Hello Gang! When I start my 82 300D-T in the morning (whether plugged in all night or not), I get an idle so rough that the engine will cut off if you
don't continue to press on the accelerator. I have to put the car in neutral at stop signs/lights to avoid the engine shutting down. When
the temp gauge increases, I do not have the problem anymore. Could this be "automatic choke" problems? I did notice yesterday
morning that while cold and in park, the rpms are 800 (Haynes recommends idling speed setting at no more than 1000) and the engine
seemed to "miss". If it were spark plugs, I'd say one was misfiring. On my 76 D I had the turn-screw switch inside the car that changed
the idling speed for just such events. What can I do to this one to smooth everything out?

Also, once the car is warm I have a "surging" in the engine while at stop lights/signs. Only once could I detect a small amount of
movement in the tach, but you can clearly hear the engine go "vroom" about every 5 secs. It only does this after the engine is warmed
up, and does not do this in neutral or park. Does this mean it's related to transmission problems, or due to idling speed adjustment, or
what?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

__________________
Nello Tare

1982 300D (266,001 mi.) looking and running great

Previously owned:
1976 450 SLC
1983 300D
1976 300D
also
1982 Jaguar XJ6 (loved, but gone)

You will have to perform and amperage test to make sure that all of your glow plugs are working...

I would have someone replace the idle compensator. It is an easy job if done correctly and will help those surges. Also have the base setting of the idle checked after that.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Benzmac,

Thanks. I'm glad to have the info.. I didn't want to just "adjust the idle" without knowing what else could be wrong. I'll check the amps tomorrow.

Thanks again.

__________________
Nello Tare

1982 300D (266,001 mi.) looking and running great

Previously owned:
1976 450 SLC
1983 300D
1976 300D
also
1982 Jaguar XJ6 (loved, but gone)

Nello, I am experiencing a similar problem with my 300SD. I do not have any surges, but my car idles very low and feels like a gas engine misfiring when I first start it. It usually corrects itself by the time I drive out of my neighborhood, so I'm not too concerned, but I would still like to know the outcome of your problem.

__________________
Ben

The MBs:
1976 300D (W115) - 330K and still going (sort of)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo - Sold at 221K
1983 280SEL - Sold at 206K
1981 300SD - Sold at 232K

Ben, I have not yet had a chance to perform the tasks that Benzmac suggested.. so right now everything remains the same. When I have all checked, probably next week sometime, I'll let you know what was found and what the results were. Of course you might want to go ahead and have your amps checked etc. In that case, let me know what you found out. Thanks,

__________________
Nello Tare

1982 300D (266,001 mi.) looking and running great

Previously owned:
1976 450 SLC
1983 300D
1976 300D
also
1982 Jaguar XJ6 (loved, but gone)