Winterizing your 300D - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

toomany MBZ · #16 10-20-2007, 05:58 AM

An additive preferred by many is Power Service, you add it to the fuel tank before pumping so it will mix. There is a white jug, anti-gelling, injector cleaning, and a gray jug, for use with ulsd, that's about everywhere, so that's what I use in winter. Both have cetane boost, which will help for cold weather starts. Available at auto part stores, or the local mega-mart.

Paul W · #17 10-20-2007, 08:19 AM

At what temps do you start to add the Power Service?

FRANKNBENZ · #18 10-20-2007, 11:18 AM

OK, so a poet I ain't.

Proper oil weight for each season is the key. I go with the Castrol Diesel stuff for two reasons: $7.77 a gallon; change filters and oil every 2.5K miles.

The diesels use Power Service year round, per the sappy title above...easier for others in the family to remember when I'm overseas for long periods.

I use PS gray jug at temps above 40F, the white at or under. Here's the scoop from the PS website:
http://www.powerservice.com/dfs/

You can also look into installing a block heater (search threads), but I understand it's a PITA to get a 20+year old plug out of the block. I never did the job. Check this: one of my used 300D's came from Houston

with a funny plug hanging out from under the radiator (no, not an electric car; it's the block heater lead). This one stays outside, the other, without the heater, stays inside.

Good luck.

Hatterasguy · #19 10-20-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Its not always "until the battery dies" I knew I had lost the battle about half way one of the times I failed. It was cranking at normal speed, started firing, then stopped firing, and was still cranking at normal speed. I waited a minute, glowed, tried again, no luck....just rotated with no firing, and died.

Below 5-10F its one shot. This winter I will be heading into with freshly adjusted valves, a MB battery

, good glowplugs, and Mobil 1 5w40 in the sump. I doubt I'll have any issues. I only did once last winter, and that was when it was -12F outside and I forgot to plug it in, and had a sub-par battery.

If you're by an outlet, a quick and easy way for a sure start is to turbo-boost the starter.

Buy one of those (good quality) charger/starter units. One with the 100Amp Start Capacity. Clip to battery, give it the 20A charge cycle for 5 mins or so, then flip it to 100A start mode, quick jump in the car, give a 5-7 second glow, and crank. It will turn over like Zeus is feeding the starter.

I started mine on the -12F day in 3 seconds with this setup. It was so cold that the hot water I poured on the engine to try and help it, froze in about 10 seconds.

But the Mega starter unit did it. Cranks about 30% faster than on battery alone. (its getting a solid 14-15 volts and unlimited juice from the thing...) I recommend it. This winter if I should have any super cold days I am not even going to mess around, I'll whip that thing out right away.

Yeah I noticed that to. These engines are almost like "primed" you get one shot and if you lose it your in for a battle. Fuel must soak the cylinders and cool them off, or something like that.

I cheated on my SD, I carred a can of liquid candy!

Spray, spray vroom we have life.

I wouldn't recomend that with a good engine.

F18 · #20 10-20-2007, 11:49 AM

Gabiel..ditto all the above suggestions. One more thing...get AAA or make sure your up to date with your membership. The one time you need to have your frozen/ gell'd up MB towed from your apartment to a near by garage to "defrost" it will pay for itself......

Paul W · #21 10-20-2007, 01:49 PM

I was changing the coolant the other day and while under the car I noticed that the car came with a block heater from the MB factory. All I had to do was order the cord. Ordered it last week from fastlane but have not gotten it yet to try it. You may want to just check to see if you have one. Reading the first post he is in an apartment so not sure how much a block heater will help out. I know there are a couple of places here that have parking spots for diesels that have AC out lets for people to use.

toomany MBZ · #22 10-20-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul W

At what temps do you start to add the Power Service?

Like Frankenbenz sez, there you go. I think I do overkill. Around here, it doesn't get that cold, maybe 15 for a couple of days, but I'm gonna put as much in my favor as possible. I use PS only in winter.
Crude oil hit an all time high today. Average price $3.04 a gallon for diesel.

Some folks are discussing block heaters, that's a help too, yet around here there are not any outlets near any parking spot anywhere. Said heater will do as it's name implies, keep the block warm, but I don't think there is any heating device in the oil pan. I don't know how much it will help with fuel gel, esp. with WVO, or bio. The metal lines that run from the tank to the engine compartment don't receive any heat, so if your fuel is gelled...

Hope this helps.