The real test today.... only 7 degrees right now - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

michael cole · #16 12-20-2004, 02:56 PM

saturday eve -16C my 87 603 started right away unassisted after sitting approx 12 hrs.monday am it was -27C.nogo even with block heater.i suspect fuel solidification as i had just added 3litres of veggie to the tank.bad timing on my part.doesnt usually get this cold this early in the winter.good news "heat wave" on the way.s/b 0C tuesday

tenknots · #17 12-20-2004, 03:32 PM

Sigh. Hans let me down for the first time. Plugged in the heater, ran 3 GP cycles. Really tried, but he could do it. It was 10 degrees. Found out the block heater doesn't. Will troubleshoot when it gets warmer.

Used my daughter's 84 Volvo (started in 3 seconds) to jump start. Second try he fired up. Was 3 hours late for work. (Note of interest - my boss just bought a Mercedes C320 from his boss three days ago. Dead as a doornail this AM. He was 3 hours late too. Before he bought it, he asked what I thought of the car - I said it was pretty decent, but very expensive to fix, especially electronics. They think it's the computer.)

I think my start up procecure is wrong. I used the Mercedes way and held down the throttle. The last time I did it my way, the way that worked my 240D, and cranked with no throttle until it caught - started in 30 seconds of cranking.

Might keep my eyes open for a nice Volvo for the winter...

pawoSD · #18 12-20-2004, 03:34 PM

This morning it was about 6 degrees out when I started mine up, I glowed about 20 seconds and went for it.....no go, starter wasn't getting enough juice, so I stopped, glowed another 20 seconds or so, then tried again and after about 15 cranks it was running

Started the 83 to move it into the garage, let it glow about 35 seconds, then I cranked.....and cranked......about 20 seconds of cranking later it finally started.....it seems to not be able to build up the "booming" sound mine does when it cranks, it took about twice as long, and a lot more "booming" rotations, mine's just better

It did start though, and ran fine after that. Except the alternator belts are too loose (they were squealing, they're brand new as of a month ago), so I put it up on ramps, and ended up breaking the bolt on the bottom of the alternator while loosening it

Dealer will have one in by Wednesday for $4, I am lucky, I was able to get the end piece (threads) out successfully by grabbing the little bit sticking out of the mount. So its out of comission a couple days till I get the new bolt and put it all back in again. its COLD out there.

jpmaynard · #19 12-20-2004, 03:34 PM

7 degrees and took about 4 glows on the 240 and about 20 seconds of cranking but she eventually caught. felt bad for her though. i have the block heater in hand but it looks like such a PITA that I had boycotted the idea of putting it in

. but may have to reconsider. do most of you remove just the starter or do you take off the intake/exhaust manifolds to get to the plug? 7degrees is a worst case scenario around here, doesnt get much colder than that, but it does in West VA....

was also thinking of putting one of those Katz stick on heaters. does anybody have experience w/ any non-freeze-plug block heaters that they would recommend?

pawoSD · #20 12-20-2004, 03:36 PM

I'm also interested in one of the non-freeze plug heaters as well, since mine so far can always start when cold, but something to make it a bit easier would be nice.....any specific recommendations?

phidauex · #21 12-20-2004, 04:11 PM

I just got back from CO, a nice 1000 mile drive each way.

While I was in CO, two of my GPs burned out and she stopped starting below 32F... I boiled up two gallons of water and slowly poured it over the head, and it started right up.

Then a quick trip to Autozone yielded plugs, and a few minutes farting around under the hood had them replaced. My girlfriend was just waiting for something bad to happen, since she still wasn't super comfortable taking the old car on a long trip, but when I put the last plug in, the car fired at 20F on the first GP cycle. Hehe, score one for the old diesel.

This morning it was 16F and it started on the first try, no block heater. Also, I discovered my car HAS a block heater... I thought it didn't, and I had even looked very closely when I bought the car, and found a freeze plug with no heater in it. Unfortunately, it seems I found the wrong freeze plug! The correct plug does have a heater in it, and it tests at 41 ohms, which is just about 350 watts, which sounds right to me.

Of course, that means I now have a Zerostart 1500W circulation heater for sale.

Anyone want it? It is the type that plumbs into your lower coolant hose, and heats coolant in its little tank, the coolant naturally flows upwards, bringing cold coolant into its tank. The 1500W model is popular among TDI owners, and supposedly heats an engine to operating temperature in less than an hour. Its completely unused, and includes the 'mercedes adapter' from JC Whitney, though since I haven't gotten around to installing it yet (of course) I'm not sure if any additional fittings are going to be necessary. The heater kit is 40$ + 11$ for the 'mercedes adapter' from JC whitney, and I'd sell both for 45$ including 48 states shipping if a forum member wants it. I'll post this in the parts forum after work, too, and on ebay later this week if no one here is interested.

peace,
sam

rg2098 · #22 12-20-2004, 04:36 PM

-15 with windchill sitting outside all night (got kicked out of the garage)

and she started right up after 15sec glow cycle and no block heater. I feel that it would take another 20 degrees lower to make it difficult, possibly requiring a block heater.

Brian Carlton · #23 12-20-2004, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenknots

I think my start up procecure is wrong. I used the Mercedes way and held down the throttle. The last time I did it my way, the way that worked my 240D, and cranked with no throttle until it caught - started in 30 seconds of cranking.

I'm in complete agreement with this. When you press the pedal down half way, the only thing the additional fuel does it to cool off the combustion chamber further. I have tried to start the 123 (previous vehicle) with no pedal and it appeared to almost catch. Then, when giving it pedal, it went right back to cranking with no firing.

My strong recommendation is to try and start marginal engines with no fuel for at least the first fifteen seconds. If it appears to begin to fire, just leave that key in the start position for another 15 seconds while the starter "helps" the engine to continue running. You won't hurt the starter this way and, after 15 seconds of combined running of several cylinders and the starter, the engine should run at idle, by itself. The timing of when to let go of the key requires some practice and patience.

Fortunately, I have not had to implement this procedure with either of these two because they have had no starting problems with good batteries and plugs.

BodhiBenz1987 · #24 12-20-2004, 04:56 PM

Was about 8 degrees here when I went out to start at 11 am, wind chill about -5 or so. Couldn't get into my car, because the locks were frozen, so I took a mini hair drier and an extension cord and solved that problem. Once I was inside the ice cavern, put the key in, one gp cycle for about 15-20 seconds and Bo started right up. First couple rumbles had a bit of a "oh you've got to be kidding me" tone, but it ran great. I let it warm up a while and then grimacingly set out to conquer the road salt empire ...

Knock on wood, but I've always done very well around here. No block heater ... but I did need that hair drier ...

E300D · #25 12-20-2004, 05:37 PM

This morning, it was - 23C or about -8F here in toronto. After running 2 glow cycles and depressing the accelerator 1/2 way, the Om606 started without a problem. Although I reported rough running at startup before, this morning that did not happen. Strange. Anyways, I run 10W40 Agip synthetic oil and I DID NOT use a block heater!

oldnavy · #26 12-20-2004, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I'm in complete agreement with this. When you press the pedal down half way, the only thing the additional fuel does it to cool off the combustion chamber further. I have tried to start the 123 (previous vehicle) with no pedal and it appeared to almost catch. Then, when giving it pedal, it went right back to cranking with no firing.

My strong recommendation is to try and start marginal engines with no fuel for at least the first fifteen seconds. If it appears to begin to fire, just leave that key in the start position for another 15 seconds while the starter "helps" the engine to continue running. You won't hurt the starter this way and, after 15 seconds of combined running of several cylinders and the starter, the engine should run at idle, by itself. The timing of when to let go of the key requires some practice and patience.

Fortunately, I have not had to implement this procedure with either of these two because they have had no starting problems with good batteries and plugs.

I was going to call you out on this start procdure Brian, but thought I look at my OM first.

I didn't see the start instructions on other side of page till just now,

I've never done that either.

The most I've done is the 1/2 throttle to to ingage the fast idle then let off the pedal and let her start, and I have only done that in the winter and never in the summer.

Man I never understood why anyone would want to live so far NORTH and then complain about it all winter.

Brian Carlton · #27 12-20-2004, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldnavy

I was going to call you out on this start procdure Brian, but thought I look at my OM first.

The OM calls out for using half pedal when it is very cold. I'm really not sure why they want the additional fuel in there, and, with good compression, battery, and glow plugs, it is not an issue.

However, I have found that the additional fuel becomes a detriment if any part of the starting system is marginal.

phantoms · #28 12-20-2004, 07:02 PM

Was 27°F here this morning. Tonight it's suppose to get down to 19°F. Hopefully, that's the coldest it will get here this year. I don't envy you guys up north when it comes to wintertime.

phidauex · #29 12-20-2004, 07:12 PM

I think its hilarious how we all pat ourselves on the back for being able to start our cars in the morning.

Look at that, everyone, my car actually works!

Oh yeah? Well, my car works too!

Hey great, our cars function! Yay!

I'm going to sit down, drink a beer, and celebrate the fact that my car starts.

I suppose in the end, you gotta be thankful for the little things.

peace,
sam

BodhiBenz1987 · #30 12-20-2004, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phidauex

I think its hilarious how we all pat ourselves on the back for being able to start our cars in the morning.

Look at that, everyone, my car actually works!

Oh yeah? Well, my car works too!

Hey great, our cars function! Yay!

I'm going to sit down, drink a beer, and celebrate the fact that my car starts.

I suppose in the end, you gotta be thankful for the little things.

peace,
sam

Hey, people who are thrilled by little things enjoy life the most. Doesn't matter that this is my car's 17th winter of chilly starts ... the excitement never wears off!