W124.128 300D 2.5turbo nonstarter. Help needed in Ann Arbor. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pwogaman · #1 12-16-2014, 03:40 PM

I'm stuck again with addressing my son's 1990 300D 2.5T. He is a new member here now, btw. His car is the same one where I changed the transmission in the University of Michigan parking lot last spring(http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/353936-unfortunately-not-should-i-say-b2.html) and he burst a fuel line this Fall (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/362093-help-needs-om602-962-4-fuel-line-asap-ann-arbor-mi.html). This time around he is unable to get it started. AAA jump didn't work either.

The stop lever is pulling back up when he cranks, so the vacuum stop feature on the injector pump and the vacuum pump appear to be working.

He is not getting a glow plug light. The car cranks, but no combusion. It sounds like at least a glow plug is out, but at least it should start with trouble with 4 glow plugs working.

I talked him through checking the glow-plug relay strip fuse which he described it as heat deformed, but intact. I think we're pushing the limits to talk him through checking each glow plug for continuity to see if, or how many, glow plugs are out, particularly given he does not have a tester. He is pressed for time to get back to Northern Virginia, hopefully by tomorrow, and then after that for the rest of Winter break.

Are you aware of anybody in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area who knows the OM602 that can help getting him started? Please let either me or him know (jpwogaman).

CarpeDiem51392 · #2 12-16-2014, 04:03 PM

Does the car have a block heater?

pwogaman · #3 12-16-2014, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarpeDiem51392

Does the car have a block heater?

It does, but will need to move it to get it to electricity. Good thought.

Quahog · #4 12-16-2014, 04:12 PM

call a local contractor or mobile welder w/generator?

could charge battery & block heat @ same time

they might even have a plumbers torch to heat intake (carefully)

good luck

shertex · #5 12-16-2014, 04:30 PM

FWIW I was amazed how quickly my 92 went from hard to start to unable to start last winter....several (all?) plugs went bad in a short period of time.

pwogaman · #6 12-16-2014, 04:39 PM

Good News! He had a local shop work on it. They were able to given enough boost to get it going. They will keep it in-doors with the block heater going overnight. Once he leaves for home in the morning he should be able to get here with only short fuel stops that do not allow for the engine to cool.

I will be able to get a proper diagnosis once he gets home.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and contributions.

engatwork · #7 12-16-2014, 08:09 PM

How cold is it?

Should just need some new glow plugs.

sixto · #8 12-16-2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

How cold is it?

It's so cold... Diesels won't start without glowing

You should be able to swap relays with another 2.5 or even a 603 for a quick test.

Sixto
MB-less

pwogaman · #9 12-16-2014, 09:24 PM

I'm hoping it's simple; we'll find out in a couple days.

vstech · #10 12-16-2014, 09:58 PM

My 93 didn't have a glow plug fuse, the relay had a breaker built in... I understand a 400 watt inverter with a battery box will power the block heater for two hours, long enough to get enough heat into the block for starting.
Wallyworld has a $99 1200amp jump box with built in inverter, light, and air compressor...

I'm just sayin

pwogaman · #11 12-20-2014, 12:09 PM

I found #s 2, 4, & 5 glow plugs are bad. I think this is a good opportunity just pull the intake manifold and swap them all out and also set the fuel lines properly while I'm at it.