Uncooperative OM617 start-up (helping a friend) - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

leathermang · #1 02-10-2015, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

..... I have a good idea of exactly the reason why it won't start, but I will keep it to myself for now and see how it all plays out.

One thing for sure, you don't want to do more than one thing at a time. Fir instance, if you do the 4 different fuel related things all at once, you won't know which one was causing the no start condition. ...Rich

Rich, You do not score points claiming to know the answer but keeping quiet... GO BOLD.... tell us what you know and we will tally the points when the report comes in.... As Stretch says.. it is all about the Points....

yes, a shame to do more than one thing at a time and end up not knowing what was actually the cause of the no start condition....

Paddy Acme · #2 02-10-2015, 07:38 PM

I can't offer too much advise, but I can share a personal anecdote that may be relevant.

Quiet awhile ago I moved to Northern Utah from Sunny Southern California, with my old Ford pick-up truck, with the 300 six. I was usually good about changing oil, but not at that time in my life. I began driving over the road again, and my truck sat for a couple or three months with some real old 20W-50 oil in the crankcase. In fact, for a good part of the winter. And another fact, I couldn't remember when I had changed it last

When I went home to start it, it barely turn over, even after getting a jump from the Peter Creeper, it just turned too slow.

I didn't know that multi-viscosity oils can break down with time and lose their W. My oil lost it's 20W. I changed the oil, and it turned right over and started, with a jump. That's my story and it gave me some experience about relying on old oil. Now I'm a phobic oil changer

Jetmugg · #3 02-10-2015, 09:32 PM

Please don't withhold any ideas that might help to get this car started. My intent is not to do the work to see who came up with the correct problem. My goal is to get the car started.

I only have limited time that I can devote to this "project", so I have to chose my plan of attack carefully.

I don't have a problem doing more than one thing at a time, either. If the starter comes out for a rebuild, then there will be some downtime available to change the oil, check the valves, check and change the glow plugs, and change the fuel filters. Im not planning to treat this as a science experiment designed to isolate variables.

I just want to get the thing up and running, which will open up a whole world of opportunities beyond having a non-running car in a wet, damp, cold, cluttered garage.

All ideas are welcomed and encouraged.

leathermang · #4 02-10-2015, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetmugg

..... Im not planning to treat this as a science experiment designed to isolate variables.......

Blasphemy !!!!

ROLLGUY · #5 02-11-2015, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetmugg

If the starter comes out for a rebuild, then there will be some downtime available to change the oil, check the valves, check and change the glow plugs, and change the fuel filters. .

That sounds like the best plan to me, and not far from what I was thinking. I believe that all but the oil change are needed to get the car running, but it certainly won't hurt to change the oil while doing the other repairs (long drain time is good).

southofantarctica · #6 02-11-2015, 01:12 AM

In the 3 Mercedes diesels that I've brought back to life, it has always seemed to help to bleed the injector lines like you would brakes. Have someone crank the car over, while that is happening pump on the primer While you crack a single injector line. Then close it up real good before your helper stops cranking. We've always started with the cylinder closest to the firewall and worked our way up. Normally starts after the 3rd one gets good and bled. Keep the pedal mashed so that when it does catch, it'll power through the remaining air in the lines.

Not scientific, but its always worked for us. Even on the motor that set uncovered for 3+ years in a dude's backyard.

Jetmugg · #7 02-11-2015, 04:48 PM

Quick update - her son has agreed to clean up the garage. When they both have time available, I'm going to bring a floor jack, jack stands, and enough tools to remove the starter.

My goal is to keep my hands in my pockets as much as possible during the starter removal. If they can get the starter out in a reasonable period of time, that will be a stepping stone to further success.

Steve.

leathermang · #8 02-11-2015, 06:05 PM

Good training for the boy...
first instructions.... disconnect the battery...
second.... no rings , jewelry , long hair hanging around... goggles when under the car...
rust flakes will stick right to the eyeball... can't be rinsed off... took me two emergency eye Dr's visits to really learn that....
he could read Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance AND Muir's How to keep a VW alive for the complete idiot.....

funola · #9 02-11-2015, 06:50 PM

I would take a second look and make sure the starter is bad before proceeding with its R&R. Are battery and ground strap connections OK? Is your remote starter switch OK and was it making a good connection? Are the connections and wiring to the starter OK? Maybe the starter just needs to be cranked a bit since it sat for 5 years and some corrosion set in?

Removing/ installing a starter in a 617 turbo is not a fun job. Make sure you have a plan B if plan A (jack stands + long 1/2" extensions) don't work out.
I tried plan A on my 83 but only had 3/8" drive long extensions. Problem I ran into was I didn't have enough swing room with the long pipe (for leverage) on the 1/2 " breaker bar and 1/2" ratchet that I used because my jack stands was not tall enough (leverage pipe was hitting the ground due to the 3/8" drive long extensions twisting and I was not able to break loose the upper starter bolt). I did not want to buy 1/2" drive long extensions not knowing if it would make a difference so went to plan B and got the job done.

If you strip the upper Allen starter bolt, engine has to come out.

winmutt · #10 02-11-2015, 08:44 PM

Its not that bad, just need the right tools. You can fit a ujoint breaker bar and a allen socket in there.