Last spring, I fought the cold start battle and wasn't sure if I won...I tested GPs and they seemed fine. I replaced the battery with a good heavy duty one. I removed the starter and took it to two places for a bench test and neither one wanted to sell me a new one because mine was good. The last hing I can think of is my compression. I haven't checked it yet because I don't have a tester. I will though but will check with some neighbors first to see if they own one that I can use.

My questions...

1. If the compression is the issue, wouldn't it start hard in warm weather also?

2. Are there other probable causes I haven't looked at yet?

3. What corrective action can I take short of new rings to address the compression starting? Does synthetic oil help? What about a heavier viscosity oil...will that increase or impede compression?

Car is a '79 240D.
Has some gray smoke (not a little but not a lot) visable when idling.
240k miles.
Engine vibrates when idling but shakes when in DRIVE and the brake applied.
Uses a quart of oil about every 1000 miles.
Runs well in both city and hwy speeds with what I believe to be normal accelaration speeds for a 240D.
Gets 25-28 mpg.
I notice some exhaust in engine compartment from under air cleaner and is probably from exhaust manifold gasket leak.

Any ideas?

__________________
Whoever dies with the most toys......Wins!

1984 300d
165k miles