First Start After Winter Storage - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1983/300CD · #1 02-14-2018, 03:03 PM

Hello, I am wondering about the best way to start a 1982 300CD after a winter of sitting in storage. What is the easiest way to get oil into the cylinders? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

torsionbar · #2 02-14-2018, 07:52 PM

The best way is to fill the tank full, and run some fuel stabilizer through the system prior to parking it for the winter. Also do an oil change prior to parking it, as condensation moisture will deteriorate the oil while its parked. Fill the tires to the recommended pressures +5 PSI all around before parking it, to avoid flat spotting the tires. Attach a smart battery charger when you park it, so that the battery is maintained all winter. Lastly, I would add some moth balls to the interior and also the engine bay before parking it, to ward off critters that like to nest in there and cause damage. Do not set the parking brake, as they sometimes will stay stuck engaged after being parked that way for months. Simply insert the key and start as usual come Spring time, knowing that you've protected it properly in Winter storage.

Ceristimo · #3 02-14-2018, 09:03 PM

Pretty much what torsionbar already said. I live in Alaska, so the Benz is parked from late September to middle of May roughly. All I do is put the battery back in, and turn the key without preglowing. This means she’ll crank for 10 seconds or so before firing, allowing the oil pressure to build before she’s idling. Not even sure if that is necessary, but just something I like to do.

Also, I wouldn’t use mothballs, they stink up the interior to high heaven. I use dryer sheets. Never had critters in the car and it makes it smell nice when it comes out of storage. I also put one of those moisture-absorber buckets in the car.

okyoureabeast · #4 02-14-2018, 09:35 PM

There is a film which gets left on parts which will lubricate it before the pump gets up to speed. You shouldn't need to worry about wearing down the parts.

When I got my 300D which had been sitting for about ten years we just plugged in a battery, change the oil/filter, and fired her right up.

Clemson88 · #5 02-15-2018, 09:40 AM

I use the starter to turn the engine a few rotations to get the oil filter refilled and lube the moving parts. Just hold the manual shutoff lever and look into the oil fill hole to see when the oil reaches the top of the engine.

My project car has been sitting for 18 months or so. I've turned the engine by hand a couple times to circulate the oil a bit.

I'm a bit worried about the rings freezing up from carbon buildup now. It's a ~290K engine and I've driven it way to easy for the rings to be clean. I've never run it hard. I didn't because of ignorance so I may give it a squirt of miracle oil or two and let it soak a while before I fire it up.

vstech · #6 02-15-2018, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clemson88

I use the starter to turn the engine a few rotations to get the oil filter refilled and lube the moving parts. Just hold the manual shutoff lever and look into the oil fill hole to see when the oil reaches the top of the engine.

My project car has been sitting for 18 months or so. I've turned the engine by hand a couple times to circulate the oil a bit.

I'm a bit worried about the rings freezing up from carbon buildup now. It's a ~290K engine and I've driven it way to easy for the rings to be clean. I've never run it hard. I didn't because of ignorance so I may give it a squirt of miracle oil or two and let it soak a while before I fire it up.

Rotating by hand isn't going to do anything.

If you are worried about it, soaking can help, but performing a compression test would tell you if the rings are stuck...

I'd just drive it.

Hi the road high speed, or lock it into 3rd gear and drive hard...

Should be fine

These motors are built severe.

chrisgt · #7 02-15-2018, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceristimo

Pretty much what torsionbar already said. I live in Alaska, so the Benz is parked from late September to middle of May roughly. All I do is put the battery back in, and turn the key without preglowing. This means she’ll crank for 10 seconds or so before firing, allowing the oil pressure to build before she’s idling. Not even sure if that is necessary, but just something I like to do.

Also, I wouldn’t use mothballs, they stink up the interior to high heaven. I use dryer sheets. Never had critters in the car and it makes it smell nice when it comes out of storage. I also put one of those moisture-absorber buckets in the car.

I live in Maine, so mine has about the same hibernation schedule.
I do the exact same thing. Store the battery inside where it stays warm. Then in the spring I toss the battery in and crank it without glowing so it takes 10 or 15 seconds to start. Oil pressure shoots right to the peg the instant it lights off, and I'm good to go.

I park on soft dirt in a barn, so I don't really worry about the tires and somehow haven't had rodent issues (knock on wood, I'll know this year in 3 months...).