Changed fuel filter , now won't start! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BLACKCDI · #1 11-06-2008, 03:26 PM

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 · #2 11-06-2008, 03:59 PM

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

vwbuge · #3 11-06-2008, 04:04 PM

Did you prime the system?

awsrock · #4 11-06-2008, 04:09 PM

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 · #5 11-06-2008, 04:33 PM

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 · #6 11-06-2008, 05:35 PM

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

mistergood · #7 11-06-2008, 04:06 PM

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.

cnev300d · #8 11-06-2008, 07:29 PM

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 · #9 11-06-2008, 07:41 PM

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 · #10 11-06-2008, 07:45 PM

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 · #11 11-06-2008, 10:51 PM

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.

BLACKCDI · #12 11-06-2008, 11:01 PM

I hope not

On my way home I will pick up a quart of some cheap ATF to put into a spin on. Cranking this much just hurts me!
Stupid manual, "crank a minute at a time with the foot on the accelerator"

Hatterasguy · #13 11-06-2008, 11:05 PM

I have done it before, just keep cranking it. Let it rest every 30 seconds or so. My 603 with empty fuel filters will just start on one charge of a good battery, but just is the key word. Surprisingly the starter doesn't really get hot, since it was built for that.

BLACKCDI · #14 11-07-2008, 02:17 AM

Got home with a quart of ATF, opened up the spin on filter, it's full!
Put it back on, tried to crank again for about 10 sec. nothing.
Opened up one of the lines to the injectors(the closest one to the fan, and cranked it for another 10 sec, no fuel coming out). Lots of smoke from leaking accordion crossover... Dead battery...
Kind of pissed off

Put the battery on charge, will try again tomorrow...
should I open all the lines to injectors?

The primary filter looks half full. air bubble on top.
Another thing, the glow plug light does not come on, don't know if it's the bulb or something more serious!
I am getting tired with this car, and I just got it!

curtludwig · #15 11-08-2008, 09:02 AM

Its also a good idea to have the engine warm when you're doing this so the car would start easy anyway.

I have a warm engine, pull the old filter, fill with new filter with "diesel Kleen", install. Crank with the go pedal about halfway down. When the engine starts (it should start easy since theres still some fuel in the IP) keep the rpms UP to make sure it stays running when it inevitably stumbles. The stumbling will usually even out in a second. I still keep the rpms up (maybe 1500 rpm) for another 30-40 seconds just in case.

I usually do the little see through filter first, run the engine a minute and then change the cannister, that way I'm not dealing with air from both at the same time.