300sd fuel leak and car won't start
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Joined: Aug 2012
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300sd fuel leak and car won't start
Disclaimer... usually my ex took care of car issues and now I'm on my own... I know a little but not a lot so please explain things very simply... no jargon. Thank you! 
This is 1984 300sd. I have a fuel leak at the primary fuel filter. I thought it was the hose so I changed that and I changed the fuel filter while I was at it. Filled the new filter up with ATF per the parts guy's instructions before putting it on. Started the car just fine and noticed that the fuel leak is actually coming from the bolt that holds the filter on. It needs new seals... anyhow, I didn't have time to take care of that yesterday so drove the car home and parked it last night.
This morning I went to start it and no luck. I'm guessing there is an air bubble from the fuel leak. I opened up the manual pump to prime the system but when I pumped it fuel came pouring out.
How do I get my car started??? Thank you in advance!!!
This is 1984 300sd. I have a fuel leak at the primary fuel filter. I thought it was the hose so I changed that and I changed the fuel filter while I was at it. Filled the new filter up with ATF per the parts guy's instructions before putting it on. Started the car just fine and noticed that the fuel leak is actually coming from the bolt that holds the filter on. It needs new seals... anyhow, I didn't have time to take care of that yesterday so drove the car home and parked it last night.
This morning I went to start it and no luck. I'm guessing there is an air bubble from the fuel leak. I opened up the manual pump to prime the system but when I pumped it fuel came pouring out.
How do I get my car started??? Thank you in advance!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Instal a new seal before doing anything else. If you have the equipment/ material try making/cutting one yourself to get you to town.
With the new seal on you will then need to prime the system probably by pumping the prime pump & cranking at the same time. Some one else may be more specific.
It may be time to find a good independent diesel mechanic.
Good luck
With the new seal on you will then need to prime the system probably by pumping the prime pump & cranking at the same time. Some one else may be more specific.
It may be time to find a good independent diesel mechanic.
Good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
2006 E320CDI
Instal a new seal before doing anything else. If you have the equipment/ material try making/cutting one yourself to get you to town.
With the new seal on you will then need to prime the system probably by pumping the prime pump & cranking at the same time. Some one else may be more specific.
It may be time to find a good independent diesel mechanic.
Good luck
With the new seal on you will then need to prime the system probably by pumping the prime pump & cranking at the same time. Some one else may be more specific.
It may be time to find a good independent diesel mechanic.
Good luck
Hope this helps.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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Update... replaced the seals and there is no longer a fuel leak. I also replaced the manual fuel pump (with some help). After all that was done the car still wouldn't start and the glow plug light wasn't coming on. So we checked the voltage at the glow plugs and there was no power going to them. There was power getting through the fuse in the relay though. My friend cleaned the connections at the relay (they had diesel fuel in them) and it started right up. Yay!!!
Unfortunately, this morning I went to start my car again and the glow plug light didn't come on. No luck starting. I tried cleaning the connectors again but it didn't help. Should I change the glow plug relay box??? I think it's kind of expensive so don't want to do that unnecessarily. :P
Unfortunately, this morning I went to start my car again and the glow plug light didn't come on. No luck starting. I tried cleaning the connectors again but it didn't help. Should I change the glow plug relay box??? I think it's kind of expensive so don't want to do that unnecessarily. :P
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Try some electric cleaner spray similar to this on the connectors & anywhere else around the relay. Give it a good wash down then leave it to dry. http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NA1004
