Hello foks: My 82 300d, when I start it up in the a/m, will turn over and run for about 3-5 seconds and then die. I advanced the idle but there was no difference. It is around 30 -40 degrees now in the a/m. Any help will be greatly appreciated....

Good Morning

I would encourage posting this in the Diesel forum. You may want to perform a search or two to see if there is some helpful information in the archives regarding your complaint.

Take Care

Power is cut to glow plugs after 3 to 5 seconds of running- you can normally hear this happen by a sudden increase in "clatter" that goes away as engine heats up.

Instead of turning up the idle knob, just try keeping your foot in it to see if it keeps running. If so, I would suspect the linkage to your idle speed knob is broken or mis-adjusted. If you still can't keep it running by staying on the accelerator pedal, it would be something more serious, or perhaps a bad load of fuel.

OK its now getting into the cold starting problems and what to do about it.
Consider the following

Check the glow plugs.
Check the valve adjustment. Do one if not done in the last year
Check the diesel fule for geling, Add a antigeling suppliment.
Check all fuel filters
Check al throttle linkage for wear. and lubricate the balls,
Check for algae in the fuel, not winter specific.
Check the RPM speed
Check oil weight for operating temperature


Do search on this

240D Very Hard to Start and won't idle in gear.


Glow Plug Testing?

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Hello, Take a look in the Diesel Forum specials they have a fast glow kit for a great price call phil 888 333-4642

Thank you very much: went to the diesel forum and it was great reading..
I replaced my inline fuel filter, and will see in the a/m.. how it starts.. again thank you very much...

dave: Thanks some great advice, I replaced the inline fuel filter, also greased up all the linkage, and I purchased a block heater. Now I will see how it starts in the a/m again thanks.....

On the throttle linkage balls don't use grease use Automatic transmission fluid. Just a drop or 2. The grease will attract dirt and clog up in a couple of months interfering with the movement

How does the inlne filter look? clean or a little dirty. Or does it seem black. If black then the tank may have algae.

go here and do a glow plug check. that is the number one thing to check for starting problems. Then go thru the list provided.

http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/Library.html

Dave.

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Dave: Just got in from my son's and the car is running great. It started on the second try... I let off the gas pedal and the car idled fine.. Looks like the inline filter did the trick.. and yes it looked dark?maybe black. What is this algea problem in the tank. Also thanks for the tip on the linkage and using tanny oil.. Thank you very much Jan