ACH...no start...'bout to leave on trip!
 

Hi,

I got the oil changed, oil filter, air filter yesterday..car ran fine. This morning it was about 3 degrees when I changed the two fuel filters...the inline (pretty sure it is the right direction, 90deg bend closest to engine - only way it would fit?) and the spin on, filled it with diesel treatment before screwing it back on. Hopped in the car, turned key...waited for solid glowplug light to go off, quick crank, waited for flashing glow plug to go off...and then tried to start. It turned, didn't start...pumped the pedal while turning didn't start...tried til the battery died. Put battery on quick charger, waited 30 min, tried again...same thing. Checked everything, all looked ok? Put battery back on charger...and now I am just waiting...it is maybe 5 degrees F now....

Did I do something wrong?

Thanks,
-Kurt

1980 240d (gotta leave by 1ish!!!)

Use the hand pump on the IP to get some fuel into the system.

And then, after pumping the hand pump until you hear hissing at the main fuel filter, screw the handpump into place.

Then, loosen all four injector lines at the injectors with a 17MM open end. Loosen them one turn. Then have someone crank the engine while you watch the lines. Once you see two of them with fuel dribbling, have your helper stop cranking. Tighten those two lines. Then have the helper crank until one of the other two show fuel dribbling. Have the helper stop cranking. Tighten up the remaining injector lines. Glow plug the engine and it should start.

Good luck,

had the same trouble
 

I hadthe same trouble last month. I have been changing the fuel filters in my 1983 300SD since 1988 and had no problem. The last time I could not get the car started. With the help of this forum I was able to determine hat I needed a new hand punp (mine was leaking). Had alot of air in the line and after following the guidence of the members of the frum (and 4 battery charges) it worked. Takes alot of cranking a real pain.

I learned the hard way it's better to change your fuel filters with a warm engine. It's just easier to get it going again if you don't manage to get 100% of the air out.

Update
 

Hi,

I cracked the lines and bled them, I had to do it a lone, all of the injectors were wet after a bit of cranking. Tighten two, cranked, tighten the last two...tried to start...nothing, just draining the battery over and over again. I have a new hand pump here, but I can't get the old one off! I was supposed to be on the road 34 min ago..this sucks.

Thanks,
-Kurt

If all the injectors were wet, then you shouldn't need the new hand pump to get it going.

Have you checked your glow plugs for voltage? I fully expect that you will have to get it to glow to get it going.

Best of luck,

Kurt,

I reread your original post and noted you said the glow plug light blinks. I have never known one of my cars to have a blinking glow plug light when the plug operation was normal. When the indicator lamp on the dash lights up, it stays on until the glow plug control circuit determines the plugs are glowing, then it goes out. It stays out unless I recycle the key and start another glow cycle.

If you have to get it going, push/pull start it. If it is a manual transmission car it will be no problem, if it is an automatic, read your owner's manual for the procedure. Someone recently reported their experience pulling their Diesel automatic in a thread. Sounds like it was relatively easy. I know it is the most bulletproof way to get a manual Diesel started when you are having other system problems.

Overall I think the blinking light is a message something is amiss. With my 1982 240D if the light fails to light up, and I recycle the key, it is an indication one plug is not working. Good luck, and I hope this helps. Jim

Kurt

Good luck on getting going. If you have to remove the old priming pump a faucet wrench is what I use.