1982 240D - any suggestions?

[scottj]

This great car has been sitting for about a year while I shopped for a new Glow Plug Relay. I have the new relay installed. Of course, the battery is dead.

I tried jump starting it, and although the pre-glow light on the dash does come on, the battery just does not give it enough juice yet to turn it over hard enough. I put in some diesel fuel additive, but I am wondering if there is some stuff I can spray into the carburetor to give the engine that "boost" it needs to get started this first time again?

My 17 year old son loves this car and is looking forward to driving it again! Thanks for any help -

Scott

 

[Tony Browne]

This might help Scott !
Forget the jump leads, take out the old battery and try starting
with a good battery fitted. The jump leads might be takeing the
power from the battery.Use a good high ampere hour battery.

 

[ronaldalfred]

any suggestions

I would agree with Tony use another battery ,I jump started my 85 MB which had been idle for some time and as a result blew the relay for the ABS warning light and that was an MOT failure as the ABS light on the dashboard is supposed to go out a few seconds after the engine starts and mine stayed on.
Ron

 

[TimN]

Sad to say I have just scrapped a 240 TD 1980. Whenever I start a car which has been standing for some time I always remove the plugs. (Glow plugs on a diesel) I put a few drops of 3 in 1 or any lubricant and then turn the car over by hand a few revolutions. I know that petrol deteriorates after a period of time and looses its combustability. I'm not sure about diesel. Whilst the plugs are out it's a good idea to check the compression.

If you are having a problem with the electrical supply then make sure all the connections are clean. Ie battery terminal,, starter motor and the earth strap. I think that the power to the starter solenoid goes through the iginition switch which can cause a voltage drop through age. A battery will die after about 3 months of non use. Always take the battery out and trickle charge it every fortnight to keep it healthy. There are alternatives to the expensive Varta original.

 

[dieselman]

I assume the engine creates some smoke but wont fire! If there is no smoke then there aint no fuel. You could warm the cylinders with a blowlamp pointed into the manifold whilst cranking, alternatively just tow the car up the road. This WILL generate enough heat to fire it up even on a knackered engine

DO NOT USE EASY START ON ANY MB DIESEL. You could blow the pre-combustion chambers out of the head.