1979 Mercedes 207d cold start problems

[Skar]

I'm having problems with cold starting my Hymer and the garage are scratching their heads about what the problem is, any ideas people? Short history:

About a year ago normal starting procedure was to pull the starter button most of the way out and wait for the yellow glowplug light to go out (10 seconds or so) before pulling it out completely and the engine starting almost instantly, the light stopped coming on and starting worsened so I took it in for the glowplugs to be replaced.

When I collected it, a year ago, the yellow glowplug light no longer went out but if I counted to ten or so and then pulled it started easily.

A couple of months ago the glowplug light no longer came on immediately but did after ten seconds or so, starting though was much worse and I found myself having to cycle the glowplugs to get it started on my last trip away. On my return I took it back to the same garage, although the light again now comes on immediately starting is still very poor, they say that they have tested everything and think it may be the starter switch (puller) itself?? I've lost faith in them tbh and have picked it up and am now looking for pointers as to what the problem could be.

 

[wineciccio]

What is the mileage?? All diesel engines rely on a good compression to start, regardless of glow plugs, has the garage carried out a compression test? that will show if there is something wrong ie, piston rings/cylinders worn, a good garage would have done that or at least have suggested it, I know I would have.:scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter:

 

[dieselkg]

207d om616 bad starting

I'm having problems with cold starting my Hymer and the garage are scratching their heads about what the problem is, any ideas people? Short history:

About a year ago normal starting procedure was to pull the starter button most of the way out and wait for the yellow glowplug light to go out (10 seconds or so) before pulling it out completely and the engine starting almost instantly, the light stopped coming on and starting worsened so I took it in for the glowplugs to be replaced.

When I collected it, a year ago, the yellow glowplug light no longer went out but if I counted to ten or so and then pulled it started easily.

A couple of months ago the glowplug light no longer came on immediately but did after ten seconds or so, starting though was much worse and I found myself having to cycle the glowplugs to get it started on my last trip away. On my return I took it back to the same garage, although the light again now comes on immediately starting is still very poor, they say that they have tested everything and think it may be the starter switch (puller) itself?? I've lost faith in them tbh and have picked it up and am now looking for pointers as to what the problem could be.

/////hi compression test first ???if compression low; tappet adjustment; ex12th inlet 4th ;spent a lot of years on these old engines; any time give me a pm re gards dieselkg:camper:

 

[dane]

Are glow plug fuses fine? No experience of MBs, but it's a common thing on old VW T4s for the glow plug fuse to crack. They look fine until you start poking them...

Also timing? Again, no experience of MBs, but the coldstart lever on the VW adjusts the timing. So checking the timing is correct might be worthwhile.

But as previously mentioned, I'd start with the relay.

 

[shawbags]

Some bloody garages these days give um an old vehicle and there stuffed , if they can't plug it in to diagnostics they don't want to know , how hard could it be to sort it out , check glow plug system , compression , fuel , battery power to give it the kick have I missed anything :idea: .

 

[Deleted member 207]

If you give me the VIN I can look up the parts database and have a look at what should be fitted.

 

[Deleted member 3270]

I'm having problems with cold starting my Hymer and the garage are scratching their heads about what the problem is, any ideas people? Short history:

About a year ago normal starting procedure was to pull the starter button most of the way out and wait for the yellow glowplug light to go out (10 seconds or so) before pulling it out completely and the engine starting almost instantly, the light stopped coming on and starting worsened so I took it in for the glowplugs to be replaced.

When I collected it, a year ago, the yellow glowplug light no longer went out but if I counted to ten or so and then pulled it started easily.

A couple of months ago the glowplug light no longer came on immediately but did after ten seconds or so, starting though was much worse and I found myself having to cycle the glowplugs to get it started on my last trip away. On my return I took it back to the same garage, although the light again now comes on immediately starting is still very poor, they say that they have tested everything and think it may be the starter switch (puller) itself?? I've lost faith in them tbh and have picked it up and am now looking for pointers as to what the problem could be.

Hi Skar
Not sure if this helps
But i have a 96 ssangyong with a merc 5 cyl engine in , and have had this problem twice although it a normal ignition switch and not a pull start.
And found that if just 1 glow plug goes down then the light will not come on and not complete the circuit to the rest of the plugs and hard to start but after eventually getting it started the light would come on and stay on for about 15 seconds and the go out , Just sounds very similar to your problem ! So i would check each glow plug in turn with out taking them out of the head to see if any of gone dead .

 

[Deleted member 43466]

I'm having problems with cold starting my Hymer and the garage are scratching their heads about what the problem is, any ideas people? Short history:

About a year ago normal starting procedure was to pull the starter button most of the way out and wait for the yellow glowplug light to go out (10 seconds or so) before pulling it out completely and the engine starting almost instantly, the light stopped coming on and starting worsened so I took it in for the glowplugs to be replaced.

When I collected it, a year ago, the yellow glowplug light no longer went out but if I counted to ten or so and then pulled it started easily.

A couple of months ago the glowplug light no longer came on immediately but did after ten seconds or so, starting though was much worse and I found myself having to cycle the glowplugs to get it started on my last trip away. On my return I took it back to the same garage, although the light again now comes on immediately starting is still very poor, they say that they have tested everything and think it may be the starter switch (puller) itself?? I've lost faith in them tbh and have picked it up and am now looking for pointers as to what the problem could be.

in this cold weather you need a realy good battery to turn it over fast enough try some good jump leads from another diesel vehicle

 

[ricc]

im not familiar with mercs,
but it sounds like glow plug circuit fault..... first stop is glowplugs they should take around 10 amps each..are they getting volts on the wire when the light should be on ? if volts are getting there.. a good garage should be able to measure the current with a clamp on meter , failing that you can take the wires off the top of the plugs and measure the resistance between the terminal on the plug and earth on the engine block or body of the plug with a multi meter. should be around an ohmm. or you can try the finger test..one plug at a time.if theyre hot enough to hurt theyre working ( not something id recommend), or just replace the lot cos if ones gone the rest will be on the way out..

if theres no voltage getting to the plugs its time to look for the relay...you should be able to hear and feel a clunk as it trips in or out... an assistant to turn the key whist youre under the bonnet can be a help here. the relay is fairly large compared to light relays etc. will have a couple of normal thin wires and a couple of thicker wres , about 1/4 inch diameter probably on bolt like terminals,

only once your sure the relay is good and not getting a signal from the switch is it time to look at the dash switch and fuses or a broken wire, bad connection..

 

[Skar]

Just an update and closure on this, I took it to a proper garage last week and they sorted it. It was a bad earth, power getting through but not enough, I took the opportunity to upgrade the glow plug circuit anyway, they also sorted the throttle linkage. She now starts with 5 seconds on the glowplugs and is flying along!

 

[n brown]

it seems the real problem with your van was taking it to the wrong garage ! it's often something simple,if there's someone competent to have a look . glad it's fixed and cheers for getting back with that info !

 

[MJK]

I have a d207, can I ask which glowplugs you put in yours.
I replaced mine last year but one has gone on me again.
Not had chance to change it yet but it runs fine after about 30 secs of starting her up.
Took her out for a run today, first time in ages.

Pleased yours is sorted now and I know what you mean about finding a proper garage lol. ..

 

[El Veterano]

Glow plugs is my guess. If it worked before the glow plugs were done then they have got to be your starting point. You can crank it all day but without glow plugs working it ain't going to start.

 

[Skar]

I have a d207, can I ask which glowplugs you put in yours.
I replaced mine last year but one has gone on me again.
Not had chance to change it yet but it runs fine after about 30 secs of starting her up.
Took her out for a run today, first time in ages.

Pleased yours is sorted now and I know what you mean about finding a proper garage lol. ..

These are the plugs I got:

MONARK Schnellstart Satz für MERCEDES 200 D /8 - OM 615 4x Glühkerze glow plug | eBay

If you decide to stick with the old system I have 3 unused plugs and 4 with less than 5k miles on if you want them FOC?

 

[MJK]

Hi...
Thanks, I would not say no, that would rude...
How come the plugs you have now got refer to to the om615 and not the om616 ?

 

[oldish hippy]

they suit both the 615 and 616 according to the advert on ebay