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1985 300D Difficulty Starting (COLD Weather)
I have 341,000 on my 85 300D. It got to about 28 F here for the past 2 mornings. I almost could not get the car started and am afraid of low compression. I have listed below what I did/have done. Another important question is should I be expected to use the block heater when the temperature gets this cold and this many miles on a turbodiesel engine?
1. Valves adjusted 8,000 miles ago. 2. New battery 2 weeks ago 3. Pre-glow through 3 cycles (until the relay clicks off before trying to start). 4. Hold the accelerator completely to the floorboard while cranking. Any suggestions greatly appreciated! Richard |
#2
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Have you actually checked the glow plugs to see if they are all working?
It probably would not hurt to use the block heater at temperatures. I have not plugged my 91 300D in, it started this morning at 8F without incident. Its entirely likely that you have one or more glow plugs dead/not working.
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Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out. Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability! (4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!) 82 300SD 145k 89 420SEL 210k 89 560SEL 118k 90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010 90 560SEL 154k 91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k 93 190E 3.0 235k 93 300E 195k |
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Quote:
But JamesDean is right about the glow plugs. I put a new set of Bosch Duraterms in this past fall and the difference is huge. Mercedes Diesel Glow Plug Repair
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05 E320 CDI - 175K miles 82 300D - 200K miles (sold) |
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Quote:
If car is in a garage, as mine usually is, it will start without block heater at 28F. If outdoors it seems engine gets colder and battery output is lower. then block heater is needed. Essentials: - Good compression - Properly adjusted valves (I once had shop do them and they had them all wrong) - Properly working glow plugs. May need to ream out pre-chambers - Good fuel.
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Graham 85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5 |
#5
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If you wait until the relay clicks off, the glow plugs will not be energized when you turn the key to the start position. You should move the key to 'start' before the relay kicks off so that the plugs are on while the engine is turning over.
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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 |
#6
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Quote:
My experience has been that here in cold eastern Canada, valve adjustment issues often show up before the temp you describe. As Graham pointed out, around here 28 F (-2 C) is hardly even a cold day at this time of year. The motor would have to have very low compression figures to refuse to start at that temp. (I know -- I drove a high-miler 300sd with a pooched motor through one winter.) Tonight in my area we are going down to -31 C (-24 F) and the windchill factor will be -42 F.
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Mac 2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d “Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22 |
#7
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As mentioned, good glow plugs are a must.
Synthetic oil too.
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83 SD 84 CD |
#8
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And a good starter!
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