Its -18F (-28C) outside tonight here in Montreal, and my '95 E300D is parked for the night in my driveway with the block heater NOT CONNECTED. It could have been inside, in my nice warm garage, but I left it outside intentionally just to see if it will start tomorrow morning. My block heater plug, a Battery charger, and a battery booster are all on stand-by just incase trouble is ahead.

I changed the glow-plugs last year. Installed a new Mercedes Battery six months ago. Am using Mobil 1 0W-40 Synthetic. Filled-up the tank, and added "Stanadyne, Performance Formula" Diesel additive, to prevent fuel gelling.

So will it start tomorrow? Will find out, and let you know.


Phil

__________________
'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]

I went this morning to start the car, not knowing what will happen. It started on the first glow, idled perfectly, and was ready to go. Boy am I proud of this car today.


Phil

__________________
'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]

18 below zero on a diesel with 200K, and starting on first glow?

I'd be glowing myself.

It took me three starts this morning but after the first one I new it was going to start. I think it was about 0-2 above when I started it this morning...all new glow plugs and battery will do the trick.

Bill

I think the key number in this equation is the year of the vehicle

The coldest it has gotton here was low 20's. Benz fired right up on first glow (not even that long). ANd yeah new glowplugs and the goods help a lot.

The newer diesels seem to deal with the cold better then the older ones. The 606's have a lot of computer's controling them. But still -18 is cold for anything gas or diesel!

I guess your compression is pretty good!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I did a test like that too.

I left the car without blockheater and it started in -23 C temp, however it was running rough for the first 3 secs or so then idled perfectly at 650 rpm

Nowadays I have the block heater warm up the car for 3hrs before start and the car starts perfectly everytime, no rough running.

Is there a time limit for keeping the car plugged in. If I know that I will not be usine my 83 300SD for a few days is it safeto keep it plugged in. Wil this hurt anything?

It probably will not hurt anything but it would be a waste. 2-3 hours is all the time the block heater needs to work.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200