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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2013, 17:19:50

Title: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2013, 17:19:50
Jumped into The Merc this afternoon, turned the key and it didn't start, tried 3 times then the battery died...  :(  Usually she starts on the button.   ::)

Tried the jump leads from a couple of the neighbours cars but they only had little batteries and they didn't have enough oomph to crank over my 2.5 diesel lump properly.  :-\

I've been running it with a 50/50 mix of new veggie oil and diesel the last couple of weeks and she's been fine, I'm hoping it's nothing to do with that, but I'd have thought any problems to do with the veggie oil would have appeared sooner?  :-\

Any thoughts peeps?  ::)
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: tunnie on 07 March 2013, 17:23:22
Lot of rain recently, water in glow plugs?  :-\
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2013, 17:26:41
A wet problem did cross my mind as its the first rain we've had in ages.  :-\  The glowplug light goes on and off correctly though..  :-\
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: henryd on 07 March 2013, 18:33:44
A wet problem did cross my mind as its the first rain we've had in ages.  :-\ The glowplug light goes on and off correctly though..  :-\

The light may come on and go off ok but doesn't mean the plugs actually work,I fitted a set to a 250 TD a few weeks ago and replaced all the leak off pipes at the same time and starts instantly now,inlet manifold needs to come off for the plugs but easy to do although you will need new inlet seals as they go hard with age/heat :y
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: ozzycat on 07 March 2013, 20:49:48
could be the diaphram in the derv pump they dont like veggy oil
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2013, 20:54:13
I did the glow plugs about 5 months ago and I've replaced all the little plastic pipes that run around the injector pump and fuel filter as it did have a starting problem but that seemed to cure it and it's been fine since then.  ::)

I didn't however replace the inlet manifold seals! Are the leak off pipes the braided hoses?  ???  :-\
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2013, 20:55:03
could be the diaphram in the derv pump they dont like veggy oil

Ooooo hope I havn't killed it then???  :'( 
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: tidla on 07 March 2013, 20:55:30
Ideally a twin tank set up is the best. Trying to start on even 50/50 veg is hard work for the engine especially when its cold as the veg starts to go cloudy. You need a good quality big battery to give  plenty of cranking time. Fuel filter changes very often.
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: albitz on 07 March 2013, 20:59:13
It very much depends on the type of pump.If it has a Bosch type pump veggie oil wont cause it any problems,even in winter,but others can be fussy about it.
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2013, 21:02:02
I think a new battery is definitely in order!  ::)  I thought these old Mercs were quite good on the Veggie oil, ironically I've been a bit nervous during some of the colder weather we've had but she's fired up on the button and ran fine!  :y  Yet today it was wet and warm, she's playing up!!  :(

I'll check the pump tomorrow.  I've got a feeling it's a Bosch, as when I had starting problems before a mechanic at a local garage told me that the pump was knackered and I'd need a new one.  ::)
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: tidla on 07 March 2013, 21:03:35
There is a temperature that the veg oil just turns to mush, regardless of what pump is fitted it wont flow.
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: albitz on 07 March 2013, 21:06:30
Been running my Cavalier on 100% veggie almost all winter.During a couple of the coldest weeks I mixed in 10% petrol. ;)
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: henryd on 07 March 2013, 21:10:08
I did the glow plugs about 5 months ago and I've replaced all the little plastic pipes that run around the injector pump and fuel filter as it did have a starting problem but that seemed to cure it and it's been fine since then.  ::)

I didn't however replace the inlet manifold seals! Are the leak off pipes the braided hoses?  ???  :-\

Leak off pipes run between injectors then back to pump,they age and go hard,may not let diesel out but can let air in.
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: twiglet on 07 March 2013, 21:18:24
Are you using new or waste veggie oil mate?  If the later, how are you filtering and de-watering it?
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Lazydocker on 07 March 2013, 21:46:31
Been running my Cavalier on 100% veggie almost all winter.During a couple of the coldest weeks I mixed in 10% petrol mixed fuel. ;)

Fixed that for you :-X :-X :D :D
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Vamps on 07 March 2013, 22:14:34
Been running my Cavalier on 100% veggie almost all winter.During a couple of the coldest weeks I mixed in 10% petrol mixed fuel. ;)

Fixed that for you :-X :-X :D :D

Pitty you are so far away.... ;)
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: albitz on 07 March 2013, 22:25:15
Been running my Cavalier on 100% veggie almost all winter.During a couple of the coldest weeks I mixed in 10% petrol mixed fuel. ;)

Fixed that for you :-X :-X :D :D

Deliberate mistake in case it may have been unwanted advertising for you. ;)
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 07 March 2013, 22:31:13
Are you using new or waste veggie oil mate?  If the later, how are you filtering and de-watering it?

No it's spanking new oil direct from Costco.  :)
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 08 March 2013, 16:01:00
The Merc lives!!  :y 

There's a slight diesel leak from one of the injector pipes at the pump, not from the pipe itself but from the connector on the pump.  I'll see if I can tighten it, but it's not a hex knut but looks like a cog with lots of little teeth, must be a special tool...  :-\

It must have let air in whilst at rest...  :-\
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: twiglet on 15 March 2013, 11:11:03
The Merc lives!!  :y 

There's a slight diesel leak from one of the injector pipes at the pump, not from the pipe itself but from the connector on the pump.  I'll see if I can tighten it, but it's not a hex knut but looks like a cog with lots of little teeth, must be a special tool...  :-\

It must have let air in whilst at rest...  :-\

Good news.  :y

As you probably know, small leaks that allow air to be drawn into the system can go unnoticed when running on diesel, but can be a real killer when running on veg.  Get that leak sorted, and do a thorough check of the whole fuel system right back to the tank.  :y

As you are running SVO, you won't have the problems with filtering and de-watering I mentioned either, but I would still recommend that you change your fuel filter regularly and keep a spare one in the glovebox along with the tools required to change it.  That's got me out of trouble on several occasions.  :y
Title: Re: Dead Merc ....
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 15 March 2013, 22:07:23
Thanks Twiglet,  I'm back on diesel for the time being.  ::)

It turns out after a bit of research that what I thought were connectors on top of the injector pump are valves and it's a common thing for them to leak.  They have an O ring and a crush washer, I guess that the Veg oil was the last straw which popped the seal.....  :-\

Anyway, new set of seals ordered from friendly Merc dealer, a special tool from ebay and I'll have a crack at it soon!  :)