As we head in to winter I am a little concerned about the battery. The PO had a new Interstate one put in and everything is charging fine but I believe it is a minimum rated battery for my car. It is an Interstate MTP-91 700 CCA 875.
I am hoping to not drive this car during the winter but that may change.
Any thoughts ? The charging system has a new belt and all seems well but just in case.
Thanks !

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

Okay I just checked out the Interstate website and they offer 2 batteries.The one that was installed by an authorized Interstate Dealer was not the correct one for this car. I have emailed their customer service dept and explained that
the battery was replaced mid summer 09 and that it was replaced under warranty in the late spring early summer of 2010. Both times the battery was smaller than those recommended. I was happy to get it replaced under warranty
and so did not bother to see if it was the correct application. Live and learn.
Anyway I think I have a handle on this and now have to work with Interstate to get this resolved.
I got no responses to this thread but it worked out anyway.

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

I think group 49 is the battery size you want. I don't know how that translates to Interstate part numbers, nor if Interstate has a range of cranking amp ratings in their group 49 line.

Does it get that cold in Virgina? You don't even have to glow a 617 here half the year.

Okay, I admit this was an answer for an answer's sake

Sixto
87 300D

In VA I'd be happy with 875CCA. You're not in Alaska.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Call the dealer and ask them what the price is on an OEM one. They're very high quality and last longer then most.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I have group 49's in mine, no issues. I was thought I was going to need a new one, same one that was in the car when I bought it, turns out the starter needed replacing. I did that, still no issues, same battery.

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83 SD

84 CD

I'm a huge fan of Interstate. Mine just died. it was 9 years old.

Third (or x) the Interstate support. K's car was infrequently driven by the PO, and yet the battery still lasted nearly nine years before I replaced it.

The 49 is a "cheat" battery for a 123 with a 617A, because you don't have to remove the air filter housing to install it. For a 126 there's NO reason not to get the right battery. That being said, the 49 will start the 617A in your car just as well as it will start a 617A in a 123--for years and years and years.

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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

when in newport news one winter my glowplug relay died... no problem starting my SD. Just crank and smoke.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

When I replaced the battery in my CD, they had one for my car, a larger one in white plastic too. It was more expensive and not as powerful. so I went the 49.

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83 SD

84 CD

Thanks for the good responses from everyone.
OkeeDokee here we go. Yes it will start it in most conditions but it still does not meet the minimums that the battery manuf set for the battery. We have have had a recent dip in nighttime temps and this is when the "cold start issues came up the most. Cranking after cycling the GP"s 2 times and then starting with large cloud of white smoke. On the 3rd or 4th crank you could hear the battery was not going to last that long ( new battery by the way) The issue is when my Mother had the car serviced she had them call me with any issues as to what they should replace and with what. When they asked about tires I said std size and I researched that the Kumho "Solus"was a good replacement ( when it snows I pick my Mom up for where ever she needs or just wants to go)
Anyway when it came to the battery I told them to buy what Interstate recommended on their site ( I have one in my 500E and another in the 911 no problemos !) Apparently this Interstate Authorized Dealer Made their own recomendation and installed one not even recommended by interstate for this area. On the good side I missed a phone call from an Interstate rep after I sent them an email explaining that if the shop had offered us the correct choices to start with we would have done it and gone with correct battery.
Needless to say I also received an email from them ( when thay called I was under the SD trying to find an oil leak ) I have offered to pay what the cost difference was for the correct battery but again this past winter was unusually bad here as elsewhere and the battery died in the Spring after 7 months in service. Last comments, the shop was friendly and highly referred but it became apparent despite their comments to the contrary they were not familiar with this Diesel and should have just said so instead of running my 87 Y.O Mom through the hoops to make a buck and not deliver.
Since I have had the car since midsummer I keep finding "items " they repaired, repaired totally wrong. The bright spot is the fact that with a simple
non-expletive laden email to Interstate, they have responded !. I do not know
what or if this can be worked out with them but their response time was way beyond expectations. If anyone is interested I will post how this goes with them. Again I have their batteries in 2 no 3 of my cars ( forgot the caddy, for sale by the way)

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

I received fantastic customer service. The interstate rep called me within 1 hour and they will give me a full value exchange on th old/new one and give me the correct MTP-93.

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

I've got a Red Top Optima with 1050CCA. Missouri winters get COLD!

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1963 Ford F100 - Cummins Swap?
1985 Mercedes 300SD - 210K
1992 Ford Festiva - 92K
2001 Ninja 250 - 8K

I also went with the MTP 93. It is the correct battery and I've had good luck with the Interstates. Another feature I like: it has a vent (overflow?) that I have hooked a hose up to. The hose hangs down below the frame, under the car. I just think this might save the entire area from being exposed to the hydrogen gasses that might be expelled - as well as re-route any liquid that might be emitted from any overcharging/rough terrain situation. Is there any validity to my theory? Has anyone else considered this - or done it? Or am I nuts?

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82 300D Turbo 124,000 mi.