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  #1  
Old 11-21-2002, 10:18 PM
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Question Help! It Is Too Soon For Cold Start Problems

I could use the advise or suggestions of any who reads this thread.
Thanks in advance.
Dave.

82' 240d
I have experienced "cold" starting trouble every morning now when temp gets below 45 degrees F.
I get blue/grey smoke out the tail pipe as she turns over.
what gives here?
Last winter I was able to start the car easily at temps. well below 32 degr.F (and thats without a block heater, as car does not have one)

The engine has only 65K on rebuild. (185k orig)

I adjusted valves few days ago, I found a couple tight ones, set
them at (exhaust .30-.35mm intake .10 - .15mm)

I have checked all four glow plugs with volt meter, all ok.
Oil used is Rotella Synthetic 5W-40W and it is fresh.
Both fuel filters are new as well.

I use some addatives to boost cetane, but I don't see how fuel could be the problem at these temps.

Is there even such thing a "bad" diesel fuel, I've been buying Hess because they claim 45 cetane and at 1.45 its cheaper than most others.

If it were a compression problem, would'nt it be ever present and not just on cold days?

Anyone have any ideas?
Please post. thanks

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  #2  
Old 11-21-2002, 11:55 PM
123c
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Try waiting 20-40 seconds after the glow plug light goes out before trying to start. The glow plugs will glow up to a minute after the light goes out. Also make sure you have a good battery, you need a good one to get the starter spinning fast enough to get the engine started.
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  #3  
Old 11-22-2002, 07:15 AM
LarryBible
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Checking the glow plugs with a voltmeter or for continuity doesn't tell you much with the pin type plugs. Since you have voltage to the plugs, I can all but guarantee you that if you replace the plugs, your problems will go away. I've been through this many times. Just replace them.

Good luck,
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  #4  
Old 11-22-2002, 09:52 AM
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Thanks for the input guys.
The battery is only two months old (interstate)

I will order glow plugs today, hopefully that is the problem.

As this morning was around 50 degree F. and still had some trouble starting. (continuous cranking)
Something wrong with that picture.

Should the relay be replaced as well?
The newer replacment relays are supposed to keep GPlugs hot for 3 minutes after startup. for smoother initial operation.
Anyone have any experience there?
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  #5  
Old 11-22-2002, 10:34 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 2,911
Hey Dave:

What is the source of the "new" relay for the 240D that holds the glow plugs on for 3 minutes after start? I could use such a beast for my 1987 300D.

Ken300D
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  #6  
Old 11-22-2002, 12:41 PM
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Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Ken,
Try Randy or Kent to source the upgrade kit. It makes a world of difference for the early models, but not much on a late 300D like yours. See my detailed reply in this thread:
Bosch Duraterm Glow Plugs

Cheers, Andrew Seidel.
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  #7  
Old 11-22-2002, 12:55 PM
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Location: Northern Virginia
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OK, that sounds like a kit to change from the really old loop glow plugs (wired in series) to the later pencil style (wired in parallel). Even later than that, like 1990-1993 diesels in the US, there was a modification to the glow plug relay that kept the glow plugs burning AFTER the engine started. My 1987 does not do that - so I get a great startup and then when the glow plugs cool off immediately after that great startup, the car idles somewhat rough and smokes unburnt diesel for a couple minutes until warmed up a little more.

I'm not sure it bothers me enough to pay for another GP relay. I can just live with it. If there were a mod that could be done to the relay control circuit cheaply, that might interest me. I'm afraid if I just wired a toggle switch I'd forget to turn it off. Has to be something with a two minute timer.....

Ken 300D
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  #8  
Old 11-22-2002, 01:12 PM
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Ken,
I believe this upgrade kit also glows for 3 minutes after startup. So, if that was the primary feature you wanted, it might fit your need. Kent could confirm, as he is a W115/W123 restorer. Cheers, Andrew Seidel.
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  #9  
Old 11-22-2002, 02:05 PM
LarryBible
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You don't need an upgrade kit for a parallel system. In fact, if you glow a good set of plugs for three minutes, you will probably do damage to them.

You know you're getting voltage to them, so replace them and go from there. I would bet a tank of diesel fuel against a burned out glow plug, that the new set will make it start up like a new one.

Good luck,
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  #10  
Old 11-22-2002, 02:39 PM
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Location: Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Larry, agreed. Also, I expect these controllers only keep them "warm" after startup; running at peak current, they would not last long. Cheers, Andrew Seidel.
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  #11  
Old 11-22-2002, 04:46 PM
KylePavao
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I have the same problem...

Except at much colder temperatures. Except I think my problem was *****ty fuel. Don't know yet. Would get to 38 degrees, Id need to glow thre times. Low Cetane= harder to explode. Your using good fuel, so most likely a glow plug. Dont bother replacing one, get the whole set so when they where out they all where out.
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  #12  
Old 11-22-2002, 05:27 PM
Old Deis
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I read Larrys advice earlier about glow plugs. I had some problems a couple of weeks ago getting the old diesel to start after a sudden cold snap.
I knew it was a glow plug failure, but for interest sake I tried to get a reading on them anyway.
Four of the five showed good continuity. I pulled all five and clamped them in a vise, grounded the vise and touched the lead with 12 v. Only three generated any heat, and one of the three never got very hot at all.
Like he says, just change them all.
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  #13  
Old 11-23-2002, 02:43 PM
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Ken, sorry for the late reply, (PC took a powder yesterday), I saw the "3 minute GPlug relay" deal called "Glow Plug Kit" on Fastlane.

I went ahead and ordered the Glow Plugs, Thanks LB!
Hopefully they will do the trick.
I guess they lose their glow potency after a year or two.

One thing I did notice is that the GPlug indicator light on the dash does not stay on very long. (10 sec) and then does not come on at all on retry's.
I was unable to start the car at all today. (35deg.F)
COME ON UPS!

I would feel more comfortable with a block heater as well.
But I understand they can be a tough install as one must knock out the freeze plug behind the starter. Someone said there is risk of cracking the block?
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  #14  
Old 11-23-2002, 04:01 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: York Haven, PA
Posts: 65
Cold Start

Glow plugs are a maintenance item to be replaced every so often(50,000 miles or so ).
One can disconnect the leads and then conduct an Ohm test - the correct readings should be in the repair manual, I cannot remember them.
If she will start( without glow-plugs) with a little ether( or WD-40), then the compression should be OK.

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