Hi,

First let me introduce myself, my name is Jorn, bought a 1978 300CD with 145k last summer. Drives like a dream, two owners, one MB mechanic who did everything from installing a broken dome light to engine work.
I replaced all the filters, the trans. flushed, two cans of diesel purge to clean the engine, etc.

Now my problem; last week the car would not start, the pre-glow light didn't come on. Replacing the glow-plugs resolved the problem. Car would start up all weekend fine.
This morning it took me three turns to start up, first two times engine would start but die after 3 or 4 sec. the third time engine started making a "clonking" sound and producing a lot of white smoke. I let the engine run for a minute and restarted with out a problem, started right up and no white smoke.

Car is running fine now, smooth lots of power but I'm a little worried that this is the start of a bigger problem to come.

This is the first week that it's getting cold at night, I'm living in LA. Could this be the problem?

Thanks Jorn