What I guess i'm asking is, should my '78 240d 4spd be able to start in warmer weather without glowing first? 128,000MI on it.

Thanks!

I've always felt like they just ought to as well... but the fact is, their age and design makes these Mercs tend to dislike non-glowed starts. I have no idea why they are so much more finicky than any other diesel I use... but yes, they like to be glowed whenever you can.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

i disagree with busted. if your engine temp will still register on the temp gauge at at least 60*c i don't think you need to glow

__________________
-Trevor

OBK #12
1980 300SD 333,XXX miles - Totaled
1986 Mazda RX-7 212,XXX miles - impounded and auctioned off
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited 33,000- SEGR, Provent, Fumoto

batteries are cheaper than starters.

may as well glow.

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'79 300SD
'82 Chevy Chevette diesel

Will not the Pre-Glow relay determine (based on the engine temperature) if the
Glow cycle is necessary?

Trust your Mercedes.

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

first start in the morning... glow.
after that, it depends on the compression and condition of your motor...
but I gotta agree... batteries are loads cheaper and waaaaaaaay easier to replace than starters.

__________________
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!

I firmly agree with the last two (three?) posts. Starter motors are hard on batteries anyway and diesels are especially hard because of the high compression. That's why most Mercedes come with that huge battery. Anything you can do (like always glowing) to make it easier on the entire starting system is worth it, IMHO.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

My 603 will start without glowing if it has been less than ten to fifteen minutes after shutdown. If it's been longer than that, there is a noticable cranking delay.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Once again guys, thanks for all the replies!!! One other thing, does the 'oil cap dance' check REALLY determine the health on the engine or not?? Isn't there always gonna be positive pressure once you release the cap???

Thanks again to ALL!

It's the degree to which you have pressure that is the determinant. The more blow-by, the more wear is generally assumed.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I've never seen it, but I heard that a new engine can actually have a slight suction in the crankcase.

OTOH, I used to have a 351 Windsor (Ford) with so much blowby that it would push oil out the dipstick tube. I drove it like that for over a year.

__________________
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 never used the glow plugs on my SD when it was at operating temp. The newer engines need a complete glow cycle every time you start them, but the older ones don't seem to.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I used to have cranking issues with my SDL. When warm.

After I advanced the timing a bit, it starts quickly, even after sitting for 4 hours! I never use the plugs after a morning start anymore, in warmer weather,

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Once the engine is warm, get in and crank.

Yep, as long as the temp gauge registers, you're good do go on mine. Usually starts right up on the second or third rev with a warm engine and no glow.

__________________
Dale

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...MG_2277sig.jpg

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo -155k
2000 E430 - 103k
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel 4x4 - 11k
2014 VW Passat TDI SE - 7k Bro's Diesel
2006 E320 CDI - 128k Pop's Benz

Pre-glow - A moment of silence in honor of Rudolph Diesel