Yeah, our 300D must have amazing compression as it will actually start faster with some throttle when starting at super cold temps, where my SD will....keep cranking till the battery is dead.
I am sure my engine has lower compression, but it
will still start with about 7-8 seconds of cranking even at 0F....so its not a "lost cause" yet....its been that way the last 60k....so it will probably still last a while....I start mine by staying off the pedal till its running with the starter then I give some throttle.
The 300D will start and idle smoothly at 0F without ever touching the throttle at all, you don't even have to help it keep going. My dad's SD is the same way....both have no visible blow-by with the cap off....mine has lots.
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