Unable to use block heater... Can I Charcol? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bustedbenz · #31 12-05-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

LOL, I though we were talking about real fuel.

Same here

junqueyardjim · #32 12-05-2007, 01:42 PM

Pull the battery out! Take it in the house. If you have a little 2 or 5 amp charger hook it up also. Bring that battery out in the AM, all charged up and hot to trot. That battery will be more then twice as good as if you left it in the car all night. If that won't get it started, you might consider a better car or take the bus.

toomany MBZ · #33 12-05-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bstef

No problems starting, after two cycles. Didn't even try one.
Uneven firing of the engine freaks me out.

I regularly cycle my heat plugs twice when chilly, sometimes when not... Is this bad? No.
I most likely should replace them, Yes. as the reason I do it was-
even during warm temps one cylinder doesn't always heat enough, and thus no combustion.

Someone wrote "just dont start the engine till 30 seconds after the light goes out..." You'll hear a click when it stops heating, not when the light goes off.
I just cycle it again when it goes out... Light on.... Light off... ClicK, Light on..... Light off... Start.

I figured when the light is out, the plug is no longer heating... Incorrect.
?

Also, my battery is new. Good.
Turns out I gave sears a perfect battery when I bought the new one...
It was the voltage reg. $130 dollar lesson learned. Sorry to hear you paid dearly.

At the auto store yesterday I couldn't find any diesel additives for cold weather. Power Service Diesel Kleen in the white jug has anti gel properties.

"Diesel Kleen supplement" I'll be on the lookout for, Thankz.

Again- I think you should know- You all have fixed this car, and taught me how to myself. Thanks.
I knew nothing about cars last April.
Now I'm giving my mechanic hints.

Still learning.... always....

Glad to hear your learning, keep asking.

Bstef · #34 01-25-2008, 05:02 AM

Yeah, sure enough, it's been Zero degrees here, car wont start below 8F. Still cant get a spot near my apartment here in chicago to plug in. Diesel has de-gel in it, but that apparently also gels below zero.

Simply waiting for 12-20F weather again.
Currently -4F, before windchill.

Chicago is Siberia, I saw this coming.

#35 01-25-2008, 05:12 AM

Webasto fuel fired heater is always an option. Way back when they made them for our cars. Not cheap but a great alternative if a block heater is not an option.

turbobenz · #36 01-25-2008, 07:00 AM

can you get a diesel fired heater? Id imagine it would be difficult, as it would need to be a pressure stove type thing to burn the oil

#37 01-25-2008, 07:04 AM

http://www.webasto.com.au/am/en/am_auto_heaters_734.html
http://www.batmanuk.com/pdfs/thermotopc.pdf

networkboy · #38 01-25-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

When the PO on my SD went skiing when it was almost new thats what he did. NFW a 617 starts on the side of a mountain at -25-30 without being plugged in.

His was the only car they worked, the gas cars wouldn't even start it was so freaken cold.

Your only going to burn maybe a gallon leaving it running all night, just make sure no one can smash the window and drive it away, in the city that would probably happen.

So... A mod I've been planning on is a pnumatic switch in series with my key. Switch in "run override" then even if you pull the key the car keeps running. You could achieve the same thing by pulling the IP vac line. Either way, you'll be down one window, but no way they'll steal one of these with that steering wheel lock from hell....

vstech · #39 01-25-2008, 11:01 AM

when we lived in SD (temps routinely got down 10-20 BELOW 0°F... ) my dad not only took the battery in, AND the antifreeze... in the morning he would put the big pot of antifreeze on the stove and heat it up a few hundred degrees and pour it back into the motor...
and this was one of those pukey GM 5.7 diesels... started her every time!

AMH · #40 01-25-2008, 12:33 PM

Apparently he is shopping at Auto Zone or Advance, good places to buy spark plugs and wax.

NAPA will have your Power Services diesel additive.

I do like the charcoal idea, I'll prop my feet up and enjoy the show while pouring a glass of sippin' whiskey.

michael cole · #41 01-25-2008, 12:59 PM

i like the charcoal idea.maybe covered with a little tinfoil.the essence of simplicity.keep a small fire extinguisher on hand just in case

vstech · #42 01-25-2008, 01:16 PM

Hmm, we are all thinking charcoal in an open coal arrangement. how about a bed warmer type deal? a large heavy Iron container with hot coals in it with a closed lid... it may work?