Hi everyone, just in the last week since its gotten a little colder here in Ny Im having starting problems with my1987 300 d turbo 124. It now takes 3-5 starts and then I have to hold the starter over and let it crank longer to get it to start. Then I have more smoke than normal. Would injector cleaner help then checking the glow plugs or does anyone have any ideas for me? Any help would be appreciated. . .Thanks Bob

Same old checklist:

Glow plug lamp on dash? I don't know about the six-cylinder relays, but the five-cylinder will light the lamp (indicating "fine") if ALL the plugs are bad. Check each with your meter, as you mentioned, for ~1 ohm resistance. Remove the glow fuse and hold it in your hand. Glow-on voltage at each plug should be probably 9.5-11 VDC (hard to check because the relay drops out quickly at summerish temps).

Cranking speed (starter, battery, cables)?

Are you parking differently (up/downhill) that is exposing a fuel/air leak?

I'm not sure what you mean by "3-5 starts," but you're supposed to just hold the key on "start" ONE CONTINUOUS TIME for up to a minute until the engine is firing enough to run on its own. Of course, that should be about half a second if all is well.

Valve adjustment?

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

No valve adjustment on the 60x engine, and your system should not turn on the light if #1 is bad or at least two of the other plugs.

Besides those minor details, Boiise is spot-on.

If you're running WVO or something other than diesel, possibly compression issues.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks for the help. The glow plugs were then issue. I replaced them and it now starts like it was brand new again

Bob