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#16
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In N.E. I've started my 240 down to the teens, but I've started plugging it in so I can reduce the cold running time. Especially with all the extra coolant lines for the V.O. it takes quite a bit to warm up.
As for wind chill, I thought it only affected wet objects, because the water evaporates with the wind, taking heat with it. Human skin I guess is damp enough to be affected. The engine should be dry, though, and not affected.
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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold 1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition |
#17
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' Wind chill' only affects things which produce their own heat.
Animals, humans.... it is the measure of how much faster that heat leaves the surface area of those heat producers compared to a no wind situation.
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1980 240d , chain elongation, cam marks reference: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html evap fin cleaning: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator A/C thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html |
#18
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I have 3 bad glow plugs on my 86 300sdl so when I get home from work, I immediately plug in my car and it stays plugged in and on all night long. When I leave at 6AM, my temp gauge is at 60 degrees already, and I really don't even need a glow cycle. Now when I leave work, I do chug a little for about 30 seconds because only 3 plugs are working. It also blows lots of blue smoke until it settles down.
By the way, I have INSTANT HEAT in the AM, NICE!!!!
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John 1986 300sdl 1985 380se |
#19
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One hour is enough for me. As noted in the excellent post above, check your grounds. Functioning glow plugs are also essential. Wind chill may not affect final temp but it will drive all the heat out of your car that may have lingered so it does have an effect on starting. When it is really cold any weakness in your starting will surface.
Keep warm!
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#20
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My dad just leaves his plugged in all the time.
I only use mine when its really cold (below 15F), but when I do its overnight.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#21
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Cold Start
Can't agree more w/comments making the car "cold ready"...last year (before glow plug change, battery and valve adjustment) I needed to plug it in 3-4 hours (on a timer) to get Ol Blue to start. I "tested" it this year when it was 9 degrees F. without the block heater, as I forgot to plug it in, and it fired right up w/NO complaint. A pleasant surprise.
Thinking that I'll continue to let the block heater 3 hours pre-dawn just to offset the cold start stress though. Oh, the previous comment regarding unplugging the block heater is a valid one! It's dam embarrasing backing out of your driveway onto a road (in traffic) and having to get out and coil up 50 feet of extension cord ... Now how would I know that ??? |
#22
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You think that’s embarrassing. I made it all the way to town one day (about 30 miles of four lane traffic) before having someone flag me down. I had been dragging the 50 foot cord the whole way. I was kinda wondering why no one was riding my but that day.
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1982 240D 617turbo 4-speed 225k miles ,boost and pyro gauges, home made two tank SVO setup 1982 240D "Cream Puff"auto 313k miles two tank SVO setup 1996 F-250 Powerstroke 186k miles, bone stock (possible donor for the 1970 F-350) 1970 F-350 "Bertha" 460, 4-spd, 72k miles, 12 foot flatbed, needs a diesel! |
#23
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ELR, etc.
Quote:
The attached picture is from my 1987 300D Turbo (W124, OM603), a different car, but yours should be similar. (The picture is an old one from another project; it's the only one I have showing that plug.) There is also a mechanical idle-adjustment screw on the fuel-injection pump but it should not need adjustment just because it's cold outside. Jeremy
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"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 |
#24
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I have found leaving the 400 watt block heater in my 300D plugged in overnight does make the engine start much easier in 20 F temps but it does not give instant cabin heat- 400 watt is not high enough for that. Plugging it in for 1 hour gives the same easy start so instead of wasting electricity I power it for just an hour before I need to start the engine..
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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now 83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD! 83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked |
#25
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Electric Timer
I picked up an electirc timer from K mart. I set it for three hour before I leave. No issues starting down to 6f so far this winter. Also i run delo 15-40. Have not switched to synthetic yet, trying to find all the oil leaks first
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86 300SDL. 250,xxx on #14 Head. One eye always on temp gauge.. Cruising towards 300K |
#26
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LOL! been there... now i always fix it so that it will unplug if I forget to do it.... I fix the cord onto something.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#27
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Plug it in all night here in Chicago. Wake up, crank the heat on and drive away without the cold diesel blues. Also noticed changing to synthetic tranny oil (PENTOSIN) helps immensely with the cold weather shifting.
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#28
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95 E300D
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#29
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Four hundred watts is about a nickle an hour operating costs if your hydro is about twelve cents per kw hour. I will not do the math but a timer in areas of long drawn out cold periods is worth the cost in my opinion.
Plus the lifespan of your block heater may be prolonged. You quickly become aware of the required run time to meet your needs. It also reduces much wear on the engine I would think. Even the starter and battery have an easier life. |
#30
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I run mine 1 to 2 hours before the morning start here in NC. It starts fine without the block heater but using it makes for a much quieter warm up...if you know what I mean. Plus the heat comes on much faster.
A cold diesel sure makes a lot of noise I find.
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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC 2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC 2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png |
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