Won't start - now what did I do? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tankowner · #1 08-17-2009, 01:38 AM

Alright, so I wanted to knock out a bunch of little things on the 240D. Last weekend I changes the main motor mounts and started it up after that - sounded much better with the new mounts and seemed to run just fine - still a little rough, but haven't even made it to the valve adjustment yet.

This weekend I changed out the anti-vibration T-mount located behind the oil pan. Also replaced the oil pan gasket. Changed out the oil and the filter in the process. I also took off the air cleaner assembly, cleaned it, and splapped in a new air filter.

Finally, I changed out the in-line and main fuel filters. In the process I replaced one of the two o-rings on the main bolt that holds the spin-on filter (the smaller and lower of the two o-rings). Afterwards, I craked the bleeder nut and primed the filter with fuel until fuel ran out of the bleeder - then I tightened it back up.

After all of that, I hopped in to start her up. First try - she coughed a little but started up - ran for about 5-10 seconds and then slowly started to die off until the engine quit. Now I can't get her to start at all. If I crank on it for a while it will eventually get up to the point where it almost wants to start but never quite does. I have probably tried to start it 5 more times, but don't want to kill the starter in the process.

I have tried retracing my steps, but I can't seem to find anything. What did I do here? She didn't run the greatest, but has always started prior to this round of work. Thoughts?

tankowner · #2 08-17-2009, 02:29 AM

Okay, after the previous message I went out and gave it another try. I had to crank for a little while, but I finally got it to start up. At first I had to keep the accelerator depressed just to keep it from stalling out again, but after a minute or so I was able to slowly back my foot off and it seemed to idle fine. I'm guessing I just had some residual air in the lines - I dunno?

Anyway, I let her run for a few minutes and then shut her down. I didn't bother trying again after that because it is late and I doubt my new neighbors love hearing me rev the diesel engine at 1:00 A.M.

Having said all that, let me ask another question. The 240D has the idle contol knob on the dash, this is new to me, so what do I need to know about this. As it is right now, I keep it turned all the way to the left (counterclockwise), if I start turning it clockwise the engine starts to stumble but won't die even if I turn it the whole way. Incidentally, to use the manual stop lever, I have to turn the idle control knob clockwise (slow the idle) and then lean on the lever to get it to shut off. (I can't kill the engine with the lever if the knob is turned all the way to the left).

Does this sound normal???

moon161 · #3 08-17-2009, 08:23 AM

Regarding the first question, I would bleed the hard lines to make sure no air is left. One at a time while cranking or running, crack the nut holding the hard line on the injector till fuel with no bubbles bleeds out, then tighten it & proceed to the next one.

kerry · #4 08-17-2009, 09:12 AM

I believe the behavior of the stop lever is normal since the idle control knob is pulling on the linkage.

tankowner · #5 08-17-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon161

Regarding the first question, I would bleed the hard lines to make sure no air is left. One at a time while cranking or running, crack the nut holding the hard line on the injector till fuel with no bubbles bleeds out, then tighten it & proceed to the next one.

Okay, thanks. I will give that a try too.

tankowner · #6 08-17-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I believe the behavior of the stop lever is normal since the idle control knob is pulling on the linkage.

Okay, thanks. I just don't know exactly how the linkage was set up from the factory - if the manual shut off should kill the engine at any setting of the idle control knob, or if you usually have to adjust the idle down and then push the lever.