Its cold here in Indiana and my old 300td just doesn't like cold weather. I can't get it to start lately and I think its because its been too cold. So I installed a diesel giant block heater. Now I've read through the install instructions and it says DO NOT use block heater until you've ran the car a few days in order to remove air from system (the heating element will burn out if it encounters an air bubble. So I need to start my car in order to use my block heater, but I can't start my car unless I use the block heater. Any suggestions on other ways to heat my block to get out of this vicious cycle. I know you all will have the answer..thanks

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'85 300td Frybrid WVO Kit

Glow the plugs for about 2 minutes before you try to start it and press the accelerator to the floor once but DO NOT touch it again until the engine starts to catch.

Remember, the glowplugs stay on for about a minute no matter what the light on the dash is doing.

Even my old engine can start on it's own below 0*F without a block heater, I know yours should.

Hmmmm? I've installed a couple of those block heaters and never followed Diesel giant's advice. It seems VERY unlikely to me that there is going to be an air bubble in the lower radiator hose. The air will rise up to the top of the system.
If you're worried, loosen the top fitting of the lower radiator hose and make sure coolant drips out. If it does, the heater should be sitting in coolant and it's ok to fire it up.
Or, wait for spring.

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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

The most obvious solution is to get it inside a garage somewhere it can warm up enough to start on its own.

Other questions in my mind are the condition of the glow plug system and the valve adjustment. I just checked the weather in Fort Wayne (I assume that's your area or reasonably close to it) and it's warmer there than it is here. My junk is high-mileage but has good plugs and current valve adjustment and has been starting without having to plug in.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I wish I had access to a heat garage and had the man power to push it there...also I Can't wait till spring. My neighbor gets pissed when my car sits during the winter (causing his parking spot to get plowed in...we have street parking). I think the issue is air bubbles working their way to the element once the convection cycle begins. What does everyone else think...is dieselgiant being too precautious??

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'85 300td Frybrid WVO Kit

Yes. I'd use it.

Air rises in water. I don't see how air bubbles could stay around the heater.

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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

Pull start it

You could try to some how make a vacuum on the end of the radiator cap to pull out any air bubbles. Just use the block heater if its in the lower radiator hose i see no problem with air bubbles being present down there. plus if it is as cold as it sounds the element on the heater wont burn out that quick.

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http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...titled-1-3.jpg
1981 300d

installed one of those myself. No problems with anything, I didn't drive it around first either (well I drove it for about 20 minutes for a coolant flush, but that was it).

Just plug it in and use it. If it does kill it, send it back to him and tell him it doesn't work and you'd like a replacement.

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'79 300SD
'82 Chevy Chevette diesel

check yer gloplugs. my TD w/ 298K on it starts in sub zero temps no problems- if all 5 GP's are working. I do valve adjustments every fall.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

first off remove the top radiator hose , fill with coolant(bet its already full),heat it and go.
i have used hot water from the sink to heat older engines when they wont go on their own. it may take a few trips but if you keep pouring on hot warer to the engine top and all it needed is some heat it will go.
larry perkins