stranded! desperately need some diesel advice - Benzworld.org

juxtamit · 12-25-2006, 06:55 PM

i have a 80 300sd. i'm stuck outside Kansas City and my whip wont start. ive had this problem before during cold weather, as in whenever it drops below 40 degrees. last time i consider it my fault because i had little gas in the tank and water may have condensated, but later in the day after it warmed up it started with no problems. this time i took precaution because i was going to be on the road. i used diesel additive, and made sure i had a full tank of fuel before i let her cool down, but my efforts where futile

i tried to warm up the engine compartment with a 100W light bulb because thats all i have available, even more embarrasing we have no extension cords to get to my car so X-mas lights had to do. still no start after all day.

could old glow plugs be my problem? i was told by a diesel mechanic that i should never have to change 'em. maybe hes full of it

i've worked on cars most of my life, but this is my 1st diesel not to mention my 1st benz. any advice will be greatly appritiated.

123euroowner · 12-25-2006, 07:03 PM

It will probably need a set of glow plugs...i think they run from 10-13$ a peice, but they last a year or better. Change them, there probably toast.... Maybe at the next fill up, throw some conditioner in the fuel and check/change the filters

juxtamit · 12-25-2006, 07:15 PM

tomorrow we will know, i know for a fact the glow plugs havent been changed for at the very least a year. i changed all my filters (trani excluded) before i headed out on this trip, it has to be glow plugs

mybenz123 · 12-25-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juxtamit

i have a 80 300sd. i'm stuck outside Kansas City and my whip wont start. ive had this problem before during cold weather, as in whenever it drops below 40 degrees. last time i consider it my fault because i had little gas in the tank and water may have condensated, but later in the day after it warmed up it started with no problems. this time i took precaution because i was going to be on the road. i used diesel additive, and made sure i had a full tank of fuel before i let her cool down, but my efforts where futile

i tried to warm up the engine compartment with a 100W light bulb because thats all i have available, even more embarrasing we have no extension cords to get to my car so X-mas lights had to do. still no start after all day.

could old glow plugs be my problem? i was told by a diesel mechanic that i should never have to change 'em. maybe hes full of it

i've worked on cars most of my life, but this is my 1st diesel not to mention my 1st benz. any advice will be greatly appritiated.

When was the last time the valves where adjusted?
They need to be done once a year and wil aid in starting.
Also a good set of glow plugs are essential.

BTW, glow plugs should last longer than a year.

Louis.

123euroowner · 12-25-2006, 07:47 PM

To get it started in a perdicament the plugs are shot..Its plausable to use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the intake....it will make starting a little easier especially in cold weather by putting warm air into the prechambers

juxtamit · 12-26-2006, 01:42 PM

Glow Plugs are installed, i had two different types and all were heavily encrusted with carbon deposits, now they are all pencil types.
Still not starting though, i got hold of a heat gun and heated up the intake also. It seems as if i have water in the tank again 'cause after a bit it sounded like it was trying to start, but then my battery died. I have a portable jumper but that died too. as of now i'm recharging the jump box and keeping the intake warm with the heat gun. I cant wait to get back down south.

I also checked my glow plug fuse and it still had continuity (i used a multi meter)
I did notice my glow plug wire insulation was brital and cracking. Does anyone know what voltage i should read at the glow plug? Unless told other wise i'm going to assume 12V.

i know i have air
Fuel, there is still a question as to whether i have contaminaited fuel or not
Fire, I'm 95% sure that my glow plugs are opperable now

Ether · 12-26-2006, 08:49 PM

Better check to see if you have voltage on the glow plugs when the relay is engaged. (If it is engaged) You will read something less that 12 volts if the plugs are working properly and pulling current. 10.5 to 11 volts isn't out of the question. A good fuse doesn't necessarily mean a good glow plug relay.

Also, in a pinch you can make up a harness with some alligator clips and 10 to 12 gauge wire that you can use to get those glow plugs warm straight from the battery if indeed the relay is bad.

4benzes · 12-27-2006, 05:06 AM

I had the same problem with my 1980 SD. Make sure you get the valves adjusted. This should get you going.

peoples28 · 12-27-2006, 09:42 PM

Good luck getting that old thing started. I used to have an 80 300cd. If my memory serves me correctly those two cars come with the new fast glow system that allows the prechamber to be warmed up a lot quicker, like 20-30 secs instead of 45-3 mins. If you look on the inside of the hood on the drivers side there should be a box which controls the fast glow system, a lot of thick wires coming or going to it. Little black box on the side of the fender wall. that could be your problem right there, i had to change mine.

Good luck man, keep her running, its one of the best cars they ever made in my opinion