My 190D has a hard time starting. I need to crank a lot. I wanted to decide if my glow plugs were bad, or if I had a fuel problem. I squirted a "short" blast of starting fluid in the air cleaner and it started on the first crank. Does this mean that I'm losing prime after the car sits overnight? If I start it every 2-3 hours, it'll start right up. If it's fuel related, where do I start? I see no fuel leaking anywhere....
Thanks,
Ken

 

Have u primed the car, there may be air in your fuel system, and also starter fluid is very bad for diesel engines...so avoid at all cost

 

Should I have to prime it every time? Especially after it runs every day?
This stuff is a little new to me.
Ken

 

prime once and see if it can start.

 

Avoid using that stuff at all costs.

Check your diesel thermostat.
It's on the driver's side underneath that black airbox. If need be, unclamp the box and romove the cover. Then use a socket wrench to unscrew the 4 nuts holding on the other half of the black air box. It's really simple. After that's removed you'll be able to see a fuel line going to a small fuel filter. Check that for leaks and tighten the fasteners. Continue on past the fuel filter and follow the line where it runs into the metal diesel thermostat with like 5 fuel lines connecting into it. Inspect the part, especially the front plastic piece for fuel leaks.

Or it could be your fuel pump is leaking, you'll be able to notice fuel right ontop of it. The fuel pump is right under the silver metal intake to the left of the black box. Inbetween and underneath the intake is a rectangular device with 4 metal lines going into it. Check the base of those lines ontop of the fuel pump for wet areas.

Another possibility if no leaks are found is your glow plugs. Those may need changed. And it could also be the glow plug relay, which can be costly..

Good luck! I have an 84' 190D with the same issue. My issue is the fuel thermostat, which I'm buying now..