PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

pawoSD · #10 02-18-2006, 01:13 AM

I've found that extreme cold starts are best done by glowing about 25 seconds, then cranking without pressing the pedal, when the engine starts "firing" and shaking the car a bit (shouldn't take long at all on a healthy engine, mine fires on the first or second crank usually), press the pedal about 1/4 of the way down, and it will start instantly. Cranking and shoving the pedal down prolongs the process because too much diesel gets injected and it washes the cylinder walls/absorbs all the heat, inhibiting combustion.

Tonight I got out of work, it was extremely windy, and 7F actual temp. Windchill is around -13, I glowed about 20 seconds, started cranking, it was firing from the first rotation, and after the 5th crank (now firing and shaking) I pressed the pedal, and vrrrmmm....came right to life. Total start time: 6 cranks and about 3ish seconds.

234,208 on the engine. Just gave it an oil change today too.

15w40 Shell Rotella, as always. It has a fair amount of blowby too, eh, seems to make no difference at all.

I got a jug of clear fry oil from Sam's Club today, even out on our porch where its about 20 degrees or less, its still very liquid! no chunks or solidifying issues, I got the jug so I can experiment once its a bit warmer out.