Had to do a video this morning. I think I have weak glowplugs, and I also think I let off the starter a bit too soon, otherwise it would have been fine on the first attempt. What are everybody else's starts like in this frigid weather? Is mine normal? I used to have a 1982 300SD and it seems as if that started better in the cold. Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXHLt4lRPqY

That was pretty bad. Unless of course you didn't have the blockheater plugged in. It sorta sounded like my 1983 300SD when it's 30 degrees and I have WVO in the tank.

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First off, you should NOT have to glow it that long. When the glow plug light goes off, its ready to start.

Secondly, it should not sputter, or hesitate to start. A healthy example should start up no differently than if it were 50 degrees F outside.

Bet your IP timing is off by a good deal. Fuel economy must not be very nice either. I bet it belches out a great deal of black smoke when you're heavy into the pedal, right?

This is assuming it has acceptable compression numbers.

They start instantly, even well below zero degrees, in my experience. Even with 300K miles.

Plenty of power, no smoke on hard acceleration, 0-60 in like 11 seconds. It's gotta be the glowplugs, I think

No block heater? How many times did you cycle the glow plugs?
That cold and no snow? So many questions.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

You sure about that? The plugs will continue to have power even after the light turns off, I thought it was a known secret to let your GPs go until you hear the relay click off when the weather is *really* cold.

That start was real rough, you shouldn't have to crank it like that. I'd start by checking/replacing the GP's and work my way deeper from there.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

I do have a block heater and it works well but I want to know I can trust the car to start without it. I travel for work and the car would need to sit outdoors for a week at a time at the airport and start regardless of the temperature. Just bought this car and just recently started having this problem.

Start with what Justin said. Do the GPs, check the GP relay, then check the timing.

I am not familiar with these cars. More familiar with the SD.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Yes. It is not needed, but they will glow for 30 seconds (click) if you wish to glow them that long.

Check glow plug resistance 0.6 Ohm cold, each.

You can also run a couple of glow cycles. You were on the starter way too long IMHO. Can you pump the accelerator 3 times before cranking like you can on the 617? Or, press the accelerator 1/4 of the way while cranking?Changing all 5 GP's in my car helped out a lot!

Also have checked or changed your filters recently? Do you use an anti gel like Power Service?

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

starts just like my 603 if i glow only once or twice at this time of year.i usually use the block heater to save wear and tear on my starter.had some successs with glowing 4or 5 times in a row with just a short burst on the starter in between

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michael cole 1980 300SD gone now but not forgotten,87tdt,90 300te 4matic 95 e320 wagon

you do need to check the glow plugs but if you do 2 30 sec cylces before you try and start it it would start easier then that video

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

You have three glow plugs not working.



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I agree with the others, it sounds like a couple of bad GPs. My 617 will start just like that with two bad GPs.

I konw what car I wont be buying when it comes up for sale!