What's the lowest ambient temp anyone's started a 602? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 01-21-2011, 08:57 AM

Supposed to be minus 6F here in RI Monday morning. With five working glow plugs, Mobil 1 TDT 5w20, and presumably good compression, I don't anticipate any difficulties. But I am curious....what's the lowest temp at which anyone's been able to start a 602 (without block heater, obviously)?

Thanks.

vstech · #2 01-21-2011, 10:26 AM

... at -6F I'd be plugging in the block heater. and be sure you have antigel fuel additive in the tank! winter fuel is good for 0F ya need additive for below zero to keep out the paraffin dropping into the filter.

shertex · #3 01-21-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

... at -6F I'd be plugging in the block heater. and be sure you have antigel fuel additive in the tank! winter fuel is good for 0F ya need additive for below zero to keep out the paraffin dropping into the filter.

I don't have the cord installed. Surprising that winter fuel wouldn't be good for lower than 0F....especially up here in New England.

vstech · #4 01-21-2011, 10:37 AM

it's possible the stations in your cold area have added additional freeze protection! you could ask the station where you get your fuel.

barry123400 · #5 01-21-2011, 12:06 PM

As soon as you see any form of external heat being applied to a diesel pump in the winter. You know the fuel is not winterized enough for the temperatures.. Do not fuel from a diesel pump with any obvious external heating device. You will not be going far. Usually you see this if a low gallonage vendor still has summer fuel especially.

sjh · #6 01-21-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Supposed to be minus 6F here in RI Monday morning. With five working glow plugs, Mobil 1 TDT 5w20, and presumably good compression, I don't anticipate any difficulties. But I am curious....what's the lowest temp at which anyone's been able to start a 602 (without block heater, obviously)?

Thanks.

I started my mine at 7 F w/o a heater but in general plugged it in once it got to 15 F.

bustedbenz · #7 01-21-2011, 12:17 PM

I've started mine on dino oil at about 7 degrees above 0. Never seen a day colder than that in my life. It cranked right up but then I had to keep a foot on the throttle until it got warm enough to idle.

603 here, not 602, but likely the same thing for this discussion.

shertex · #8 01-21-2011, 12:30 PM

The record cold for Providence is -17F. So I suppose if some time I see -10 or so I shouldn't be surprised.

compu_85 · #9 01-21-2011, 01:19 PM

My 603 started no problem at -15*F with no block heater and normal winter diesel fuel. Actually all the well maintained diesels in my driveway started that cold, cold morning, though one did need a boost because the battery was old. (There was my 91 SDL and a fleet of VWs... a 91 ECOdiesel, a 91 NA NA diesel, my 99 TDI, an 02 TDI, 3 98 TDIs, and two 97 Passat TDIs!). Having the glow and fuel systems in proper working order makes all the difference.

-J

thatguy · #10 01-21-2011, 02:03 PM

Not a 602 but I've started my 617 down to 5 degrees above with dino 15w-40 and no block heater. Good glow plugs and a strong battery with clean fuel filters can go a long way in an old diesel. I think with TDT oil and a good motor you will be ok.

mkrazy1 · #11 01-21-2011, 05:27 PM

I've started my '87 300D at minus 5 before - no block heater.

Local2ED · #12 01-21-2011, 05:41 PM

Started a 602 at 4 below zero farenheight in a wide open surroundings motel parking lot. Wind chill was -40 below and yes I know that means nothing to a machine but it was brutally cold. One normal glow cycle and it started like it was 70 degrees out. The really strange thing is I was running 15/40 dino oil.

pawoSD · #13 01-21-2011, 06:05 PM

I've started my 617 successfully with no heater at -13F a couple years ago. Between today and Tuesday we're supposed to have overnight lows around 0 to slightly under. My car will be around 55F in its heated home though.