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How to start a diesel
I've been given a 300D (think its a 83) that has been sitting for a few years. What would I need to do to get it running? I also noticed the glow plugs are the "old style" they have that curly wire going to each one.
I figure since the cars for free,it's worth a shot to get it going. Any info would be great! Thank you John |
Wrong forum section, Buuuut. Have someone hold the stop lever. Crank the engine until you get oil pressure. also check the oil first coolant levels etc. if it starts, then worry about upgrading glow plugs etc.
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What section should he have post in?
Check the oil level and all other fluid levels before you start. Remember it is cold and very drained so bottom of the ok range is good enough. Once the oil warms up it will come up a bit. If there is a block heater plug sticking out and you have electricity available, plug it in. If the heater is working and it is dark enough you can usually see a spark when you unplug it. You might also be able to hear a sizzle sound coming from the engine once it gets going. By far the best way to check is with a "Kill-A-Watt". http://www.p3international.com/products/p4460.html I definately second the recommendation to have someone hold the stop lever and crank to get the oil pressure up. -Jim |
Hmmm.....if it has the old style glow plugs it probably is not an '83 or somone switched out the glow plugs or swapped engines.. Is it equipped with a turbo? I believe that 1980 was the change over to pencil style GPs.
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With the squiggly GP wires, if one GP is out, they are all out. like the old Christmas tree lights use to be.
I haven`t delt with this type, just what I read. and with squiggly wires, it is not a 83. 79 or older. look on the drivers door post at the ID plate. My 80 240D has the pencil type gp, so think it is the first yr for this. Being in NY, I suppose it is still cold there, and these old diesels are hard to start. so you will need to heat the cylinders before it will start, and a good healthy battery. You need 3 things to get a diesel started. Heat, fuel and compression. DO NOT use Ether, but you can use WD-40 as a starting aid. Not knowing the condition of the fuel lines or fuel. maybe use a container under the hood connected to the supply line going to the feed pump. that would be the line with the small fuel filter. Definately check the oil and coolant, and look into the air filter housing for any rodent nests or??? Charlie |
I would pull the valve cover and spritz the cam with oil before you crank
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Thank you for all your suggestions...I did check to see if there was oil (it was full) also checked the inside of the valve cover to see if there was rust on the cam (clean as a whistle)..
I'd like to ask...when you spoke about the STOP handle...do you mean hold it in the up position? I would think holding it down would prevent the car from starting.. Also the suggestion about starting fluid or either..which one and where would I use it? Thanks again |
The idea is to stop the car from starting -- at first -- so it can build up oil pressure and get everything lubricated before the engine fires.
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Starting fluid and either is the same thing. Do not use it.
The red stop lever, push it towards the valve cover. Charlie |
I'd read all the links in Whunter's post. it'll help you immeasurably with learning the car.
take your volt meter and put it on the closest glow plug to the radiator and to the bolt with the braided wire on it, and measure volts with the key just turned on. if it's 0, keep the braided lead there, and move the hot lead closer to the firewall. when you find volts, you've just passed the burned plug. remove it, and replace. if you make it all the way to the last plug before you get volts, test the squiggly line for power. if it's got none, then the last plug (first in the circuit) is bad. IIWM (If It Were Me) I'd pull them all and upgrade to the pencil plugs. much faster, and if one goes out, the others still get power. http://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedesdieselloopglowplugrepair.htm also, if it's been sitting for a while, the fuel could be dry at the injection pump, or injectors. loosen all nuts on the fuel lines, and crank over look for fuel to seep out. if it's just air, stop, and pump the bleed pump handle below the fuel filter. when it's solid fuel you can crank again and wait for all the air to bleed out of the lines. |
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