PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Cold weather and my '83TD -- Newbie question

Bama1 · #11 02-18-2007, 06:36 PM

VEGGIE OIL? I hope you are joking... the "D" stands for Diesel.

I am not a fan of discussing grease pushers on the Diesel forum but that's just a soapbox opinion from a Diesel snob.

Anyway, Newbie fans of MB are always welcome here...makes me rethink some of the fun and challenges these fine cars present us with over time.

Your recent experience sounds like mostly an electrical problem overall. I would suggest that you check or replace your battery cables in case they have not been replaced in the last 10 years. Over time, the interior cable wiring can and will oxidize or corrode and will not transfer the necessary power to the starter! (even though the starter spins). Since Ma Benz uses such good OEM stuff we tend to forget that those things will wear out and need to be be checked periodically to rule out contributing root cause for problems.
In this case, I suspect there are several small individual conditions at normal tolerances that when combined under extreme conditions result in the cranking failure. For example low battery, high resistance in cable or connections, timing chain stretch, poor fuel delivery, valves out of adjustment, corrupted fuel (H20, Gel, debris, grease), weak glo-plugs, reduced compression...added together at Zero degrees means no dice and points to several things to check out and try to make right.
First is electrical.
Battery - Fully Charged. Posts and connections clean, tight?
Cables sound? Starter connections clean and tight? Glow plugs measured?
Use the block hearter cause you have it! (I plug in every nite when I get home from work 'til consistent overnite temps over 35)
Second is Fuel.
Good clean Diesel (not waste vegetable oil)? Filters recent? Visible fuel in the inline filter?

Enough from me for now, let us know what develops as you look into this more.

Good luck, keep warm, and glad you chimed in!