Starting a diesel thats been sitting for a long time

[graysilm]

Hello, its been a while...a while since I logged onto this forum and a while since I last drove my 2006 E320CDI. 12/23/2020 is when I parked my car...14 moths ago. It was running fine when I parked it. I need to get it started and back on the road. I haven't tried to start it yet because I have to admit, I'm a little scared about what may or may not happen when I try. I bought a new battery to put in it before I attempt to crank the engine. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should, or shouldn't do when I go attempt to start the engine? Or have anything that I should watch out for or be aware of? Thanks for reading and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will be reporting back and uneventful startup very soon.

[Sugar Bear]

It will be fine. Check all the fluids.

I’d try to start it without glowing it so that it cranks to move some oil up before it ignites. Ten second cranks, let the stater cool for two minutes in between. If it doesn’t start after the second attempt then glow it.

Focus on the oil pressure, it should be up in five seconds max of running. Make sure it doesn’t overheat and DRIVE ON!

Good luck and please post back to close the thread.

[graysilm]

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

It will be fine. Check all the fluids.

I’d try to start it without glowing it so that it cranks to move some oil up before it ignites. Ten second cranks, let the stater cool for two minutes in between. If it doesn’t start after the second attempt then glow it.

Focus on the oil pressure, it should be up in five seconds max of running. Make sure it doesn’t overheat and DRIVE ON!

Good luck and please post back to close the thread.

Good points. Unfortunately with this car I don't know if there is even a way to view the oil pressure. That car doesn't even have an oil dipstick

[Sugar Bear]

Either way it will be fine.

[dieselbenz1]

14 months is not that long I routinely have one vechile I don't start for 18 months or more.

[graysilm]

I will be attempting to start the car tomorrow morning. It has been sitting outside for 14 months, through the heat of the summer and some moderately cold temperatures. I live on the coast in the southeastern part of North Carolina. We typically don't see many extreme temperatures and that has held true during the time the car has been sitting. Humidity is a different story....we get a whole lot. Where i'm going with this is; do you think it would be a good idea for me to put some Power Services Biocide and PS Clear Diesel fuel and tank cleaner in tonight and let it marinate overnight in my tank?

Lastly, I'd like to elaborate on the reason that I'm a bit nervous about starting the car and it has to do with the inability to physically check the fluid levels of several major components, ie engine oil, tranny fluid. MB did a great job of making sure the not so essential fluids like windshield washer and power steering are extremely easy to check but the most important ones that will cause catastrophic failure when they get too low are impossible to check. I have a tranny dipstick for my old 99 E300TD and that car had an oil dipstick. I have heard that dipsticks for the 06 E320CDI are available. I would really like to have some. If anyone knows where to get them please share. Thank you

[dieselbenz1]

You know you can read the engine oil level by using the instrument cluster.

[shertex]

How are the brake rotors after sitting that long?

[Hogweed]

he could also change the oil and that way you have fresh oil for the start up and know there is the correct amount

Originally Posted by dieselbenz1

You know you can read the engine oil level by using the instrument cluster.

[t walgamuth]

Rotors will have some rust, probably will wear off if not too deep.