13 degrees wasnt kind to me today - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

argus445 · #1 02-04-2009, 07:16 AM

So i get off work it's 13 degrees i wait about 30 seconds cranks right up idles about time i step out the door to go back inside work it dies.

Course i say few choice words then wait another 30 sec or so try it agian the starter kicks out about 3-5 secs into starting this repeats like 5 times so i stop go back inside and wait about 10 minutes.

Coming back out it seems keep to just be flooded for lack of better word the starter turns but the engine just turns doesnt start normally it at leasts hits and such this carrys on for about 2-3 minutes on/off so i get my booster pack 600a battery out of the back.

After crank another 2-3 minutes it finally cranked after catching then me giving it about 3/4 floor. I'm just curious since i've never had issue with it starting most of time it will hit on a few cylinders at least could the fuel be a issue?

pawoSD · #2 02-04-2009, 07:33 AM

Idle might be set a bit low, and when its that cold you should have held it around 1000-1100 rpm for a minute or two before you let off the throttle if you know its iffy about keeping going.

You probably let the engine get internally soaked with cold fuel, and your battery was drained......causing the failure to start.

When its that cold you can't mess around. Stay and be its friend for a few minutes to make sure it keeps running ok.

dieseldan44 · #3 02-04-2009, 09:55 AM

I know it was cold, but maybe one or more of the glow plugs are marginal and have drifted up from the .7 ohms they should measure.

and another thought, this same type of thing started happening to me as my alternator was dying. starts a got a little harder (second crank instead of first, and then third instead of second) for a few days until the battery was drained completely. maybe check the charging voltage at the battery as well as the voltage regulator's brushes for peace of mind.

dd

Novice · #4 02-04-2009, 04:49 PM

Is the fuel gelling maybe? Do you have the winter mix diesel in the tank?

tyl604 · #5 02-04-2009, 04:52 PM

Could be valve adjustment; remember every 15,000 miles. My 81 300SD started in about 1.5 seconds and ran great with 14 degrees in Atlanta this AM.

bgkast · #6 02-04-2009, 04:56 PM

It is strange it died after starting and idling awhile. 13 degrees should not be cold enough for gelling with straight diesel, are you running a bio blend?

argus445 · #7 02-05-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

It is strange it died after starting and idling awhile. 13 degrees should not be cold enough for gelling with straight diesel, are you running a bio blend?

It turns out i must have gotten alot of fuel inside the engine in my failed attempts at starting. The engine just sounded muffled when it was cranking like none of the cylinders were even trying to hit which i've never experianced. today it was 16 vs 13 degrees and it started like a champ. tho so i guess i just got it choked out with raw fuel. All my glow plugs starter and batterys are new as of 3 months ago.