Hello everyone,
Here is a dumb question, but I am going to ask anyway. The battery in my 86 300sdl is getting up there in age. It is now 8 years old. I am noticing that in the morning, the glow plugs are not getting very warm. I am surmising this because my car misfires and blows blue smoke when cold. It smooths right out as soon as I start driving. If I plug in my block heater, it starts perfectly fine in the morning.
I checked voltage on the battery and it is 12.0 volts. If I double glow plug it, then it won't turn the starter very well. I know it is time for a new battery, but the question is, will the glow plugs not get as hot as needed when the battery is old or low? The timer in the glow plug relay turns the light off just as it did when the battery was new.
I guess what I am asking is, could the low battery make it harder to get a good glow, or should I also look at replacing the glow plugs.
This car is no longer my daily driver. I came across a fantastic deal on a 2007 530i with only 2000 miles on it.
I know this is blasphemy, but man oh man, do I enjoy driving a new 530i every day.
I am not selling the Benz, I plan on driving it at least two days per week until my 14 year old gets his license and then I will let him drive the tank to school.
I can't think of a safer car for a 16 year old to drive.

John
86 300sdl 105,000 miles
85 380 se 160,000 miles
67 VW Beetle restored with A/C
07 BMW 530i
00 Toyota Camry ( daughter's car )
03 Honda Odyssey ( family vehicle )

( you should see my car insurance bill every month )

__________________
John
1986 300sdl
1985 380se