E300 Diesel starting problems

[paule53]

I recently bought a 1996 E300 which I have had serviced. It is now regularly difficult to start and when eventually it gets going it's with a large puff of 'smoke'. This mostly happens when the car has not been used for a few days. Is this down to the diesel pump or something else? There appears to be a smell of diesel in the boot too.

Also, it is very sluggish in acceleration.

 

[Bolide]

I assume the car is a 1996 E300 Diesel W210 saloon. The earlier W124s sometimes suffered from air leaks in the fuel system which make the car incredibly difficult to start. Do a search on this forum for air leaks and see if this applies to you

I assume your car doesn't have an electric fuel pump. If it does then I'd start looking there

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Yeah sounds like air leaks. Open the bonnet, get a mate to turn the engine, and look at the pipes surrounding the fuel filter (nearside front of the engine bay). If theres air in there, those pipes they be a'leaking.

Are the glow plugs all ok (yellow lamp on dash, should extinguish immediately the engine is running).

Also check the fuel filter itself is screwed on tight. Theres a rubber o-ring that makes the seal. Big nut on the top to loosen/tighten it.