It's gotten a little cooler in Houston, with lows in the 40's, and 50's. So, when I go out in the morning, the car is a little harder to start. I don't start the car until the GP light has been off for about 15-30 seconds, and even after that, I have to apply the accel. pedal slightly for a few seconds after I start to ensure the car does not shut off, about 5-7 seconds, it'll stay on, and I'll see a cloud of white smoke behind me, but there is no more smoke after that. This happens on the 81 and 82. Is this normal?
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

My wagon started this morning no problem, and we are in the same city.

I would check you glow plug relay, fuel filters, and glow plugs.

Did you leave your car outside last night? Or was in the garage?
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Nope I always park it on the street.

Benzoboy,

If you car has full power on hills when its warm its not the fuel fliters.

You might have a margial or burned out GP which will cause one cylinder to missfire until that cylinder gets a little warmer.

It might be a cylinder that is getting to the point where the compression isn't high enough to create enough heat to ignite the fuel until the engine gets warmer. A compression test would tell if this is true.

Have checked the valve adjustment lately? A tight valve can also reduce the compression.

P E H

Read this thread for help.
Glow Plug Testing?

I love it. Someone from Houston concerned with cold weather. I've been plugging my car's block heater in at night for the last three weeks. Starts like a dream with it, a huge battery drain without it.

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'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg

Last night was the first time since last winter it wouldn't start.......... I need to see if glowplugs are getting power. Car ALWAYS started quick and smooth and last night ....................nothing.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

When I lived in south Texas, there seemed like there were only two seasons. Summer, which started in November and lasted through February, and then the hot season.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

This is it, and today is the day to be playing golf...just beautiful.

Mine used to start hard and shut back off when it was even slightly cold out, until I adjusted the (excessively overtight) rack damper bolt on the Injection Pump, after setting that to an optimum point, mine starts right away in any weather, and won't shut back off if I let off the gas right away. It made me very happy

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

check your glow plugs, that is most likely the culprit.

And we have had ice already . . . cars have both started normally. Time to get serious with the block heaters.

__________________
Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.

Hi fellas: just bought a block heater and I was wondering how to install into a 82-300d. I believe you have to do something on the drive-side of the engine... any help will be greatly appreciated...