W123, SVO/WVO parts

1983 Mercedes 300D-T not starting

My car will no longer start. For a while when I turned the ignition key, I had to wait between 2-5 secs for the engine to start. Now, the starter is turning over, but other than that--nothing. The glow plugs seem to be good (I tested them at the relay without removing); the battery reads 12.3V (I know this is on the low side, but even with the car jumped by my other working vehicle, the car still won't start); and I just changed the fuel filter (I've been running biodiesel for 11 months and have changed the fuel filter 4 times since then) thinking this might be the issue. Still, nothing....

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Diesel Engine Specific Aid

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Chassis Model Number

W123

Diagnosing a worn out diesel

Hello, I have excessive oil blow by comming out the breather tube, so much so , that my air filter is about 35% covered in oil. I also have a distinct metal knowcking noise at idle speeds, seems to be comming from the front of engine but cant be sure. I read your " why does my diesel leak" manual and it said something about a cam going bad...how do you check this? I have done my valves( also with your cool tools- excellent!) and forgot to check the cam, and Im not sure what to look for. Also how do you check the timing chain? Thanks in advance James

Chassis Model Number

W123

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Diesel Engine Specific Aid

instrument needles jumpy

Hi, I have a 1982 300TD. I am experiencing some strange instrument cluster behavior and I'm wondering if someone might chime in on how to fix it. I've removed the cluster a few times to make sure that all connections are sound and as far as I can tell, they are. Quite randomly, the fuel gauge and the temperature gauge start to jump a bit. If I switch the headlights on, the fuel and temperature needles get more jumpy, the buzzer goes on and off and the instrument cluster light turns off. The pressure gauge and others work as expected though I have to use a flashlight to see it. Thanks!

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Body and Interior Specific Aid

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Chassis Model Number

W123

82 240D will not start when warm

I have an 82 240D with >217,000 mi. This summer it started not wanting to start once it reached operating temperature. It seems like it is getting air in the lines, but if you let it cool down then it will start again. I replaced the flex fuel line from the tank and the one under the hood on the suction side. I then bought why my diesel will not start, lots of info, nothing specific to hot starting problems. I have since put in a used tubo starter and a new timing chain. The engine turns over faster and has more pep but still refuses to start when warm.

Chassis Model Number

W123

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Diesel Engine Specific Aid

Fuel Filter Replacemnent and other Difficulties- Be Prepared!

When my '82 300DT lost power on the freeway I managed to nurse it to my destination and got out my fuel spare filters. I installed a new prefilter and main filter, bypassed the FM10 water separator, pumped on the hand pump, and then found that the lack of a 17mm end wrench made bleeding the lines at the injectors real difficult as all I had was an adjustable wrench. Too bulky for that job. Then I screwed up by not reading Kent's instructions carefully and ran my battery down before the fuel lines were bled enough to get the engine going.

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Diesel Engine Specific Aid

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Chassis Model Number

W123

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