Why wont my car start? - 1982 Mercedes 240D

My 82 Mercedes 240d is not wanting to start. It is blowing tons of grey/dark smoke. I took the air filter off to try getting more air into the mixture but that doesn't seem to do it. Any guesses on why it won't start? I drove it a two days ago about 5 miles and it seemed to be loosing power randomly and shutting off. If I rev it pretty good it will run for a few seconds. God thing I was able to get it to my girls house before it stopped... It was running fine until just recently. Also, there is a huge hole in the exhaust so the smoke is not coming out the end of the tail pipe but around the rear differential. Not sure if that is the reason ... Didn't think that had anything to do with it but maybe it does if the exhaust manifold is getting jerked loose??? I'm new to Mercedes and paid less than a gand for this and it ran fine for about a month till now... Any tips or help would be great. Thanks l!!!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• diesel
• Automobile
• 240d
• Mercedes
• Benz
• 1982
• Cars
• Used
• Cars (film)

[IraHayesIraHayes]

Change the fuel filters first. Let me know if that does the trick. or treat.

[BesidesDaniel]

@IraHayesIraHayes You wont believe this but it was actually out of Diesel. how lame is that. the gauge broke and it said I had gas but upon shaking the car and putting my ear to the tank, there was no noise at all. but anyways, thanks for the tip! how did you know it was starving for fuel?

[coolakiIlen007]

haha i was going to say "fill her up" but you appearently found that out yourself. ;) ive got an -83 240D.

[stcbenz83]

Your glow plugs arn't working.. simple system to repair.. do it

[MrMotor97]

water in diesel

[aaronpourazar]

Really out of Diesel i was thinking the same thing when you were starting it

[beatnic50]

The gizmo that measures fuel level is attached to the tank at the top.  You can get to it by removing the first aid kit tray at the back window. Unplug the wire and use channel locks if you don't have a big enough socket. Sometimes the little holes that let the fuel in get all clogged up. If you scrap off all the crap on the outside and wipe it down good it might work again. The same size socket is used to get the fuel feed filter screen off the bottom of the tank, a very messy job!

[ellshafiey]

try replacing the relay for the fuel pump it is replaced behind the battery

[eZiNexArena]

I was gonna try my 15 year old knowledge, but then I saw you solved it with Diesel. :)

[IraHayesIraHayes]

This goes to show, troubleshoot the simplest, most basic things first...I'm stoked for you that that's all the problem was...!

[IraHayesIraHayes]

@BesidesDaniel I knew because the sound it made...it wanted to fire which means the glow plugs were OK...But it coughed like I've had them do when the filters get clogged...I've owned 11 of these diesel Mercs...currently have a 240d 4 speed manual tranny! First stick I've owned...manual windows too! woot