Glow plugs are relatively cheap, and cold starts kill. Unless I KNOW the block is WELL HOT I always let it go full cycle.

I'm not in that much of a hurry, and anything I can do to proling the life of my pretty healthy engine, I'll do.

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83 300SD, Euro Delivery, Mesa Red, 275k, running strong & quick.

Stop Struggling and get free.

Here's my process.

I get in the car and shut the door.
I turn the key to glow.
I buckle up.
The glowplug light is off by now, so I begin cranking.

If it is below freezing, I will let it glow longer; up to three cycles depending upon how cold it is. This is why I answered "below 32".

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Don't cycle the key. The glowplug light is only a suggestion, the plugs keep glowing for up to a minute or until the starter is used.

Good to know. I always let the glow plugs go until the light goes out, but apparently, in cold weather, I could wait another 15~20 seconds.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I go by the light. Nothing more has ever been needed, even in -2F mornings. Starts instantly every time.

__________________

If temperature is warm enough, I just go by the light.

If below freezing I wait until I hear the click of the relay opening. This takes about 45 seconds. I then cycle the key again. The number of times I do this depends upon how far below freezing the temperature is.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Is this true for MB diesels made from '97 - on too, Forced?

Someone called it observing a moment of silence for Dr. Diesel

Between seatbelt, sunglasses and pre-flight activities, the light goes out before I'm ready to turn the key.

Sixto
87 300D