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  #1  
Old 12-18-2011, 10:33 AM
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What's it take to start an engine?

I've got a 1983 200D that was running fine a few days ago. I swapped out the glow plug relay and it wouldn't start again. Neither would it start when I put the bad relay back in for kicks. The starter tries and tries, but the engine won't fire up. What can I do?

P.S. this car has some issue with sensing the fuel level. It stalled out on the highway with a quarter tank left and wouldn't start again. I added one gallon of diesel and it started. Immediately filled up and confirmed that it had over 1/4 tank remaining.

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  #2  
Old 12-18-2011, 10:37 AM
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It takes fuel, oxygen, and compression.

You're missing one of those three, consider it used to run recently, and your reported fuel issues my bet is on 'fuel'.

Take a clean jug of diesel and run a hose from it to you IP pump, directly. With the fuel return line going back to jug.
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  #3  
Old 12-18-2011, 11:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post
I It stalled out on the highway with a quarter tank left and wouldn't start again.
That generally happens when you run it out of fuel............they don't like to start without it.

Change both primary and secondary fuel filters and it will probably start.
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  #4  
Old 12-18-2011, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by scottmcphee View Post
It takes fuel, oxygen, and compression.
Take a clean jug of diesel and run a hose from it to you IP pump, directly. With the fuel return line going back to jug.
I have a can of diesel purge and was thinking of doing this today, actually. If that does end up working, what might be wrong? Fuel pump issue? Or maybe the pump just isn't engaging because it doesn't think there's fuel in the tank? I'll check back in this evening once I find out whether the direct supply works.
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  #5  
Old 12-18-2011, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post
I have a can of diesel purge and was thinking of doing this today, actually.
Diesel purge is not going to magically get fuel to the injectors.................
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  #6  
Old 12-18-2011, 11:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post
I have a can of diesel purge and was thinking of doing this today, actually. If that does end up working, what might be wrong? Fuel pump issue? Or maybe the pump just isn't engaging because it doesn't think there's fuel in the tank? I'll check back in this evening once I find out whether the direct supply works.
Your order of probable cause is:

1.) Fuel filters (as BC mentioned)
2.) Plugged or slow in-tank screen. Can be cleaned by blowing out with compressed air, or by pulling the screen from the tank. Or can test by reversing the send and return fuel lines.
3.) Primer pump leaking air.

dd
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2011, 11:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dieseldan44 View Post
Your order of probable cause is:
1.) Fuel filters (as BC mentioned)
I just replaced both before the last drive (two 30-minute trips)

Quote:
2.) Plugged or slow in-tank screen. Can be cleaned by blowing out with compressed air, or by pulling the screen from the tank. Or can test by reversing the send and return fuel lines.
I've got an air compressor, what exactly needs blown? Or how would I go about pulling the screen?

Quote:
3.) Primer pump leaking air.
I would say this isn't unlikely, as it spills diesel like mad if I actually try to use it. But the last time I used it was after changing the filters and the car ran fine since then. I can try replacing it with one off another car, but man are these things difficult to remove!

Thanks!
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Old 12-18-2011, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post
I can try replacing it with one off another car, but man are these things difficult to remove!

Thanks!
Not if you know the trick.............

Remove the hose to the immediate right of the pump and remove the fitting that is attached to the hose. Now you have a straight shot at the pump itself.
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  #9  
Old 12-18-2011, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post

I've got an air compressor, what exactly needs blown? Or how would I go about pulling the screen?

Find the return line under the hood and disconnect it from the hose. Attach the air compressor line to the return line to the tank and send air at about 30 psi to the tank............be sure the fuel cap is removed first.
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Old 12-18-2011, 03:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post


I would say this isn't unlikely, as it spills diesel like mad if I actually try to use it. But the last time I used it was after changing the filters and the car ran fine since then. I can try replacing it with one off another car, but man are these things difficult to remove!

Thanks!
I would not bother trying one from the other car unless it is the new style primer pump. It would be worth your while to just replace the primer pump with a new one (around $20). Call Phil @ Fastlane and order one!
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  #11  
Old 12-18-2011, 03:53 PM
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I ended up parting my last w123 because I got sick of tracking down the air leak...

Goodluck
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  #12  
Old 12-18-2011, 04:25 PM
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Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post
this car has some issue with sensing the fuel level. It stalled out on the highway with a quarter tank left and wouldn't start again. I added one gallon of diesel and it started. Immediately filled up and confirmed that it had over 1/4 tank remaining.
The fuel feed/return hoses are reversed under the hood.


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  #13  
Old 12-18-2011, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by whunter View Post
The fuel feed/return hoses are reversed under the hood.
Really?? I'll have to check that - which one is which? I can compare to another car, but at the moment I only have the 200D and the rest are at my garage which is about 30 minutes away from my house.

Yes, I have the 200D now. I put the car up on a lift and figured I'd check the fuel line at the rear where the filter is. The fuel tank was full and I don't have anything with enough capacity to hold that much diesel so I figured I'd just give it a quick check by loosening it and seeing if fuel came out. Rather a lot of fuel came out unexpectedly and made rather a mess. So I'm guessing no screen issue.

I then bypassed the fuel lines and used a can of diesel purge - when this was connected the engine fired up after maybe 20 seconds of cranking, and then ran fine. I hooked the fuel lines back up and started the engine - it again ran fine. I took it on a test drive for about 20 minutes, came back, stopped, started again, tried a few more times, it started right up every time. So I figured I'd give the gas-guzzling V8 a break and drive the 200D for a while.

However it is bothersome that I don't know why it wasn't starting for a while. Maybe the lines truly are reversed and that would explain it?
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  #14  
Old 12-18-2011, 09:15 PM
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Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptelan View Post
Really?? I'll have to check that - which one is which? I can compare to another car, but at the moment I only have the 200D and the rest are at my garage which is about 30 minutes away from my house.

Yes, I have the 200D now. I put the car up on a lift and figured I'd check the fuel line at the rear where the filter is. The fuel tank was full and I don't have anything with enough capacity to hold that much diesel so I figured I'd just give it a quick check by loosening it and seeing if fuel came out. Rather a lot of fuel came out unexpectedly and made rather a mess. So I'm guessing no screen issue.

I then bypassed the fuel lines and used a can of diesel purge - when this was connected the engine fired up after maybe 20 seconds of cranking, and then ran fine. I hooked the fuel lines back up and started the engine - it again ran fine. I took it on a test drive for about 20 minutes, came back, stopped, started again, tried a few more times, it started right up every time. So I figured I'd give the gas-guzzling V8 a break and drive the 200D for a while.

However it is bothersome that I don't know why it wasn't starting for a while. Maybe the lines truly are reversed and that would explain it?
They are reversed at the two steel body mounted fuel lines on the inner fender well.

The return tube in the fuel tank typically only goes down 3/4 of the fuel tank depth.
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  #15  
Old 12-18-2011, 09:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whunter View Post
They are reversed at the two steel body mounted fuel lines on the inner fender well.

The return tube in the fuel tank typically only goes down 3/4 of the fuel tank depth.
Can you confirm which one is supposed to be which, when I'm looking under the hood?

Or can they be reversed back near the gas tank underneath?

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