Cold weather diesel starting poll

[New2MB]

I live in south eastern Michigan where it can get fairly cold in the winter especially considering windchill. I have never driven a diesel in the winter here but noticed that those that do leave them running during the day and plug them in overnight.

My question is this; during winter is it possible to drive a diesel to work, park it without being plugged in (no outlet for me) and have it start back up?

Feel free to make your own assumptions as to what would need to be modified on the vehicle in order to make this possible. Unfortunately the Mean Green starter is not available for my SDL.

[Brian Carlton]

A 603 will start at 0°F. after sitting overnight, without a block heater, with a 30 second glow, provided that the engine has decent compression.

Most 603 engines on the forum will perform similarly, so, the compression doesn't need to be the same as an engine with zero miles.

[kerry]

It all depends. You could buy a small gasoline generator to power an electric block heater or you could install a diesel fired warming system. You could park it over a city heat vent. Mine has started at 35 below zero without assistance. I wouldn't count on it doing that on a daily basis. All parameters need to be spot on for reliable cold weather starts. Take a look at all the posts about glow plugs and look at the dates on the posts.

[babymog]

I live in SW Michigan, similar climate I'm sure.

If I didn't have a garage or place to plug in overnight, I might consider having a diesel a bit problematic. The night being the coldest, and the longest time parked, it's nice to have it sheltered. Neither of my 300Ds have the block heater cord BTW.

During the day, it is usually 10-20F warmer, and you usually have the opportunity to start it during lunch et al if necessary on an unusually cold day. Normally though, lows here are in the teens, and that's just a longer glow and a lumpy start.

Wind chill BTW has no affect on inanimate objects, it is a calculated number that indicates a comparison of how fast the wind & cold will chill bare skin. If it is 20degrees out with no wind, the engine will cool to 20degrees. If it is 20degrees with 100mph wind, the engine will cool to 20degrees. It will affect how fast the engine will cool however, on very cold & windy days I try to park with the car parked facing downwind, it slows the engine cooling and prevents snow/ice packing the engine compartment during winter storms.

Anyway, I've had more trouble with water in gasoline than with diesel startup so far in my life. Winter diesel fuel is good for pretty cold temps, winter additives to prevent moisture help further, and very important is a good battery to glow the plugs well and have enough left for good starter RPMs.

[pawoSD]

I've not had any real problems with my car in the winter...a couple times it wouldn't start at about -13F...because of a weak battery and my starter is iffy...it slows when cold out. Other than those few times, it has always started reliably. Another good idea, and one which aided my car, is to switch to a 5w40 diesel synthetic oil, it flows freely at those real cold temps, and allows the engine to spin over longer and start better....not to mention lubricates better at those temps (and all other temps as well)

Oh, and if its super cold out....I cheat now and use my 100A starter/charger unit. It cranks the engine over at MEGA speed. Started it in like 2 seconds when it was -13F. So if its below -5 out I'll quick clamp it to the battery, flip it to "100A Start" mode, do a quick glow, and turbo-crank it, works amazingly well.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by New2MB

I live in south eastern Michigan where it can get fairly cold in the winter especially considering windchill. I have never driven a diesel in the winter here but noticed that those that do leave them running during the day and plug them in overnight.

My question is this; during winter is it possible to drive a diesel to work, park it without being plugged in (no outlet for me) and have it start back up?

Feel free to make your own assumptions as to what would need to be modified on the vehicle in order to make this possible. Unfortunately the Mean Green starter is not available for my SDL.

Mine starts great at -20.

Cold weather starting links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/137674-cold-weather-starting-links-post1018529.html





Have a great day.

[BodhiBenz1987]

My 603 has started down to -7 ambient (wind chill has no effect on a car). It stumbles a bit and smokes but started in some pretty nasty weather in the PA mountains. However, you definately want optimal function of glowplugs, good compression, healthy battery, healthy injectors, etc. One little thing out of order and forget it. But if you keep it all up to snuff, I see no reason a 603 wouldn't be reliable, based on my experiences. Now, if you have three (plus?) bad glow plugs, that's another story ... under that condition my car wouldn't start when it was 60 degrees out.

[New2MB]

This is all very reassuring, thank you for the input and tips!

[lorenztl]

Originally Posted by New2MB

is it possible to drive a diesel to work, park it without being plugged in (no outlet for me) and have it start back up?

I purchased a 1995 E300D 2 years ago after owning two 1985 300D's. I noticed immediately it didn't have a plug. I asked my mercedes mechanic about installing it and he said why, you won't need it with this model.
That first winter on a cold -16 below zero morning when I didn't have appointments that day, I left it out overnight alongside my son's gas jetta. Without an engine heater, I glowed it the normal time and it started immediately to a normal smooth idle!! Never has been a concern with the E300D to start in any cold weather since. My son's gas jetta wouldn't start without a jump from my car. I was really impressed the E300D starts in any cold weather without any concern since. My 85 300D models won't start below about 5 to 10 degrees without engine heater plugged in.
Reliability!!!!

[pawoSD]

My dad's '83 started the first winter after we got it when we were in Mackinac City MI, waay up north, it was 12F out...here's the catch though, only TWO of the glowplugs still worked. Gave it a long glow, then cranked for....50 seconds, and it progressively finally fired up. LOTS of smoke and it wasn't a happy engine for the first 3-4 mins....but it did it! It felt like in the movie "Das Boat"

[Hatterasguy]

If your 603 is in good shape its not an issue. Make sure your glow plugs and battery are recent, and use synthetic oil. It will start as well as any gas car.

[nhdoc]

My '98 has started in sub zero weather after sitting out overnight without any trouble at all...I've never used the block heater.

[eyeguy]

I deal with the cold starting problem by storing mine in the garage in the snowy months. Otherwise my car (it's from California) would probably rust to pieces in a few years. They love to salt the roads here in MN.

[JimmyL]

It is JULY for heaven's sake!! I can't even wrap my small mind around cold temperature issues for at least 3-4 months. And here, even in winter we don't get into the 20's much. Hardly ever lower than that......

[vstech]

NC, 79 TD instant starts with glow no plugging in. down to 0°F... two plugs out, forget it.