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#1
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1987 300TDT Runs rough and smokes alot at startup
I just purchased a 1987 300TDT and it is my first diesel car (I do own a diesel tractor). It has 96,000 miles on it. At start up it runs rough, as if it is only running on 4 cylinders and it smokes alot. After about 1 minute it runs perfect. It runs better if I cycle the glow plugs twice before starting it. I thought I may have a couple of bad glow plugs but in the complete set of reciepts I got with the car, I noticed the glow plugs were replaced two years ago...Any ideas?
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#2
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youll have to check to glowplugs with a multimeter, Maybe doing a diesel purge will help clear up the smoke on start-up. I know it did on my 87 300D
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Current: 05 E320 CDI 07 GL320 CDI 08 Sprinter 05 Dodge Cummins 01 Dodge Cummins Previous 2004 E55 AMG 2002 C32 AMG (#2) 1995 E300 1978 300D 1987 300D 2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[ 1981 300SD 1983 300SD 1987 300SDL 2002 Jetta TDI 1996 S420 1995 S500 1993 190E 2.6 1992 190E 2.3 1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed |
#3
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It could still very much be the glow plugs. First thing to do would be to pull out your trusty multimeter and check the resistance of each glow plug to ground. Unplug the glow plug wiring harness and check between the body of each glow plug to the threaded area that the glow plug wires attach to. Check each glow plug a few times to make sure you have good contact. The glow plugs should be around 0.6 ohms cold I believe. If two of them are much different than that you have your answer.
If you are going to replace two I would recommend replacing all of them as you pretty much have to pull the intake manifold to replace them and you don't want to do that more often than you have to because it is a PITA. |
#4
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Once you verify they're working (or not) properly, glow the plugs longer upon start up. The 603 is pretty grumpy when started cold... mine is.
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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look. ![]() '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG] |
#5
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I would strongly suggest checking the glow plug relay as well as the glow plugs. The symptoms you describe sound similar to the problems I was having with my 300TDT. I just recently replaced the relay on my 300TDT since the glow light would only stay lit for 1 second, and the relay would only stay closed for 6 seconds instead for the normal 30 seconds or so. The glow plug light duration is dependent on the temperature of a sensor inside the relay. There is also a fuse inside the relay that somtimes cracks as well so that should also be checked.
-Steve
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1987 300TDT smoke silver w/ burgundy leather interior 2000 VW Passat wagon indigo blue w/ beige leather interior 1985 Mustang SVO 1970 Chevrolet K10 fleetside, shortbed |
#6
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1981 300D 147k 1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k 1979 300D 234k (sold) 1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold) Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair ![]() |
#7
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Replacing the glow plugs could help a bit, new delivery valve seals might as well.
But 603's just do that once in awhile, nature of the beast.
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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#8
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Thanks for all the help! I've learned alot...
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#9
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Violet Wire
If, after you've diagnosed and replaced any offending glow plugs, it still runs rough upon start up, try snipping your violet wire. This treatment tends to get the 603 idle to smooth out a little earlier in the start up process.
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