Hi. I just spent a couple of days in Idaho trying to start my diesel after a night of 0 degrees. How do other members deal with this?

I plugged in my block heater, tried some starting fluid, but it just wouldn't catch and very soon ran down the battery. I was finally able to start it with a jump and several hours of the block heater.


thanks!


randy

DONT USE STARTING FLUID for your own safety

if your going to plug it itn you need it to sit for longer than 30 minutes.. its best to let it sit for like 4-6 hours i belive.. i dont know im in florida im trying to rember from what i read



i tried to start my car today it was 30 degrees out and it started right up.. but wouldnt shut down instantly.. i was like .. crap

1. Good Battery
2. Good Glow Plugs
3. Good Compression
4. Winterized Fuel

Lived in Central Oregon for a long time with diesels, that was my check list.

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That's a good checklist. You might also check/adjust your valve lash if it hasn't been done in a while.

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Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

... so, the glow plugs were brand new, I haven't checked the compression (special tool for diesels, right?) but the engine runs well (valve adjust not too long ago...) otherwise and I assume the fuel was winterized as it was bought locally. I did add some RUG; about a gallon. Maybe I could use a new battery but I haven't had any problems with it at home (SF bay area). It needed a LOT of cranking before it started.

What's the danger with starting fluid? Explosion out the air cleaner?



thanks

mine just starts no matter how cold. never plug it in, never need to. i was in canada and it started up fine everytime. must be because my engine is like new.

whats that got to do with the price of tea in china?


New glow plugs means just that, new... Not nessisarly good. What brand are they, and have you checked the resistance? Search the forum and youll find what you need about that.

Good luck finding a compression tester for a MB diesel, either i havent looked around enough, or they dont have them by me.


~Nate

*EDIT*do NOT use starting fluid, its hell on diesels... do a search... Sorry for saying that, but its me really saying "im too damn lazy, so find it yourself" in a nicer way to myself*EDIT

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

One thing you need to keep in mind when starting a diesel in the cold, is that you need to keep turning it with the starter for a long time. It's not like a gasser where you turn it over for a while, stop and then do it again. If you read the owners manual, you'll see that MB expects you to keep turning it over to build up heat in the engine. There are also different techniques with the accelerator dependent on the temperature. No accelerator when warm. A few pumps below 32 degrees and hold it to the floor in really cold weather until a few cylinders start firing. Keep the starter engaged with the few cylinders firing until it warms up enough to fire on a few more cylinders and it can run on its own.
I got mine started at 35 below this past weekend but it wouldn't continue running because the fuel had gelled.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

A synthetic oil might also help, most of them aren't nearly as thick at low temperatures as dino oils are. Thinner oil will allow the engine to turn over faster when it's cold.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=85676&highlight=starter+fluid

"Ether", use and abuse. *Flame suit on*
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=85676&highlight=starter+fluid

heaters, if the weather is say five degrees or above if you go plug it in for an hour before leaving you will prob be fine.

if colder than that plug it in 2 hours before.

if the engine is low on compression it may take longer.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.