I have a 1998 E300 turbodiesel and I'm having trouble getting it started. It has been going on for several weeks now. When it first happpened, I would start the car and it would fire up immediately then hesitate a few seconds and run fine until I would have to start it again. It got very bad and I had to turn it over a for about 10 seconds before it would start. I took it to a local mechanic whom I trust and he said there was air in the fuel lines and asked me if I ran it dry (which I didn't). I took it home and it started easier but still hesitated again. I took it back and he said it was the injector pump. That didn't seem to make sense since it runs fine once it gets running. It is worse when the engine is cold. The glow plugs are 3 years old. I'm reluctant to replace the injector pump without further verification. Please help!
jon

 

Have you ever done a lubro moly diesel purge? If not you can find a pictorial here: http://www.dieselgiant.com/injectorcleaning.htm
Also, the in tank fuel strainer could be plugged. If you do a diesel purge, you can check it out because you're then by-passing the strainer and fuel tank.

If you don't do a diesel purge you can check out the in-tank fuel strainer by reversing the return fuel lines with the incoming fuel lines... then the incoming fuel line will be by-passing the in tank strainer. If the engine runs well, your in tank strainer is clogged.

 

Having a diesel purge would be the way to start. It's the most affordable out of your options. Considering it runs fine after startup makes me assume that there would be a clog in the line, injector, or strainer.

 

Thanks guys!
Jon

 

wow, thats some quality reporting. thanks alot