Starting Problems, hurrry girl stranded! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

75mercedes07 · #1 11-17-2005, 08:33 AM

Well with all this cold weather i figured i would but the cord on for the heating core for the block to get warmed up but my father has misplaced it and it is sitting in my boyfrinds driveway. i kept trying to turn it over but ran down the battery. I have a question as to whether or not i can use starter fluid to start it up and if i can how would i do it (advice from a friend). If there are any other ideas i would like to hear. this is not a cold weather car. this sucks. i really wanted to take it out in the snow. rear wheel drive right on.

New2MB · #2 11-17-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75mercedes07

Well with all this cold weather i figured i would but the cord on for the heating core for the block to get warmed up but my father has misplaced it and it is sitting in my boyfrinds driveway. i kept trying to turn it over but ran down the battery. I have a question as to whether or not i can use starter fluid to start it up and if i can how would i do it (advice from a friend). If there are any other ideas i would like to hear. this is not a cold weather car. this sucks. i really wanted to take it out in the snow. rear wheel drive right on.

I wouldn't use starter fluid, lots of posts on here about Ether (active ingredient in starter fluid) destroying engines. I did read that WD-40 might make an acceptable starter fluid but seeing as how it seems you just want to do doughnuts in the snow I think it would be worth it to wait for the block heater and get it started properly.

aklim · #3 11-17-2005, 08:40 AM

Best not use starting fluid unless you want a new engine to go with it. Get yourself a cord and keep it in the car.

Can you push the car somewhere warm? Also try using Diesel 911. Probably won't be a bad idea to add some anti-gel in the tank when it gets cold

http://www.powerservice.com/diesel_911Winter.asp

nategodin · #4 11-17-2005, 09:20 AM

Hello,
I started having the same kind of problems with my 240D about this time last year. If you've run the battery down, you should recharge it if possible... many auto parts stores (Autozone, Advance) will charge a battery for free. Battery chargers are fairly cheap and very useful to have. On extremely cold nights, bringing the battery inside and trickle charging it overnight seemed to be very helpful. I would suggest switching to a lighter oil, synthetic if possible. You should also check your glow plugs, very easy to do with a multimeter. It looks like the temps out your way are only down into the 20s... I think that's a bit warm to be having starting problems. With 4 fresh glow plugs, synthetic 5W40 oil, and the occasional overnight charge, my 240D would always start as long as the overnight lows were above -10F.

Good luck!
Nate

#5 11-17-2005, 10:02 AM

What they said, check the glow plugs, charge the battery, try starting it wile it's being jumped from a running car to increase the voltage to the starter and glow plugs. Try starting it during the warmest part of the day.

Astroman · #6 11-17-2005, 11:07 AM

And if all else fails, have your bf tow you down the street at about 30mph, then drop it into S while glowing the plugs.. after a few seconds (and it may be 50 yards or more) the pressure will come up in the transmission and it will spin the engine, and it will start I promise... If you need more detailed instructions, send a pm..

glenn1179 · #7 11-17-2005, 11:11 AM

I haven't had much success tow starting my 77 auto 240d. Drug that thing around for miles in S and never even got a hint of a turnover. I would advise against doing it on icey roads also.

Glenn

Astroman · #8 11-17-2005, 12:19 PM

Tow started several 300D's and SD's. Never had a problem.. Could have been the rear pump on your 240 had problems.

75mercedes07 · #9 11-17-2005, 04:39 PM

here is another question for you... when i get it running again (i am going to go try it later today, i hope it starts up, we charged the battery all last night), what do you advise for the 7 hours i am at school. my friend, who has an old diesel as well, has to keep his running all day long because otherwise it wont start up for him. he can afford it, because he is using greasel right now, but i am not, so i am payin $2.80 per gal. so, i cant afford letting it run so long. what do i do???

thanks
ra

bill murrow · #10 11-17-2005, 06:50 PM

I'll come pick you up.

Cheers,

Bill

pawoSD · #11 11-17-2005, 07:31 PM

When all else fails, a bucket of hot water poured over the engine/block will help it start right up.

I did this last winter and it worked great.

Now I am an energy sucking monster. Whenever I am at home I leave it plugged in so it always starts on the first crank after 5 seconds of glowing.

This morning I went outside and it was quite cold (around 19 degs) I went up front to unplug the heater, and I coud FEEL heat rising out of the grill!!

No snow on half the hood either, it melted on contact. Ran smoooth and happy instantly when I turned the key, and I had heat within 10 seconds

Mine will however start by itself as low as -10 or so. 10-12 cranks after a 30ish second glow at that temp and it gets going.

75mercedes07 · #12 11-18-2005, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nategodin

Hello,
I started having the same kind of problems with my 240D about this time last year. If you've run the battery down, you should recharge it if possible... many auto parts stores (Autozone, Advance) will charge a battery for free. Battery chargers are fairly cheap and very useful to have. On extremely cold nights, bringing the battery inside and trickle charging it overnight seemed to be very helpful. I would suggest switching to a lighter oil, synthetic if possible. You should also check your glow plugs, very easy to do with a multimeter. It looks like the temps out your way are only down into the 20s... I think that's a bit warm to be having starting problems. With 4 fresh glow plugs, synthetic 5W40 oil, and the occasional overnight charge, my 240D would always start as long as the overnight lows were above -10F.

Good luck!
Nate

What is the part number for the oil filter because i think i am going to do an oil change becasue i was suppost to do it much more sooner, about 500 miles after putting in the new engine. and i am way past that now. also how am i suppost to heat the engine or get it running at school after 7 hours in the cold. this will be a very big problem if i can't get a good idea and i will want to get rid of the car even faster. i might think of keeping it if i can keep it running well in the cold.

75mercedes07 · #13 11-18-2005, 08:18 AM

Also where can i find these glow plugs that work better in the winter weather and the brand name that is on them. it would help out alot. i want to be able start it in -10 weather like the rest of you 240D owners for getting out of school. just like put the web site here on the forum so i can jump right to it and order some.

pawoSD · #14 11-18-2005, 08:24 AM

The better glow plugs are the Bosch "duraterm" glow plugs. An afterglow Bosch relay also helps it run much smoother on a cold startup. I have this setup, and it idles nearly silently/super smooth right after a cold startup. Sounds just like a gasser. The relay keeps the plugs on for 3 mins, plenty of time for the engine to heat up and run smooth on its own.

nategodin · #15 11-18-2005, 09:16 AM

Hello,
You can find and order parts by clicking on "Fastlane" at the top of the page, then entering your year and model. The part numbers are A6002-11686 (Hengst brand) and A6000-30746 (Bosch). If you'd rather just pick up a cheap filter at your local parts store, you could use Fram part #C3. I would definitely try changing to a lighter oil before messing with glow plugs. Upgrading to Duratherm glow plugs and an afterglow relay would be nice if you're keeping the car. If you can't justify the expense, a set of new Bosch glow plugs (part F1100-62528 on this site) should work just fine. The ones you already have may even be OK... how long have you been letting the glow plugs heat up before attempting to start the engine? On cold days, I usually let them run until I hear the relay click off, multiple cycles if necessary. I don't know what your schedule is like, but starting the car in the morning is usually the hardest, because the car has been sitting in the cold and dark all night. If you can park it somewhere where the sun is shining down on your hood all day, it will be much easier to start in the afternoon. Keeping the engine warm (starting and running it every 3-4 hours) will make starting it easier still, if you have time to go for a spin between classes. It keeps the snow from piling up on your car, too... who wants to dig their car out from under a foot of snow before they can go home after a long day?

Man, this thread is really making me look forward to January here in Maine...

Nate