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  #1  
Old 12-09-2008, 01:33 AM
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New Starter Questions - Which is really HD?

Hey folks,

My 1982 300SD started great in the 30s, and the upper 20s, but now with it currently 10 deg. F. outside, she just does not spin fast enough. Thanks to the forum, 5w40 oil is first on my list. Car has new GP and relay but boy does she spin s-l-o-w when it's this cold out.

Went through all the posts on starters and everyone references the Heavy Duty starter as the one to use on the car. My problem is, having gone through the NAPA site before FastLane, I see that us Mercedes 617 owners have two choices: a 2.0Kw starter and a 2.3Kw starter.

I'd far prefer to save my money and give Phil my business through Fastlane - Fastlane recommends the Bosch SR 67 X Heavy Duty starter - but I also see this listed as fitting the 240 series cars - which by my logic were non-turbo cars and as thus were never fitted with a turbo or HD starter.

Looking further online, there's a huge gamut of rebuilt starters out there, enough to make one's eyes bleed. Which is the true Heavy Duty / Turbo starter out there? If I'm going to be replacing this in 14 deg. F. weather, I dang well would prefer to run the strongest starter possible!

Many thanks to the forum for all their help and assistance. If I had the $$, I'd install an Espar and end all cold starting issues.

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  #2  
Old 12-09-2008, 07:37 AM
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If your parking setup allows it, a lower radiator hose(1.5") heater would be the cheapest solution($20ish). If you're brave you could try and install a block heater.
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  #3  
Old 12-09-2008, 08:08 AM
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A company called ISKRA sells their own starter that turns the engine about 25 RPM faster than the Bosch starters.

Keeping the engine warm overnight is the best solution, and you have heat in the morning!
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  #4  
Old 12-09-2008, 09:38 AM
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A Mean Green starter might be the best choice. From what I've read in the past on this board, a turbo starter is superior to an NA starter. Just don't get a starter for a CA model if you don't have one. The solenoid is in a different position.
Before I replaced the starter, I'd switch to synthetic oil. I just switched from Dino to synthetic in my Fuso FG and I was surprised at how much faster the engine spun while starting even at 30 degrees. I'm sure that at 10 degrees, synthetic oil will improve starting rpm's by more than 25.
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Old 12-09-2008, 10:56 AM
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switching to synthetic oil lowered my cold starting point by at least 20*F.

7*, no go, now it starts down to -15* or so. I usually like to plug in that cold, though.
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Old 12-09-2008, 11:32 AM
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Before sinking money into a new starter, what type, size and condition is your battery?

Also, have you cleaned the cable connections? Ensure, especially the ground connections, are clean, tight and some folks seal with laquer to prevent corrosion. Beefing those up to the next larger size, especially the batt-chassis, should help also.

Every time I have run across a slow starter in cold conditions, it was usually a battery-related problem. And certainly less expensive and easier to repair.
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  #7  
Old 12-09-2008, 12:08 PM
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Mine starts good

But it cranked slow with 5W 40. A little over a year ago, I switched to Mobil One sythethic. It starts better now outside at 10 below then it did before when I garaged it and would start it at 15 to 20 above. I do use the glow plug routine twice on real cold mornings, two cycles of 30 to 40 seconds each, and it fires off just really nice.
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  #8  
Old 12-09-2008, 12:30 PM
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If you can put a trickle charger on the car, the battery will be both warm and fully charged in the morning. Cold batteries don't provide as many "cold cranking amps" as warm ones. If you can't run a cord to the car, how about a second battery that lives inside where it's warm, hooked up to a trickle charger. Carry it out to the car (or put it on a cart), jump the car's battery, and you have lots of starting power.
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Old 12-09-2008, 01:13 PM
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Where can you find the lower radiator hose heater for $20ish? All of the ones I have seen are about $70 or $80. My block heater is not working and have been looking at this type heater. Any links would be great.
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  #10  
Old 12-09-2008, 02:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 81veggiebenz View Post
Where can you find the lower radiator hose heater for $20ish? All of the ones I have seen are about $70 or $80. My block heater is not working and have been looking at this type heater. Any links would be great.
Search on my name and lower radiator hose heater. I recently posted a link of an ebay seller who has them for about $10-15. Or just search on Ebay for Zerostart hose heaters. You need 1 1/2" for a 123.
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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
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  #11  
Old 12-09-2008, 06:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SD Blue View Post
Before sinking money into a new starter, what type, size and condition is your battery?

Also, have you cleaned the cable connections? Ensure, especially the ground connections, are clean, tight and some folks seal with laquer to prevent corrosion. Beefing those up to the next larger size, especially the batt-chassis, should help also.

Every time I have run across a slow starter in cold conditions, it was usually a battery-related problem. And certainly less expensive and easier to repair.
Many thanks for all the help! The battery is a new, top of the line spiral-core NAPA rated at 1050CCA; not sure on the condition of the wires - that is worth double-checking.

As far as the starter, I'd like to be able to positively ID the PN# for the stronger Turbo starter - I'm sure the one on the car is the original and after 26 years and 331,000 miles, I'm certain it's a little more than tired.

The forums mentioned several people who couldn't believe the difference between a new and old starter. Just be nice to make sure I'm putting on the right one!

Thanks again,

-James

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