E300 Turbo Diesel Lacking Power

[stevie3259]

Hi I have a 1997 E300 T diesel, when starting from cold engine misses and once driving total lack of power other than that running fine, oh also lots of smoke when starting from cold, has anybody experienced this and what do I need to do to rectify ?

Regards
Steve

 

[230K]

Hi

Probably taking air in on the fuel lines, check for bubbles in the clear fuel lines when running.

230K

 

[Hibbo]

Also, check that all your glowplugs are working.

 

[pcman_jh]

If it's OK once a little bit of heat is in the engine (about a minute) then it'll be eihter glow plug/s down, or a dirty injector(s) (if so, give it a dose of injector cleaner - works wonders), or if there's still no power after a few minutes then it could be a blocked fuel filter that's gelling when cold (especially if you've been running Veg oil, but that's for another thread).

My 1999 E300 TD has been lumpy for both the dirty injectors and gelling in the fuel filter when cold (and I do run on Veg oil).

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Does the orange glow plug light remain lit for 1 minute on the dashboard once the engine has started?

If so, then one or more glowplugs are dead. The more dead glowplugs you have, the lumpier it will be, and the more smoke it will emit. Changing glowplugs is not a job for the faint of heart, since they get stuck in the cylinder head and can be difficult to remove without snapping them. If you have the time and space it can be DIY'd, however if you don't know much about cars take it to a Mercedes independant (NOT A DEALER) and have them do it for you. Get them to replace all 6.

If it is glowplugs, then please get them done - this time of year you don't want to be starting your engine on anything less than 3 glowplugs, as you'll be killing your battery.

Lack of power when driving could be anything, MAF is always a suspect but more information is needed really.