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[Sir Tigger KC]

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? 

[tunnie]

Lot of rain recently, water in glow plugs? 

[Sir Tigger KC]

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.. 

[henryd]

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

[ozzycat]

could be the diaphram in the derv pump they dont like veggy oil

[Sir Tigger KC]

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?   

[Sir Tigger KC]

could be the diaphram in the derv pump they dont like veggy oil

Ooooo hope I havn't killed it then???   

[tidla]

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.

[albitz]

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.

[Sir Tigger KC]

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!    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. 

[tidla]

There is a temperature that the veg oil just turns to mush, regardless of what pump is fitted it wont flow.

[albitz]

Been running my Cavalier on 100% veggie almost all winter.During a couple of the coldest weeks I mixed in 10% petrol.

[henryd]

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.

[twiglet]

Are you using new or waste veggie oil mate?  If the later, how are you filtering and de-watering it?

[Lazydocker]

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