my 1983 300d wont start unless i use starting fluid ,outside temp is not too cold around 40 to 45 degrees ,once started it starts up if it hasnt sat too long , i would love to repair this problem, thank you all very much,it is a great forum ,also replaced the air filter ,so please help asap.??

I am not sure of what the problem is now, but if you continue to use starting fluid, you are asking for mafor problems. Use WD-40 if you absolutely have to, but never starting fluid. The first place to look is at your fuel filters and the cleaning of you injectors and pump system. Try doing a diesel purge, the change both filters.

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Dave
1983 300D Daily Driver

NO, the first thing you do is check your glow plugs! Do a search for the procedure as it is in here hundreds of places.....

**edit**
Here is a link to a usefull procedure. With pics.......

http://www.dieselgiant.com/glowplugrepair.htm

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

wouldnt the glow plugs be fine ,when the car is starting fine after the first start up using starter fluid? please be as precise as possible, i have read many post stating from vacume lines to choke on this and i need to be clear on it,the glow plugs are working,how good,i dont know,it runs fine after the morning shot of fluid,thank you all.

I read your post to state that your car has issues with the first start of the day when the car is completely cold, so you must use starting fluid. Then after it has been started and runs it will restart fine.
If I misunderstood your dilemma, well I guess never mind........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

on a diesel motor, the glow plugs are just for starting the motor.
they warm the prechamber so the mist of fuel ignites easier. follow the link above to dieselgiant's page, and figure out what is wrong with your glow plugs before you destroy your valves or prechambers with starting fluid. get a full set of working plugs in there and your car will start up after 30 seconds of glow smooth and easy.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Something obviously is not working right if you need the fluid (which as stated you should NEVER use on a diesel, due to high risk of causing a runaway/ damaging cylinder walls from lack of lubrication/ causing an overly powerful explosion that damages the engine internally).
If you're going to fix it you need to not assume things work, but to go through a sytematic series of steps.
1. Check glow plug system, make sure strip fuse is ok, verify 11.5-12v at the plugs when the GP relay is energized, verify around 1 ohm of resistance at each GP terminal to the head with the harness plug disconnected from the relay. Once that first start, you have fired the cylinder and heated the walls which will allow it to start again as you have said.
2. Check for a small leak allowing air to creep into the fuel system overnight.
3. Check compression, low compression will cause hard cold starting.
4. Check inj. pump timing/timing chain stretch.
5. Check both fuel filters and tank strainer. (though not likely the issue if it runs fine after the first start)

Report back with your results.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

Glow plugs. First thing to check.

98% possibiility that is the problem.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

First of all have you actually checked the glowplugs with a voltmeter to see if they are working? Because if you didn't you are merely assuming. And, don't use starting fluid.

Adjust the valves, check for bad glowplugs with a voltmeter and replace as necessary.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

When I got my first 240D- a 1979- several things were wrong and it would not start consistently:

1. Bad, corroded grounds on neg cable, plus it was loose.
2. Loose alternator belt that never turned the starter fast enough.
3. Three out of four glow plugs dead after 189,000 miles on them.
4. Old cracked fuel lines with hairline cracks that let air inside
5. Slightly plugged fuel filters
6. Loose linkage under the loose air cleaner which would occasionally collapse and block all air into the engine.

Did # and 4 first, the car started usually. Did the rest it starts all the time.

Moral: when you get a car, baseline it. Inspect, check, replace and note intervals.