Hi All,

Tomorrow morning I am scheduled to pick up the 190D 2.5 that I bought on eBay. I do not know why I put myself through this, I HATE buying cars on EvilBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220072077774

Anyway, since it has been VERY cold back here (low=22, hi=33 F). I asked the seller if he has started it recently and if she fired right up. Here is his reply...

Hi. I started it two days ago and it starts fine in the cold. As usual for a diesel that is not plugged in it fires up and chugs for a few seconds, stalls, after two or three times it continues to run. that is normal for a diesel in very cold weather. It always starts. I will look for your call in the morning and be at the absecon station by 10:40am.

On my previous diesels (two VW Rabbits, and a BMW 524TD) I never used a block heater and they almost always started on the first try even when covered in ice. Yes, they might sputter and kick for a bit but rarely would I have to try her 2-3 times.

Is this just pre-delivery jitters? Is this normal for a 190D in real cold weather or should I be concerned here?

Thanks.

Where is here and what is cold?

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Here is NJ. Yesterday's high was 33F and the low was 22F.

I don't have experience with 190s, but I don't see why they should be different than any other diesel. Sounds like your new diesel has a bad GP or two.

__________________
-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

did you notice that the tach showed rpm's and the oil pressure showed zero?
larry perkins

My 2.2 fires right up in 23 degrees F. Keep in mind I have replaced everything but the IP.

I've started my 190D as low as -5°F (without using the block heater) and it starts up just fine. It may stumble on one or two cylinders for a couple seconds, but it never stalls or needs a second starting attempt. At 20°F, the thought of it failing to start would never even cross my mind.

If the car you're talking about stalls or starts poorly when it's 20 to 30°F, that's not normal; it should have no problems at that temperature. [Sorry, that's probably not what you wanted to hear...]

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1989 250TD Wagon 5-speed, 160,000mi ::: Dark gray metallic / black cloth
1984 190D-2.2 5-speed, 287,000mi ::: Silver-blue metallic / black MB-tex ::: SOLD

If he isn't driving the car regularly-- it stands to reason that he isn't keeping up with the maintenence schedule either.

Adjust the valves, spend 30 dollars on new fuel filters and then see where you are. Hearsay is no reason to get all worked up.

*edit*

These lil guys haven't got any need for valve adjustments-- Just thought about that!

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http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...Untitled-1.jpg

It will fire right up at that temp most likely. Like they said it may stumble a little on one or two cylinders. The glow time on the 190D is almost instantaneous compared to my 616. No valves to adjust on the 190D. Extra fuel filters on hand not a bad idea.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

Hi, as said before if battery in good condition and glow plugs are working it should start immediately. If it is colder I would pre-glow it twice. Engine has hydraulic lifters and does not need valve adjustment. Good luck with the car and let us know how it went. Engine should still be good for quite a few add. miles. Have an 86 W201 D 2.5L

Just called the seller. Not sure if I am feeling better or worse.

The guy is not a dealer, just someone who buys a lot of cars he finds interesting, keeps em for a while, then sells. I have done the same thing myself. This car allegedly had one owner who he knows and bought it from.

I am not certain if he knows much about diesels (or is just BSing me) as he was telling me that this one "does not have glow plugs" which is the only reason it sometimes takes a 2nd or 3rd try. I said, "huh, how can it not have glow plugs". He replied that he does not see a glow plug light like on other diesels when he turns it on so he figured it does not have glow plugs.

OK, so we now know that the glow plug light is not working. What would be the likely cause of this? If something simple it could be a good sign in that he is just not waiting for them to cycle. On the other hand could it be inidicative of a bigger problem. Thoughts?

I'll bet he's not seeing the light. Mine is on the left side of the row of idiot lights and is usually obscured by the steering wheel unless I look out for it. In bright light is impossible to see. It's not as sheltered by the dash overhang as the 123's are. Check the fuse next. Other's here will be more knowledgeable about glow plug diagnostics.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

Sounds like a gasser dude starting a diesel. Ask him to turn the key to run and not crank it. Tell you if the GP light comes on at all.

I don't know how the glow plug light functions as a problem indicator on the 190d but I'm guessing there's something wrong with the glow plug system which would explain why it takes a couple of times to get it running. Could be as simple as a bad plug or two.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

A couple of comments from my 190Dt experience:

When cold, it will start rough, but won't stall/quit. I suppose that if you started it without touching the loud pedal and released the key as soon as you hear it hit it could and probably would stall. The owner's manual for that car says to push the pedal down (1/2 way?) until it runs smoothly and ease it back to idle at colder temps (have to look up the temp in the book).

The 190Dt has afterglow, so when starting really cold it doesn't hurt to turn the key on first, let the light go out as you buckle in and get settled, a few extra seconds of glow time (with the light out) will lead to a quicker/smoother start. At 30F mine will turn about 2-3 compressions and then hit.

If the glow-plug light doesn't illuminate (I believe it is an LED), far right end of the idiot-light row, that indicates that there is a glow-plug out. I believe that it will be number 1, or two or more of the remaining (2-5) plugs to turn off the light, however I further believe that something in the manual says that the light will flash after starting when the engine is attempting afterglow if there's a fault. Might be wrong on the last point, it's been a while since I read the manual.

Anyway, sounds like a glow-plug fault (or relay or ?? in the glow-plug circuit).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff