified Greasecar setup, with nickle plated heat exchanger, 3 valve setup, 312,000 miles
'95 Suburban diesel, Greasecar basics, 16 plate heat exchanger, mercedes fuel lines, Racor filter
'85 Renault Alliance converted full electric vehicle

while you wait on the injectors, go ahead and crack the lines while it's running rough and see if you can narrow it down to a pot or two...

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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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

just curious.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Nah its not a lifter, it would sound like someone is nailing your valve cover with a mini sledge if one was sticking that bad. Heck you would probably wipe the cam out.


You crack injectors to take that cylinder off line. If you crack number one and nothign changes you know number 1 has something to do with the rough running. Keep going, and you will probably have to do it several times.

If every time say number 1 and 3 produce no change you know something is up with those injectors. If they all check out fine its an IP problem.

However if you cannot isolate the cylinder than most likely its IP related.

I doubt its something like an air leak since it goes away, and its not GP's.

Edit: don't bother ordering rebuilds. You need to find your local diesel injection shop and have them test yours for spray pattern and pop pressure. Thats what matters. Rough running usualy means your pop pressure is messed up. Even ordering 6 new nozzels would be pointless(and a waste of money) without a way to check them. Most likely only a few are bad, rebuild the bad ones, leave the rest.

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2006 CL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2026 Genesis GV70
2007 Tiara 3200

OK... I think I'll be able to play around a little this weekend and crack some lines to start narrowing it down.

Yes, Running WVO. Which is why I suspect the injectors may have gotten a bit clogged, etc, from some polymerized oil.

Bill

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'87 300SDL, intensely modified Greasecar setup, with nickle plated heat exchanger, 3 valve setup, 312,000 miles
'95 Suburban diesel, Greasecar basics, 16 plate heat exchanger, mercedes fuel lines, Racor filter
'85 Renault Alliance converted full electric vehicle

I think your signature could provide a clue to the problem:

Check your compression.

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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