Cold Start Tips Needed! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GregMN · #1 12-13-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

MB designed the starters to run for long periods of time in cold weather. The MB manuals say to keep cranking it until it starts and to use the starter to keep it running on a few cylinders until enough are firing to keep it going. Gassers are a different matter.

I have cranked for well over a minute. Do not touch the accelerator, adding more cold fuel cools the chamber. Once it starts to fire, keep the starter engaged until it is running and responds to slight application of the accelerator.

My first advice to people is to adjust their valves every Oct., but you have already done that.

Plug it in if you can.
Change to 5-40 oil for the dead of winter.

Cycle glow plugs twice.
Crank the starter until it starts and don't let off until it is running.

Get some 6 gauge jumper cables if you can find them.

Do Not Use Ether (starting fluid).

Hit Man X · #2 12-13-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quirky Mercy

Ok so I need to change out to 5w40. I have had some trouble starting the old 300SD with the temps in the single digits. I also need to let the glow plugs run there full 35sec. I have found that the block heater is kaput and there is no way it is getting changed anytime soon. What do You guys think of a lower rad hose heater? I have to change the thermostat and flush the system anyway. The valves were adjusted 6k ago and it has always started good down to 12-15 deg. The battery was new in july. I have good cranking speed for a minute or two in 15 to 20 sec. cranks.

Positive the block heater cord is not bad? The plug end on my SDL was bad, simply replaced that and the heater works again.

Spent about $4 at the home improvement store versus about $50 for the new cord (at least I think that is what the new cord runs)

scottmcphee · #3 12-13-2010, 11:41 PM

If you are truly in dire straits? Give it a shot of ether down the schnoz.

If that doesn't work, then you try some!

Warning this might crack your head and/or your car's head.

Or, if you are far away from any kind of easy help, fill 'er up and keep the car running overnight.

vstech · #4 12-14-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcphee

If you are truly in dire straits? Give it a shot of ether down the schnoz.

If that doesn't work, then you try some!

Warning this might crack your head and/or your car's head.

Or, if you are far away from any kind of easy help, fill 'er up and keep the car running overnight.

at least ya put the warning in...

lemme make it plainer...

unless you know exactly what you are doing, NEVER INTRODUCE ETHER TO AN IDI (glow plug style) DIESEL ENGINE!!!!!!!

the instant explosion of the ether can bend rods, shatter pistons and other bad things you don't want in your car...

HuskyMan · #5 12-14-2010, 09:13 AM

An old time Mercedes mechanic told me the exact same thing: do not ever ever use Ether to start because you could be looking at a snapped timing chain.

Here's a little something I'm looking at for cold winter starts....notice it has 1700 cold cranking amps!!! That's a lot of juice!

http://www.amazon.com/Jump-N-Carry-JNC660-1700-Peak-Starter/dp/B000JFJLP6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1292335759&sr=8-5

layback40 · #6 12-14-2010, 12:47 AM

We dont get the same low temps as you guys. When my old 300D was on its last legs, if I was needing it first thing on a very cold (20F) morning, I used to take the fan heater (2,500 watt household type) out & run it so it blew hot air up under the front of the motor for an hour or so. I then set it up so the motor was sucking the warm air when I was trying to start. It worked a charm. Dont know how it would go for your temps though. Over here we wouldnt get out of bed if it was that cold!!!

vstech · #7 12-14-2010, 09:16 AM

that says 425 CCA... it's a 660 CA 1700PEAK amp battery box.
it's not really strong enough to start our cars with a dead battery, it's fine to assist in cold weather starting, but you better hook it up PRIOR to starting your car. not after your battery fails to start you.
for serious dead battery assists on our cars, you need a commercial 1200 CA which would be 900 or so CCA probably around 3000Peak amp packs... about 250.00

HuskyMan · #8 12-14-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

that says 425 CCA... it's a 660 CA 1700PEAK amp battery box.
it's not really strong enough to start our cars with a dead battery, it's fine to assist in cold weather starting, but you better hook it up PRIOR to starting your car. not after your battery fails to start you.
for serious dead battery assists on our cars, you need a commercial 1200 CA which would be 900 or so CCA probably around 3000Peak amp packs... about 250.00

Thanks, I wasn't sure, I just knew we needed something with more juice.

kerry · #9 12-14-2010, 09:54 AM

If you're desperate in cold weather and need to get started, pull the top off the air cleaner and shoot a hair dryer directly down into the intake after glowing a few times. Alternatively, you might try a propane torch to do the same thing but there's usually a lot of oil hanging around the intake and also a lot of plastic so I'd be cautious about an open flame. You could also take a couple of cookie sheets, cover them with hot charcoal bricquets and slide them under the engine and let sit for a half hour or so.
Also be sure to add Powerservice if there's any doubt about the viscosity of your fuel. I started my 85TD at 30 below zero once but it wouldn't stay running because the fuel gelled.

If you're life depends upon it and you absolutely must use ether or die in the wilderness, pull the strip fuse on the glow plugs or unplug the glowplugs from the harness and start it with the ether alone and no glow plugs.

Alternatively, if you know you're going to be outside the range of electricity and need a way to warm up the engine, there are propane fired camping showers available on the market with small battery power circulating pumps. Plumb some fittings into the heater lines and hook the 'shower' up to your engine and run it for a half hour or so to heat up your coolant.

cscmc1 · #10 12-17-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

If you're desperate in cold weather and need to get started, pull the top off the air cleaner and shoot a hair dryer directly down into the intake after glowing a few times. Alternatively, you might try a propane torch to do the same thing but there's usually a lot of oil hanging around the intake and also a lot of plastic so I'd be cautious about an open flame. You could also take a couple of cookie sheets, cover them with hot charcoal bricquets and slide them under the engine and let sit for a half hour or so.
Also be sure to add Powerservice if there's any doubt about the viscosity of your fuel. I started my 85TD at 30 below zero once but it wouldn't stay running because the fuel gelled.

Funny, this is what first came to mind for me. My friend's Jeep wouldn't start one morning (well below zero in WI), and I used a heat gun to blow air directly into the TB. Started right up.

I have also seen the charcoal trick used on heavy equipment.

danton84 · #11 12-17-2010, 12:09 PM

I have been using a blow drier under the hood and coleman dual fuel camp stove under the oil pan(perfect height) to help start my 240d on these cold mornings. (New glow plugs and reamer on the way!!!). I tried the lower radiator hose heaters, but after buying two bad units I am done with them...ordered a OEM style block heater, but for the mean time the blow drier and camp stove will have to do.

Be sure to use some kind of additive to prevent gelling when you fill you tanks...do not rely on the stations winter blends not to gel!!! You are better off filling up at your local truck stop to be sure you are getting the best fuel. As mentioned above, Power Service works great if your fuel does gel.

cirrusman · #12 12-14-2010, 10:21 AM

I had the same problem last week. My car starts just fine on temps over 20 degrees, but refused to start when it was even a single degree below that, so I went to Target and got me a $49 battery pack and that was all the difference. If your battery is just old, the battery pack won't do you any good, but if your car starts fine otherwise, the little thing comes in real handy.

Quirky Mercy · #13 12-14-2010, 07:08 PM

I will crank it till it starts(after 2 glows), that may be the major issue. I was afraid I would toast the starter. I added the the lower rad hose heater today and will see how it works in the AM. It will be alot warmer though (15 F) I also added a gallon of Kero to 3/4 tank Diesel. I will report back, Thanks for the tips!

Beastie · #14 12-14-2010, 09:09 PM

OOPs already posted, Instead of the time and effort buy a quality jump box and keep it indoors with you. Not only can you use it for this but will find other uses.

ConnClark · #15 12-14-2010, 11:29 PM

One word........ Thermite