Hi all. My '82 300TD is running very crummy in cold weather. If the temp is below 18 degrees F, the car does not start (Will try glowing 3 times before cranking). Anything less than 50 degrees, I need to keep my foot on the throttle ten minutes to keep the car running. Anything greater than 50 degrees I hear a knock/miss until the car has warmed up.

I'm looking for ideas that might explain the problem. I brought the car to a diesel shop for a compression test/glow plug test/etc. Here's what I got back:

Glow plugs: OK
Injector Test All: OK

Compression:

1. 340
2. 360
3. 300
4. 300
5. 340

Replaced:

Hand Primer, Fuel Filter, Air Filter

I also have a new battery and am using Rotella T Synthetic 5w-40. Also, the car has 140,000 miles. I've read ideas in other forums but most those don't conclude in a fix. Outside compression some said maybe the lift pump and some said possibly stretch in the timing chain.

Any thoughts? I'm going to call some Mercedes Diesel shops here in Chicago tomorrow to see if any of them can help. It's really annoying having to keep my foot on the pedal for 10 minutes just to get the car to run, would love to fix this.

Thanks for the help!

- Ben

Have you checked the screen in the tank?
That would be the next item on my list

Adjust the valves ASAP

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Close off the return line from the injection pump and see if it does better on a cold start. Nothing will be hurt from doing this.

An Air Leak.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Thanks for the ideas, I'll begin testing them:

lacolocho - I do have a funny 'bounce' on my fuel gauge, I assume this is unrelated, but would a clogged or dirty fuel strainer cause this bounce?

79Mercy - Thanks 79Mercy, I had them check valve clearances at the diesel shop, this shop wasn't a Mercedes shop though, just worked on diesel engines. I'll have this rechecked or done when I bring it in.

barry123400 - Hey barry, thanks for the idea, could you let me know why you think this would help?

Diesel911 - I do have an air leak, my door locks do not work correctly. I'll try fixing this.

I wish I had time and a place to do these things myself, but only have street parking in Chicago, absolutely sucks for doing any car work. I can at least look for the air leak without bringing it in. I'll comment back as I try each of the things suggested.

Air leak and vacuum leak are not the same. Your door lock problem is probably caused by a vacuum leak. Air leak refers to air getting into the fuel lines.

How did the shop conclude that the glow plugs were ok? Your symptoms are similar to having one or more bad glow plugs.

__________________
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

Thanks for the clarification between air/vacuum problems Kerry.

I'm not sure what the shop tested when giving me the OK. So I took a couple hours tonight to test the glow plugs myself following this DIY: Mercedes Diesel Glow Plug Repair

Everything tested out fine, relay worked in all ways, wires seemed to test fine, and the glow plugs worked perfectly too. After putting everything back together and starting the car this evening in 45 degree weather, it still sputtered and I needed to keep my foot on the peddle to keep the car from stalling.

Then x2 on the air leak.

__________________
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

Do you have white smoke after startup?

__________________
1977 300D Lost coolant while someone else was driving
1983 300D Can't run without oil
1985 300SD (gone but not forgotten)
1990 300TE 4matic Sold
1991 Yamaha Venture
1975 Kawsaki 250 triple
1974 Honda 200CL
1951 8N Ford
2008 Wildfire 650C

you mention "fuel filter" is changed...
which one? there are 3 in the vehicle...

tank strainer can be clogged up, and the vent that allows air to enter the tank, while fuel is allowed to leave...
next in line of flow is the clear plastic primary fuel filter.
then the "spin on" fuel filter behind the power steering pump.
do you know which of these were changed?

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!