I understand that some don't like the Diesel 911 as it contains alcohol, however I have used it in at least three different Mercedes in situations like this over the last decade. In extreme temperatures where no provision exists to warm up the car in a garage, the choices are limited and as the product's name indicates, it's a last resort.

If you add the amount they specify to the fuel tank (based on diesel volume present), you should get starting response within an hour, probably much quicker. It isn't necessary to add it to the filter, based on my experience. Sorry to the OP if I confused the issue by copying over the manufacturer info on the filter stuff.

I am familiar with the recommendation to add kerosene to assist starting in extreme temps, but are we now being told it can be used to thaw gelled or frozen diesel? That is news.

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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

I don't object to diesel 911 (except for co$t), I purcha$e $everal ca$e$ of gallon$ each year for $ervice call re$cue.

But for simple cold start improvement on a running vehicle:
* Add a gallon of kerosene to the fuel tank.
* Run the engine (drive) for five minutes to circulate it through the fuel filters / injection pump.
* If compression, starter, battery, glow plugs are good, you should have no morning cold start issue, even at -39° F.

You can safely run two gallons of kerosene per tank of fuel (great cold starts), but it will drop roughly 2-3 mpg.
If you do this, I suggest four ounces of 2-cycle oil to boost lubricity, cetane, perceived power, and MPG.

More data on this and related topics for new members.

Cold weather starting links
Cold weather starting links - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum


Diesel owners need to know fuel data
Diesel owners need to know fuel data - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Warning ALL Diesel Owners
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/309367-warning-all-diesel-owners.html#post2841158

Bad smelling fuel, what to do
bad smelling fuel, Gag, gasp, choke

Performing a Fuel Purge on a Mercedes Turbodiesel
Episode 2: Performing a Fuel Purge on a Mercedes Turbodiesel - YouTube

MB diesel filtration, how it works.
MB diesel filtration, how it works. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

fuel filter change
fuel filter change - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Diesel filters, no tank strainers please.
Diesel filters, no tank strainers please. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Algae/Fungus fixation...
Algae/Fungus fixation... - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Biobor, what is it, why do I need it???
Biobor, what is it, why do I need it??? - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Filters, Fungus, Biocide, etc.
Filters, Fungus, Biocide, etc. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Algae Clogged Filter Pic StarTron WORKS !
Algae Clogged Filter Pic StarTron WORKS ! - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

.

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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

If they sell it at Canadian Tire, it must be good stuff. Right? Ok, maybe not

I can't imagine that a couple of cupfuls will hurt - This is what MSDS says the major ingredients are:

INGREDIENTS
C3-C5 Mixed Hydroxy-Containing Aliphatic Hydrocarbons (alcohols to remove water)
Petroleum Distillates (Probably Kerosene & similar)
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Benzene etc)

Bob the oil guy site seems to think it's OK.

Perhaps OK for an emergency, but not long term?

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Crank crank crank started to catch wife started yelling about something missed my window, but I heard it start to fire so I think I should be ok

This morning it was -30 C (-22 F) and the windchilll effect was -40 (F and C). (Readers in the US midwest are probably thinking "Yeah, so what?")

Some additional perspective:
Right Now, It's as Cold in Canada as Where Our Rover Is on Mars - Megan Garber - The Atlantic

__________________


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

Just in case you aren't aware: In these conditions when you hear it starting to fire you should keep the starter engaged until it's firing on at least 3 pots, and don't take your foot off the throttle until you have 4 going.

If your wife interrupts you again, I suggest you threaten to lock her outside until SHE gets it started .

__________________


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

I once was away from home during similar weather. I stayed overnight at hotel and car would not start in morning. Tried calling MB roadside assistance as well as CAA but they could not come - I guess everyone was having problems. Hotel suggested local service station. He came over right away. He sprayed some starter fluid into air intake, boosted the car and it started right up.

Now, I have read that using starter fluid is not recommended. Possible detonation in prechambers? However, a very small spray into the air intake, may just get you going. I have used it without problems, but it is not something I would do unless desperate. I have heard that it may be safer if the glow plugs are disabled, but then I can't see that you would get started.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Avoiding starter fluid is not just a recommendation but a warning. It can do serious damage. Hot glow plugs can cause it to ignite completely out of timing doing damage on pistons, etc.

Why you don't use starter fluid in a diesel with glow plugs - YouTube


Use WD40 instead if you feel the need.

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Starter fluid is a no-go thing for any prechamber diesel engine, such as ours. Some diesel engines can take it because of their design, mostly trucks and heavy equipment (example, construction equipment left outside at job sites).

__________________


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

Ya I was in the midst of the "hold to the floor, I can hear one cylinder catching, now there is two" procedure when I was interrupted

To add insult to injury the interruption was to ask if I wanted a ride to work. Words fail me

Oooow.

Soooo close. So did you have to leave it and go to work, or did you get it going? It's a nice bright sunny day here, if it's the same where you are, that won't hurt matters.

__________________


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

There was apparently a thread on here by a one time moderator (jimsmith??) regarding use of ether. (Found it - see end of post). I believe that the conclusion was that is was OK if done properly. Properly involved having engine cranking while spraying and only spraying in very small bursts. That makes sense to me and it did get me out of a bind a couple of times. I wouldn't recommend it to others because of what y'all say!

As I understood it, the reason given not to use ether, was that it could explode on the upstroke before TDC and perhaps cause engine damage. But what happens when diesel is sprayed in? It has a lower LEL than ether or propane. It should also explode on upstroke when glowplugs are on.

I thought the problem might be having an explosion in the prechamber before or during the compression stroke (Bigger pressure difference could damage prechamber). But even then, why doesn't diesel cause same problem. Perhaps it could be because it is injected only near TDC. But if it doesn't ignite and we blow white fumes out exhaust, then we have similar situation to using ether or propane.

Lower Explosive Limits at atm pressure
Ether 1.9% (by volume)
Propane 2.1%
Diesel vapour 0.6%
In other words, it takes less diesel mixed with air to form an explosive mixture than the other two.

Not saying anyone is wrong, but I have a technical background and would be very interested if anyone has links to an explanation of the mechanics of the problem rather than just hearsay. (I am sure Dr. Marshall Booth covered this subject. Maybe I can find something he wrote)

Found the old PP thread. It was basically someone asking same questions as I am. No answers, but some good thoughts on subject. I likes this one

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

That is kind of a dumb video. All he did was show that gasoline and diesel don't easily catch fire. As kids we (stupidly) used to put matches out by dipping them in gasoline

As he correctly said, it is the vapors that will ignite or explode (if between LEL and UEL) and as can be seen in LEL data in previous post, diesel vapors have lower LEL than ether or propane.

By the way, what does WD-40 in a spray can contain? I suspect it worked because it contained a propellant just like starter fluid does. Possibly propane. But in order to reduce VOCs, it has apparently been changed to CO2 which wouldn't help in starting!

Check this out - no wonder they switched to CO2!

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Just to give the thread closure the car fired up yesterday.