ok its 11° here in pittsburgh.
mathilda doesnt want to start.
shes start fine in 20+ weather but not this mind numbing temp.
what is the best block heater to get.
i hear tell of magnetic ones.
did a search on fleabay nothing came up.



minsk
1982 300d

A lower radiator hose heater is the easiest to install and works well (make sure the wind doesn't cool the car again)

In a pinch a 100W lightbulb under the hood and a blanket works too

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thanx simpler,
i rad diesel giants thread...that may be the way ill go.
i think my battery might be kaput also

whats the best battery one can buy for 1982 300d in these modern days...
i hear johnson controls is the way to go for battery purchasing

I recommend you avoid the Kats brand of lower rad hose heater if at all possible. Lots of reviews on them saying the last between 1-3 months.

Try to get the ZeroStart brand.

Magnetic heaters are better than nothing but are far inferior to a block heater and not as effective as a coolant heater. And the most widely distributed brand seems to be Kats....

You may have to do some looking. A cold snap is NOT the best time to be shopping for any auxiliary heating unit.

Hint: try Amazon. The zerostart number should be 32003 (that is what I installed on my 300d, you need a 1.5 inch model).

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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

zach

exactly...
i think it might actually be my 5 year old battery causing the starting whoas,
not a block heater... my freshly trickle charged battery fired mathilda right up in 15° weather


minsk

Whats wrong with the original block heater? My OM617 needs to be plugged in below 10 if I want it to start.

Not all were equipped with a block heater. It was a dealer installed option. Many cars sold in warmer climates didn't get the option.

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

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The battery may not be helping, but when you get to the temp you have today, valve adjustment, health/age of glowplugs and having dino versus synthetic oil in the crankcase are all factors in play as well. (The others are absolute needs, the synthetic is a 'nice to have' where you are.)

Having some heat in the motor helps things along greatly, if any of what I mentioned is not 90 pct or better.

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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

hmmm where would a factory block heater option be...this car is originally from cali...

Positioning a hair dryer in the intake when you are trying to start can also be effective.

They are available, if you wish to go that route.

Not something you are going to want to do outside in these temps. I have never done it but based on what I've read, some people have a bear of a job getting the frost plug out.

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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

Installing a block heater is not a job to be taken lightly in any weather. It is getting the block plug out that is difficult. I think there is a thread here somewhere about that.

Magnetic may not be as good as block heater, but they do work. Most are 200W. I need a new cord for my 300D block heater and have done for about 10 years. Reason being, I just use the magnetic heater. One advantage of magnetic unit, is that it self removes itself if I forget to remove it before backing out of garage

Regarding coolant hose heaters - My 2014 GLK250 came from factory with one as standard equipment. MB must think they work. But as mentioned in another thread, I see no way they can work with the thermostat arrangement found on our 123/126's. They would just heat the coolant in the hose.

Just being in unheated garage is generally enough for my car. It has started fine without heater even in this frigid weather.

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

If you decide to purchase a Block Heater that goes into the Block some people have found that the Heater Element with threads is too small for the Threaded Hole in the Block.
There is threaded adapter Sleeve for that but it is often not sold separately.

I looked for the Block Heater on My Car and I was not able to see it anywhere and I thought it did not have one. About 2 years after that I found the Block Heater Cord tied up and shoved way up inside between the Radiator and the Front Sheet Metal.

I plugged it in and it worked.

I did not get a good look at the location of the Block Heater till I removed My Manifolds and Turbocharger.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

so it turned out i had a poopy battery.
got a new one from autozone H8-AGM.
$165.00 ugh
it was 5° here today.
she fired right up no issues.
wweeeee.

now tho pesky power locks


EDIT: no problem starting at -2° also. god, i hate the cold weather tho.

I had the same issue, my MB battery finally couldn't do it anymore at 7 years old, had to swap it out a few days ago. Now it starts at 0F and below with no issues.

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