Jcyuhn is on target.

Make sure your glowplugs are working. Your dash indicator light should come on then switch off after 5-10 sec. Not sure what diesel you drive, but my 85 300 glows for about 25 secs. I then hear an audible click of the relay which is on the front driver inner fender. On REALLY cold days, I do one or two glow cycles before cranking the starter. Turn key to glow, wait for loud click, turn back to lock, then back to glow, wait for click, then engage starter.

I have heard some folks do this three times. I have only had to do this with temps in the teens or really bad wind chill first thing in the am, twice usually does it.

Use the dome light trick or listen for the relay to click off. If you count to 60, and your relay has already shut down, your glowplugs are cooling, and you defeat your purpose. I understand that different models have longer and shorter cycles, but make sure you hit the right spot in the cycle. Mine only goes about 20-30 secs.

None of this matter with bad glowplugs; if they are old, change them, preferably to Bosch.

I would also use synthetic oil, or a 5-xx oil, helps the crank speed (I use Mobil 1).

Oh, an anti-gel additive is a good idea in the winter. I use Power Service multi-purpose, but there are a bunch that get good reviews.

Hope that helps.

Peter
1985 300TD

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K