Cold starting as indicator of compression
 

Hello,

I have a 240D with 265000miles and a 5 year old battery. I've been suprised at how easy it has started in 15-20 degree weather recently. This was with number 2 diesel with powerservice added. No block heater. I'm curious about the engine compression and wondering if I can conclude from the above that it is likely satisfactory. Appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks,

Kevin

If it starts in 15-20 degree weather, I would have to conclude that it is satisfactory.....
Nice.

A 5 year old battery???
 

A 5 year old battery???
That is amazing, but count on the battery failing during sub zero starts.
If it continues to start easy, below 10F, I would call that superior engine compression for it's age.

That's great news. My wrecked '85 cranked right up at 8 degrees F, about the coldest it ever gets here. That was also a night that I forgot to plug her in. I just let her glow about fifteen seconds longer than the light and she fired up with less than five seconds of cranking. I'm glad the engine is still intact. She had some kind of performance issue where she was a bit slow on the 0-60 time but I also took the easy starting as a sign of good compression. It never failed to start on me. My brother told me his refused to start on him one morning but I took a look under the hood and his battery is scary, old with lots of corrosion. He's mechanically handicapped:silly: and was very pleased when I tightened up his throttle linkage and turned up his alda. I know he wasn't nearly brave enough to do the valves so I'm hoping that plus the ancient battery is what caused it not to start. On the plus side I have a $200 parts car with a darn good engine in case I ever need to swap!:cool:

yep
 

i agree. superior compression.

tom w

definitely satisfactory. If it starts at 0F with a 5 year old battery/no block heater, then it's at least very good.