Whoa, i know i must sound like an idiot, but ive never had a diesel, and the 1985 300sd i bought didnt come with a manual...

I hear over and over " i had to cycle the glowplugs 2 times to get her started"

Ive searched and searched,

How in the heck do you cycle the glow plugs??

And while im at it, how do you open the fuel tank filler door??

Im sorry to sound so stupid,

Anything would be appreciated...

you shouldn't have to "cycle your glow plugs " 2x to get your car started, unless your below 32degreesF. Even then you shouldn't have to. Make sure their all working and your valves are properly adjusted. Seek out a good inexpensive mechanic that knows these cars. Good luck. Ps I'm not sure about the fuel door in a SD..

__________________
85 300TDT 456,000 orig. miles

Just cycle the ignition key and the glow plugs will run another cycle.

On the fuel door you just push in on the doors right side as you are looking at it. Make sure that the car is not locked the fuel door locks with the door locks. If it won't come open then there is a problem with the locking mechanism.

Good luck,
Stephen

__________________
85 300D 305K miles WVO(105K so far), Mine
82 300SD 235K miles BIO-D, Wifes
96 F250 SC PSD 4X4 285K MILES BIO-D, Ours
89 BRONCO 182K MILES sold
Finally Compression Ignition Only!

I think you need a better explanation:

When you turn the key to the second position, the glow plugs light up and the glow plug light on the dash lights up to tell you that the glow plugs are lit. Even when the dash light goes out, the glow plugs will continue to stay lit for another 30-40 seconds or so. Sometimes this longer time period is necessary in very cold weather. So, some of us sit there for 30 seconds until we hit the starter.

Now, in really brutal weather, the single cycle of 30-40 seconds may not be sufficient to fully warm the prechambers to ensure that the engine will start. So, some of us "cycle the glow plugs" meaning that we turn the key back to the 0 position (where you can remove it) and then turn it back to the second position again and the glow plugs will then light up for another cycle. This is only required in very cold temperatures and is not required, nor will it be helpful, for you today.

Brian, you said 30 or 40 seconds before glow timer stops glow and that is correct. For a full glow cycle, I listen for the solanoid under the hood to go clunk.

I have wondered why the dashboard light only stays lit for about 5 seconds? Why not the full cycle?

On early MB diesels, located on the face of the dashboard was a hole screened by a chrome bezel, about the size of a half dollar coin, inside was a heat eliment that was in sinc with the glow plugs! When you switched on the glow, and placing your hand in front of the hole, and when feeling the heat rise, you would know your glow plugs were doing the same, then you'd hit the starter..............

Also, if you live in the north, make sure (now is the time) your block heater is functioning and ready for winter. I have mine plugged in tonight to test and make sure it is working!


Steve.............

The dashboard light stays lit for the time M/B believes that you need to wait before engaging the starter. Of course, nobody at M/B has tried to start a 20 year old 617 at zero degrees.