Changed fuel filter , now won't start!

[BLACKCDI]

Among the many other things I also changed the primary and main fuel filters on my 1987 300D. I just ran down the battery trying to start it!
Is this normal? What a pain in the ass...
I had the accelerator pressed all the way down and cranking it for about 15 sec each time. Not even a hint of anything.
I am recharging the battery
The car is on ramps, and I can see the fuel in the primary filter..any trick to getting it started?
Thanks!

[300sdToronto]

Did you fill the secondary (spin on) filter with diesel or ATF before installing it?

[vwbuge]

Did you prime the system?

[mistergood]

I am not too sure about the 87 model, but on my 81 300CD it took quite a bit of pumping on the primer pump to get the system filled with fuel so I could start it. When I first put on my new filters, I pumped it a few times, started it up and it died about 2 secs later, then after countless pumps, it was finally ready to start up and get a move on.

[awsrock]

Make sure that you filled the spin on filter as much as you could. If not, take it off (or at least take out the bolt and pour it in that way) and make sure it is full.
Then, which some might say isn't necessary but it's easy and helped me, unscrew 1 or 2 injector lines at the injector, and crank a little bit, then go check if fuel has come out. Once you see some fuel, screw them back on and do the same with one or two more. By this point it should start right up, if not after at least 10 cranks.
IIRC, the lines come off with a 12mm wrench, but I could be wrong.
Good luck! My first time was a PITA too

[BLACKCDI]

Thanks for the responces guys, I have not filled the spin on filter with diesel. I will do that before I begin cranking again!
Man, on my CDI all I had to do is hold a key in 3 position for 5 sec
I also have some smoke coming from the passanger side of the engine while cranking, I think it's a cross over from the turbo(I replaced the turbo).
Don't think there is any other place the smoke can be coming out of...

[bob_98sr5]

black,

iirc, the procedure after changing both the main and smaller 2ndary fuel filters is NOT to fill up both w/ diesel. i just changed both mine last weekend and it does take about 1 to 2 minutes of total cranking time to prime the system. so what i did was cranked it for about 20 seconds at a time x 5 times. it eventually fires up.

edit: no need to have your foot on the pedal and on the ramps. just bring it back on level ground and crank intermittently so as to not wear your starter.

bob

[a2t]

IDK about that, Ive tried to change fuel filter without filling it back up and it resulted in 30 min of cranking!

Filled it up and it fired off in a min. Any air in the IP will result in hard starting, best to fill.

Dont run that starter for longer than 10 sec. Replacing the starter is a royal pain and you will kill it with lots of cranking. Unfortunately, MB saw fit to delete the hand primer on OM603 opting instead for long cranking of pricey and difficult to replace starter. Im sure they saved a few pennies though, if that makes you feel better

[bob_98sr5]

the other thing I did to bleed out any residual air was to crack open the nut at the top of the injector return lines---just barely a crack. something i read here and it did quiet down the hard knocking. but just barely crack open a nut line to the point where you see the fuel coming out, but not spraying out

[vwbuge]

Don't you guys have primer pumps?

[BLACKCDI]

Originally Posted by vwbuge

Don't you guys have primer pumps?

Nope, "equipped with the automatic bleeding system"
Not really automatic as you can tell

[cnev300d]

Guys,

I ran out of fuel on the road with my 300sdl once. I have to say that that will be my last time as it's a pain to get it started again. The tow truck won't even attempt to start it for you. Besides they don't carry diesel fuel with them.

So here's the lesson...don't ever run out of fuel on the road!

Oh and here's the suggestion. Since these newer models do not come with a primer pump, you'd have to crank and crank like you all do. So what I have done is install an in line fuel pump for about 50$. I just wire it up to a switch and problem solved. I have the pump off during normal operations. Better than paying a few hundred for a starter and draining the battery.

[BLACKCDI]

I'll get home today and will try it again with diesel in the filter, some of you suggested ATF, dioes it fire up better with the atf? Or is it just an alternative to getting the diesel out of the tank?

[Cr from Texas]

I've always used ATF just because it was easy and I think it may have some additional benefits.
Mine has always started right up.

[Hatterasguy]

You didn't fill the spin on, your screwed now. Take it off and fill it. Put a charger on the battery and crank away.

Air locked 603's suck to start. Self priming my ass.