... is there a name or "spec" that we might use to know what kind of lubricant is best for this purpose? Anyone out there know?
Regards,

Well it got down to 24 degrees again this morning and on the first try after the glow plug light turned off it cranked over. But it didn't start. Tried it again and this time the starter did not engage and into a free spin. Tried once more... GRINDING noises! Yikes! Tried it again.. it engage and the engine started.

Man I do I dread going underneath and pulling that starter out! I guess it has to be done!

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CJ

1983 300D 12X,XXX

Yep, agreed. The Bendix is either dragging on old grease or the electromagnet is old and tired. If it's the former, a disassembly and cleaning will restore it to satisfactory operating condition. If it's the latter, a disassembly and cleaning will help, but is not a permanent solution.

I understand not having the money for some specific replacement at exactly the time it is needed.... but here in winter, with good rebuilt Bosch units available for about a $100 if I were going to have to pull the starter I would sure look at putting that remanufactured one in while I was down there with all my tools spread out... etc.... and working on checking out the old one between now and good weather..
Remember, 21 to 1 compression ratios are hard on starters...even the best... and you would not want to have to redo this in really bad weather when you learn the hard way that the cleaning and regreasing was only part of the problem.....
Anyway, an ice storm is about to hit Central Texas... and I am feeling ' weather phobia' ... I don't know how you guys deal with metal mechanical things up north... BBRRRRRR

I had to leave Tulsa, OK for NY on Friday at 1:30 pm. I know all about that storm............you ain't seen nuthin' yet...........

Even worse than the weather is that the drivers in our area are famous for not knowing how to drive in anthing other than dry , warm and sunny conditions... and sometimes even then.... you won't catch me out volunteering to be a target....

I volunteered to be a target on Friday afternoon from Tulsa all the way down to I-40. Then, it was heavy rain for the remainder of the trip to Dallas.

Wasn't sure of the best route to the airport and didn't use I-635. Missed the last flight by 2 minutes. Actually, didn't miss it........the gate agent gave my seat away.

You need a NEW Bendix however if you have much more time than money as most of us do then you can pull the starter and spray a liberal amount of Brake Cleaner in the Bendix Clutch canister and wait for it to clean out a bit then reinstall .It has clutches(sprags ) in it that get gummy when extremely cold and that cause it to slip.

... I opted to replace the entire starter with an imported Bosch rebuild [~$150 thru my local source] and sure enough this solved my " first cold start of the day " problem! Also I didn't like the general appearance of the old starter which my "Indy" friend Karl thinks might have been the original!!?
Regards,

I am not clear that you described actually clicking/clunking of the starter/bendix as it slowly engages, or is it just a failure to engage immediately in cold weather??

If you know for sure that the starter solenoid or bendix slides slowly, and makes odd noises, then sure, you need to remove clean or replace, etc.

BUT, if some who read this have starters that quietly fail to respond right away in cold weather, you very likely have a very very common problem on these cars...I recently figured it out and posted here...it is a bad electrical switch on the ignition lock assembly...contacts get all carboned up resulting in failure to conduct in cold weather. See recent posts in my name...search for "starter delay" in title.

There is an easy test....when car is cold, try to start and verify that delay is present. Then leave ignition key on, and engage starter by connecting contacts in little plastic box on pass. side wheel hump just forward of the battery. If, when you do this, the starter immediately jumps to life, the starter is not the problem...it is the electrical switch attached to back of the ignition lock assembly. This is a replaceable part, costs about $30 on Fastlane.

To replace, you really need to remove the whole ignition lock assembly...remove the footwell panel and the instrument cluster, then follow mercedes procedures for removal of ignition lock assembly...realy quite easy but you must follow specific sequence ( I canpost by PDF if you need)...then replacing the electrical switch switch is a snap. If you try to do while it is on the car, you will be very frustrated due to poor access. Remember, you can only pull off the harness connector when the ignition lock is in a specific position (I think first click, or accessory).

A couple of other things....to lube solenoid, I think silicone grease is good (silglyde, or synth. dielectric grease)...this is a good slider past with very wide temp. range (about -30 up to 300 or so). another thing, to remove starter easily, two things: disconnect steering shock to provide room to remove, and to get at top bolt on starter, go in with a 24" rachet extension with "u-joint" ratchet connector, from near the transmission mount, up over the transmission and directly to the top bolt (quite easy). The other two lower bolts are readily accessible.


Mark

__________________
1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

... Mark, so I think ForcedInduction is no longer monitoring his THREAD.
All I have to report is that I had what I now know as the classic cold weather symptom others have described where the starter spins up without the bendix gear engaging the ring gear... and as soon as I replaced the entire starter last week, the problem is solved. We thoroughly inspected the ring gear and luckily it was in excellent condition. It should be since the engine only has ~25K on it!
Regards,

I am shocked, as I was searching to replace my sticking starter yesterday. Same symptoms as FI, my car was outside for a week, and the prob arrived. It is back in the garage and I will monitor.
I will nurse for awhile, but will spent the bucks for a Bosch reman, as that replacement starter job is not pretty.

__________________
Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW