It's been in the 20F range when I get up to go to work - this AM I glowed the plugs for 30 sec, started, and then moved the gorilla knob back to the glow position to smooth out the initial start (no more than 5 sec).

Worked great, nice and smooth start-up. Am I hurting anything?

Any colder and I'll start plugging it in. It goes into storage at the first hint of snow.

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1972 W115 220D/8 SLS, Coffman Starter "Ümläüt"

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I don't see how you could be hurting anything, nor do I see how you could be helping anything.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

Thats fine, but i think i would glow for about 40 seconds in that temp.

JEballes, all he is doing is making the GP's glow while its running to assit in fuel combustion on a really cold day. It the same as the after glow feature on some later MB diesels.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

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It runs smoothly on initial startup. I like this, but not if it is at the detriment of glowplug longevity due to exposure to increased compression temperature whilst "glowing".

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1972 W115 220D/8 SLS, Coffman Starter "Ümläüt"

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I do the same thing. I was worried too. My theory is if the upgraded relay kit stays on for 3 min after start up, we cant be hurting anything. But this is just a theory. I would love to know the real answer.

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1973 220D "Emerson"

Hi Stimpy,
Don't know the long-term answer - haven't tried it. I'd glow it longer before starting. A minute at 20F isn't too long. Neither is a minute and a half, if your hand can take it. My series plugs can take it - they're older than some forum members.

My technique: glow the snot out of it, start then advance engine speed with foot throttle just as I let go of the gorilla knob. Then crank the fast-idle knob until it takes over from the foot throttle. Adjust that fast-idle knob (under the hood) so that it is "just" off at slow idle - you'll then get good rpms at fast idle.

With a diesel you want to hang onto the starter longer than you do when starting a gas engine. How long depends on how cold - maybe a third to half second at your temperatures.

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daBenz - 1970 220D