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1985 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel cranks but won't start

9 messages,  Last post on Oct 10, 2009 at 1:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz 300-Class, Engine, Diesel, Sedan

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#1 of 9 1985 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel cranks but won't start by dyllan Feb 12, 2008 (1:19 pm)
I have a 1985 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel with about 140,000 miles on it. Recently it's become increasingly difficult to start, until eventually it wouldn't start at all. It still turns over fine - I can hear the starter turning the engine (at least until I wear the battery down by trying to start it). For a while I could get it to start if I was persistent enough, but now it simply will not start.   I think the problem is my own fault. Here's the history.   This car had been modified slightly. The stock air filter had been replaced with a cone filter. I neglected to check the air filter for some time, and discovered that the top plastic part had cracked open. Since the filter was obviously useless, I tried to replace it, only to find no local store carried the right size cone filter. I found them on eBay, but while I was waiting for the auction to end and the filter to be shipped to me, I drove the car without a filter. I'm certain this led to the problem.   The filter connects to a very short rubber tube that connects to the air intake on the turbo. When I was having trouble starting the car, I tried spraying some starter fluid into that tube. The result was that the car actually had more trouble starting directly after I sprayed starter fluid. And it seemed the more I used, the worse it started.   Any suggestions?   -Dyllan Replies to this message: chrishurley (Feb 25, 2008 8:32 am) manny16 (Jul 11, 2008 9:13 am) laci73 (Jul 19, 2008 11:21 am) joe3716 (Oct 16, 2008 2:13 pm)
#2 of 9 Re: 1985 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel cranks but won't start [dyllan] by chrishurley Feb 25, 2008 (8:32 am)
Replying to: dyllan (Feb 12, 2008 1:19 pm) I own a diesel,but not a MB, however they are all the same. With diesels it always come down to three things, well maybe 99% of the time. Either a broken ground somewhere, bad fuel, not enough air. I would take a look at the generator and see if it is functioning properly. Replies to this message: manny16 (Jul 11, 2008 9:13 am)
#3 of 9 Re: 1985 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel cranks but won't start [chrishurley] by manny16 Jul 11, 2008 (9:13 am)
Replying to: chrishurley (Feb 25, 2008 8:32 am) hi your problem can range from simple to comlicated solutions. the simplest have the heater plugs and heater relays checked. it should be working properly. check the inteke impeller of the turbo it maybe damaged since you used the car without aircleaner. have the mechanical injection pump checked out since it is an old car. lastly if your engine is consuming oil a very expensive engine rebuilding is needed. i used to own a 240d and i rebuilt the engine. now i own a 300sd turbo 85. liked the sd better coz its a lot faster and exeptional built quality. no major problems so far.
#4 of 9 Re: 1985 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel cranks but won't start [dyllan] by laci73 Jul 19, 2008 (11:21 am)
Replying to: dyllan (Feb 12, 2008 1:19 pm) Hi.....diesels....if your starter turns, but no fire, you may have an air into fuel line, after a years rubber pieces may cause a leeks, so you do not loose your fuel, but you can smell it. ones there is an air into a fuel house, engine does not start.   Glow plugs.....always check your glow plugs before winter. Pull them out, conect them back as they were inside the engine, make sure they have good ground. Than turn ignition and look at the plugs.be very carefull...they get red hot!!!! they have to start turn red at the end, and then warming up whole body. If they turn hot at midle or somewhere else..they are faulty...replace the faulty ones.   fuel filter drain or replace before winter.   check your battery and starter....those 2 things very important for winter.   ones your engine turns, and white smoke comes off your mufler, you have a lot of vater into a fuel....drain the filter, fill tank with fresh fuel   blue smoke means worn engine....have to be rebuilt= expensive black smoke....your injectors or injector pump need set up ones your battery is dead, you still can start a diesel drivin down a hill, put it into a 3or 4 gear ang slightly release the clutch...it will start. Engines with rubber timing belts might damage, if the belt is worn. Replies to this message: joe3716 (Oct 16, 2008 2:13 pm)
#5 of 9 Re: 1985 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel cranks but won't start [laci73] by joe3716 Oct 16, 2008 (2:13 pm)
Replying to: laci73 (Jul 19, 2008 11:21 am) My 1983 300 Turbodiesel came to a stall this morning after a few jerking moves. The starter cranking was ok but the engine won't start. Checking fuel lines found the fuel plunger pump was totally loose - most likely from the engine vibration. Tightening the plunger pump didn't help till i plunge the pump a few times to get fuel into the engine. Retightened the plunger, flicked the starter and the engine comes back to life and runs ever so smoothly. Diesel engines have very strong vibrations and the fuel plunger pump (a plastic piece close to the fuel filter) are bound to come loose over time. Good to check it for tightness from time to time. Hope this helps. Good luck.
#6 of 9 85’ 300 series turbo diesel.cranks but will not start by peter64 Feb 24, 2009 (7:03 pm)
I pulled the line off of the lift (primer pump) and got fuel pulsing out when I turn the starter but don't know if the pressure is enough. Does anyone know what that pressure should be and if I have fuel coming out does it mean the injector pump is not working? What would my next test step be? Do I pull an injector line off and check for fuel? The glow plugs are working.   Any suggestions would be appreciated. It seams to fire off a little but not enough to start.   Thanks, Tech6 Replies to this message: brakeengr (Feb 26, 2009 6:57 am)
#7 of 9 Re: 85’ 300 series turbo diesel.cranks but will not start [peter64] by brakeengr Feb 26, 2009 (6:57 am)
Replying to: peter64 (Feb 24, 2009 7:03 pm) you have air in the system. Loosen the main fuel filter a little bit (the big round one). Manually prime the pump until fuel comes out from the top of the fuel filter near the bolt. To prime the pump just unscrew the plastic plunger and prime it a few times- you should see fuel coming out from the main filter. Then tighten the main filter again, prime a few more times, tighten the plastic plunger tight again, and it should start
#8 of 9 300SD hard to start after driving by lovemy300sd Jun 17, 2009 (12:32 pm)
I have a 1984 Mercedes 300SD Turbo Diesel with about 195,000 miles on it. when i start the car in the morning doesn't give me problems. but when i stop the car after driving it .. it gets really hard to start again. do you guys know what could be the problem.. Replies to this message: rpbuice (Oct 10, 2009 1:34 am)
#9 of 9 Re: 300SD hard to start after driving [lovemy300sd] by rpbuice Oct 10, 2009 (1:34 am)
Replying to: lovemy300sd (Jun 17, 2009 12:32 pm) I have a 2003 Silverado 2500 duramax with the same problem. Let me know if you get any ideas on what this could be.

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