Car literally will not crank much in the cold - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jakemaxwell806 · #1 01-21-2019, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mabbonizio

Hi Guys,

Sorry if this has been gone over 100000 times but I'm in need of some advice.

82 240D (runs great, typically starts immediately in all weather conditions)

Went out to start the car this morning knowing that several factors might contribute to a harder start than usual.

- Have B20 Biodiesel in the fuel tank

- Have Rotella dino 15-40 in the crank case

It's about 9° here in Philly and I am street parked.

Car cranked and cranked and cranked (very slowly) omitting some puffs from the tail pipe until the battery died. I called AAA and the guy (whom asked where the carburetor was) gave me about 5 minutes of his time with a portable jump pack.

He tested the battery and told me it was OK (its like two years old) and that the motor was most likely turning over so slowly due to frozen sludge in it

Anyways, any advice on how to get this thing to crank quicker? Am I SOL for having B20 in the tank and 15-40 in the crank case? Should I just get my own jumper pack?

I'm curious if maybe his jumper pack just kinda stunk? Thinking maybe I'll throw some additive in the fuel and try and jump it off a running vehicle?

Heat your glow plugs more cycle them 3 or 4 times so they have time to get hot then hold throttle down don't over Rev it your car should start

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Sugar Bear · #2 01-21-2019, 02:19 PM

All above is great advice. I'd go synthetic for the winter only, such as 5W-40 Rotella. Did an experiment once, put a quart of synthetic in the freezer overnight, it poured almost the same as the quart left at ambient room temp.

Glow and listen until after the light goes out (about 10 seconds?) and then you hear the relay click open...crank immediately when the relay opens.

Use fuel treatment designed to prevent gelling...been there done that too...

Good luck!!!