OK, Barry, just tried the WD40 and it actually began making starting noises. Didn't quite get there, but closer. Charging the battery again now so that I have a full charge. It's pretty cold in the garage right now, so I may wait until it warms up tomorrow.

What prompted me to suggest the wd 40. I thought perhaps all the attempts to start with an inoperative glow plug circuit may have washed the cylinder walls down.

So the engine may need a slightly more active fuel to enable the first start. Hopefully after the first start and run things will return to normal.

I also think the base solvent may have been changed in recent years in wd40. We should find a slightly better product.

Also if you can direct some heat to the block in some way for a few hours should also help. There should be a way if there is electricity available. Just do it safely.

One other small thing. Make sure the idle adjuster control is in the high idle position. Many of these engines will not start or keep running in the low idle position without some pedal input.

I personally like the 616 engines. A complete decent tuneup is not all that hard to do. It usually is needed because of past owners neglect. It will lower the starting temperature and give you more power usually. The tuneup is primarily labor and little cost if you do it. I personally believe it also makes these engines last longer.

Any luck, Scott?

Thanks for checking in. I'm afraid I haven't been able to work on it. My refrigerator died on me last night, so today (my day off) was spent first with a repair man, then unfortunately, shopping for a new refrigerator. The only upside is that my wife is a heck of a negotiator with appliance salesmen.

Hope to get back to the Benz tomorrow.