Temperatures in low teens - do I need to plug this thing in? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

peterhardie · #1 01-26-2007, 03:23 PM

Luckily I work from home!

Kathy,
I am not aware of faulty heaters as being a common problem. Did you try to start it after having plugged it?

I have an identical car. There is no switch, plugging it in turns it on. When you plug it in, if you listen carefully, you can hear a faint ticking at the engine block.

The block heater does not make the engine very warm. A couple hours plugged in should allow you to start your car with one glow cycle. I plugged mine for a couple hours and it started with 5-8 seconds of glow. It ran like it was cold, though.

I tried starting it without the plug this am and three full cycles of glowing (waiting for the relay to click off each time) and no start! We were somewhere around 10F here, with serious wind as well.

What you could do in a no start situation:

Boil up a large quantity of water (or run a hose from a hot water tap in the house) and pour it over the head (injectors especially) and injection pump. A couple gallons worth of hot water has gotten me going.

I also carry one of the portable battery chargers, in case you run your battery down. Sometimes a little extra cranking speed will make a difference.

Maintenance is key-valve clearances, filters, good oil, good battery--to getting these beasts started in the cold. Some say you can start it down to 0F without plugging; most will plug under 20F.

peterhardie · #2 01-26-2007, 03:33 PM

just reread your posts, Kathy, and realized you have a new-to-you diesel.

Unless you are sure the battery is new, buy a new one! I adhere to the five year rule, change em at 5, and change em when you buy the car unless you trust the previous owner just put a good one in.

Have someone listen to your starter who can tell you if it sounds slow. They take a thrashing over the years in cold weather or less than regular maintenance. Slow cranking will prevent real cold weather starts.

Another thing some do is run their car for 20-30 mins just before they go to bed if they know the temps are dropping. I've done it and it has helped in the am.

Hatterasguy · #3 01-26-2007, 03:33 PM

I was happy with the SD this morning, I left it plugged in almost all night and it fired off like nothing at only 5 degrees. I probably could have just run the block heater for the usual 4 hours. What I was worried about was later, I drove it 1k feet down the street to the office and let it sit for 2 1/2 hours. I was worried that it wouldn't start because the engine would be stone cold again, but it did without an issue. So I'm happy!

BTW its a real good idea to replace your block heater cord. On both of my cars they were shot, don't want to start a fire. Phil sells the cheap ones for like $10, just replace the cord they get frayed under the air cleaner usualy, and covered in oil, good combo!

kekovach · #4 01-26-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterhardie

Luckily I work from home!

Kathy,
I am not aware of faulty heaters as being a common problem. Did you try to start it after having plugged it?

I have an identical car. There is no switch, plugging it in turns it on. When you plug it in, if you listen carefully, you can hear a faint ticking at the engine block.

The block heater does not make the engine very warm. A couple hours plugged in should allow you to start your car with one glow cycle. I plugged mine for a couple hours and it started with 5-8 seconds of glow. It ran like it was cold, though.
thanks, you're right, it did work.

I tried starting it without the plug this am and three full cycles of glowing (waiting for the relay to click off each time) and no start! We were somewhere around 10F here, with serious wind as well.

What you could do in a no start situation:

Boil up a large quantity of water (or run a hose from a hot water tap in the house) and pour it over the head (injectors especially) and injection pump. A couple gallons worth of hot water has gotten me going.

I also carry one of the portable battery chargers, in case you run your battery down. Sometimes a little extra cranking speed will make a difference.

Maintenance is key-valve clearances, filters, good oil, good battery--to getting these beasts started in the cold. Some say you can start it down to 0F without plugging; most will plug under 20F.

problem solved

vstech · #5 01-26-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kekovach

problem solved

What did you do?

peterhardie · #6 01-26-2007, 03:55 PM

She indicated (inside my excerpt) in her last post that "it worked". I assume that means her heater was working, based on where her reply came.

Jkid · #7 01-26-2007, 05:30 PM

I have found that sunlight makes a big difference. If it's 10 deg. at night, my car will not start the next morning. If it's 10 deg. during the day and it's pretty sunny, it will start just fine. The sun really seems to warm the hood and engine.

kekovach · #8 01-27-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

What did you do?

i plugged the car in for a couple of hours and that worked. i also added water remover to my fuel, as was suggested by a friend. Just wanted to clarify what made my car run. Thanks again.

cavaliers16 · #9 01-27-2007, 09:36 PM

I've got to get a block heater for the winter- it started on one crank this morning in 3 degree weather, but it sounded tough and slow. I want to go with the Diesel Giant one, but it says not to leave it plugged in overnight. I would like to leave it in overnight because I have to get up early. Can I leave it in overnight without it melting the lower radiator hose?