My '83 300D (377k miles) is showing it's age. In the morning after a cold (~20F) night it's difficult to start. Compression is not great, as you can guess, but I'm not interested in rebuilding the engine. I already use Delvac 1.

Plugging in the standard issue block heater helps.

Would installing & using a radiator hose style block heater (~$85.00) greatly ease the struggle in the morning?

I'm trying to guage the investment.

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

search for "zerostart" on eBay and get one of those heaters for $25 or less. Then just make it yourself with your existing lower radiator hose. It'll save you 60 bucks.

On the coldest nights I plug in both of my block heaters. They seem to warm different areas so I get more "complete" warmth coverage for those über-cold nights.

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'79 300SD
'82 Chevy Chevette diesel

$85- way too much- unless that's the price installed.

I would get one from ebay/ jcwhitney/ auto parts store for $25 or less, then pick up a new lower hose for $15 and keep the old one in the trunk, incase the new one bursts from the extra heat.

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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.

I think you want the 1 1/2 inch model.

http://www.tractorpartsinc.com/radiator_hose_heaters_271_ctg.htm

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



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