Cross Country Journey - Severe Cold - Questions... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

71inka02 · #1 01-01-2010, 11:26 AM

Happy New Year to all!

OK - I'm doing it...my cross country journey in my 84 300D - Leaving Greensboro, NC on Friday Jan 15th at O'Dark Thirty in the morning....First major stop is Vegas for a conference. In Vegas for 3 days or so, then on to California for a couple of days so I can officially say I drove from the 'right' coast to the 'left' and back...

My second key (1st Vegas) destination for this trip is Idaho - going to spend a couple of days in Boise visiting some friends, then up to Stanley for a couple of days - then to Sun Valley for 3/4 days...then home and back to reality!

A few questions/thoughts if you please?

**Trip will be approx 5700 highway miles - I run and am very happy with 'Dino' oil (Valvoline Premium blue HD Diesel 15W40)...Should I do an oil change during my adventure??
**Temperatures in Stanley and Sun Valley Idaho, now...are hitting zero at night, and in late January early February could very well dip below zero with daytime highs possibly in the single digits - teens and 20's I believe are more common if memory serves.....My car does have a 2yr old engine block heater that works well - I have talked with the hotels/lodges where I'll be staying and they have as standard, electrical exterior boxes for plugging in cars/trucks. I simply have to provide my own quality outdoor rated electrical cord. *****Can anyone offer information as to what to expect when using block heater in below zero temps??
**PS...I have already purchased my fuel additives for this trip - some DieselAid+Cetane for the first few legs which is good to 15F, plus offers a cetane boost of 7 points...For the severe cold temps in Idaho, Wyoming etc... I have Artic Power w/Anti-gel which is good to -25F, gives a cetane boost of 4 points --- So I'm not really worried about fuel or fuel flow problems.
**New Michilins, valve adjustment, oil change, new fuel/air filters and new glow plugs scheduled over the next two weeks..., and tire chains are ordered.

Appreciate any thoughts and comments as to questions and ideas...

I plan to post info on my trip as I go --- How do you include pictures as part of your writing....I know how to attach, but see several including pics in with the written text....?

Many thanks....

#2 01-01-2010, 11:39 AM

Shouldn't be a problem, I frequently drive mine cross-country. Personally, I would run 5W40 synthetic for the trip to help with cold starting. I would also take along a spare set of fuel filters, just in case. If you can plug in the block heater the car will start normally in cold weather, just take it easy until the rest of the drive train warms up. I don't bother with additives unless it's very, very cold.

jdh122 · #3 01-01-2010, 11:44 AM

The diesel for sale this time of year in those northern climes will be a winter blend, and therefore you likely will need no additives.

I would prefer to use 5W40 synthetic oil over the 15W40.

glenlloyd · #4 01-01-2010, 11:47 AM

A 5700 miles trip on dino oil would imply a change along the way somewhere, at least I would.

Things I would make sure I packed:
1. power service white jug (or comparable)
2. several HD extension cords (where's the closest electrical outlet?)
3. spare fuel filters (maybe oil filter)
4. basic tool kit plus some special needs.
5. more oil

Right now it's about 5F in Iowa and I can't say for certainty but I wouldn't trust that the fuel was blended well enough to stand up to this temp without additive.

good luck, this is a big trip!!

steve a

pawoSD · #5 01-01-2010, 11:49 AM

I second the synthetic oil....it makes starting MUCH easier on the engine.

71inka02 · #6 01-01-2010, 12:04 PM

Being a lifelong North Carolina boy (dam_ proud of it) and having owned many MB diesels over my lifetime...I've never typically thought about "winter" blend diesel...may have bought it and just not known it.....But having said that, I'm still going to add my mentioned fuel additives as planned for this trip -- I run DieselAid in every tank of fuel, year round.

Ya know --- I don't want this to turn into an oil thread, even though they can be extremely fun....**My car has never had synthetic oil - my indy actually says it's not really necessary and not worth the extra $$'s for my car...I'm NOT going to change my oil every 10 - 12K like some recommend....SORRY, but I'm old school and no one can or will be able to change my mind as to running my car that many miles between changes. My son has the 06 Mini which has synthetic, and the car tells you when 'IT's" ready for a change....SORRY - don't subscribe to that, and actually the service manager at the Mini dealer agrees with me...So we have it changed every 5K...

****So my question -- Being as my car has never tasted synthetic oil...for this trip, 'IF' I used the synthetic 5W40....what is to be expected? My car is only down 1/2 qt. between changes (3-4K)...Will I develop leaks, will it burn oil, or clean out sludge I don't want disturbed while being 3K from home???

Also - I failed to mention...I do have spare filters, some hoses, thermostat, clamps, Zerex antifreeze (Z-05) and a few other misc spare parts for this trip...and yes, I'll carry enough oil for a change just in case....

kerry · #7 01-01-2010, 12:12 PM

Should not see any adverse effects from switching to synthetic for the trip. Synthetic makes such a significant difference in starts below about 20 degrees that I wouldn't travel in cold temperatures without it. In addition, it would avoid having to make an oil change during the trip.

71inka02 · #8 01-01-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Should not see any adverse effects from switching to synthetic for the trip. Synthetic makes such a significant difference in starts below about 20 degrees that I wouldn't travel in cold temperatures without it. In addition, it would avoid having to make an oil change during the trip.

Kerry - You make a strong argument...While I know, or have always thought, that driving primarily hi-way miles can allow you to stretch your oil change interval - I don't believe I'd go 5700 miles without a change...even all hi-way miles. Not having to do a change during the trip would be nice...****So I guess there are others that have made the switch to synthetic after there car has 100K + miles, and have had no adverse effects???

Why am I thinking that leaks can develop or burning of oil can develop -- IS that going from sythetic to dino???, maybe?

Anyone know how to include pics in your post??

JimSmith · #9 01-01-2010, 12:24 PM

Sounds like a great trip.

I recommend an additive to improve the flow of your fuel at low temperatures since you are starting in a location where the blended Winter Diesel may or may not be sufficient to carry you through extremely low temperatures where you will fill up with a real Winter Diesel mix. I drove to Aspen from NJ in the 1970's in the winter and got to Kansas when the temperatures dropped to the single digits, driving a nearly new 1971 220D. The car slowed to about 30 mph when I pulled off into a truck stop and got some solvent. Don't shut your engine off if you have to stop under such conditions....just add the additive and let it idle if it will keep running, until the additive has made its way to the fuel filter.

I would not expect your engine to do much more than thank you with another mpg or so when you switch to something like Delvac 1 5W-40 full synthetic oil. If you have leaks, they will get a bit worse. If you don't have leaks it is not likely to cause any. I have a 1983 240D that I switched to Delvac 1 a few years ago. No leaks before and none after. Uses trivial amounts of oil between changes, which are every 8k to 10k miles. Should get you there and back on a single oil change. The stuff is pricey. May cost you about $50 for the oil. I get it at a discount from the MB dealer using my MB Club membership so it costs me about $23 a gallon. Used to be about $17 a gallon but Mobil repriced things a year or so ago.

Do your power steering fluid as well. Most modern PS fluids are very good synthetics and flow well at low temperatures.

I would also install, preemptively, new belts. Nothing worse than changing belts on those cars in the dark, and near zero weather....

Good luck, I have driven these cars across the country and up to Alaska without any serious issues, several times (well, to Alaska and back in a 240D once). My daughter took our 1982 240D across the country after graduating from college to San Diego, through Death Valley in the summer and back across the country through Texas and the like in seriously hot weather. It drank a few gallons of Delvac 1 (rear crank seal leak, actually), but other than that was unphased. Heat it seems to me, is a bigger issue than cold, once you get them running. Remember, the Fatherland where they were spawned is a colder climate.

Jim

kerry · #10 01-01-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71inka02

Kerry - You make a strong argument...While I know, or have always thought, that driving primarily hi-way miles can allow you to stretch your oil change interval - I don't believe I'd go 5700 miles without a change...even all hi-way miles. Not having to do a change during the trip would be nice...****So I guess there are others that have made the switch to synthetic after there car has 100K + miles, and have had no adverse effects???

Why am I thinking that leaks can develop or burning of oil can develop -- IS that going from sythetic to dino???, maybe?

Anyone know how to include pics in your post??

I made the switch with no noticeable effect. I change my synthetic at 5k but would go 5700 on a roadtrip with no concern. But for me, the difference in cold weather starts is enough even if you do plan to change the oil during the trip.

71inka02 · #11 01-01-2010, 12:45 PM

Great information - thanks Jim!

This car is the best MB diesel I've ever owned relative to oil leaks - I only have one area on my garage floor with evidence of an oil leak - and it's minor...based on where it's at, I'm guessing it's the return line or something around or near the turbo side of engine...My indy has even commented how 'dry' my car is.........**So with that being said, and with me being the OCD person that I am....I hate to mess with a good thing that works! I've had some leakers in the past, and not saying this one won't get worse...but as of now, I can park in a friends driveway for a few hours and not worry about leaving 'my mark'. My car is always parked in the same spot in the garage...I have a small area with 'oil dry' kitty litter stuff -- Never are there other areas or signs of oil...Of course I still have some good 'permanent' oil stained areas from my 85SD....but oh well.

So you say use the Delvac -- Not against that, but I do some consulting work for Valvolne/Zerex Heavy Duty - I can get 'samples' of Valvoline products, but may not have time to order/receive before my trip....I'm going to check Wally World maybe for a Valvoline syn 5w40 - but seriously may consider the Delvac - I get good vibes from many forum members on the Delvac.....and personally - I don't believe, now-a-days, there is much differance in oils provided they meet the needed specs.

Thanks again....And by the way - I'm so looking forward to this jounney, and have been wanting to do for several years....

If there's anyone along my route that would like to meet for coffee, please let me know -- Not sure of all hi-ways yet...but the most direct route as offered by my Garmin will be followed.

pelon · #12 01-01-2010, 01:08 PM

if you wind up in Albuquerque I'm only a half hour south, so it all the stars line up i'll meet you ...
roberto

Codifex Maximus · #13 01-01-2010, 01:34 PM

71inka02,

What about hooking up an intermittent camera and keeping a photo log of your journey complete with date and timestamps? It's not everyday you get to crisscross the country. Have fun.

suginami · #14 01-01-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71inka02

Kerry - You make a strong argument...While I know, or have always thought, that driving primarily hi-way miles can allow you to stretch your oil change interval - I don't believe I'd go 5700 miles without a change...even all hi-way miles. Not having to do a change during the trip would be nice...

I'm not usually one to state the obvious, but it seems to me you're missing the point.

Everyone who has made the suggestion to use synthetic oil is its superior ability to lubricate in very cold weather in cold starts.

Yet your reply to this is your resistance to long oil change intervals with synthetic, which no one is recommending.

#15 01-01-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

I'm not usually one to state the obvious, but it seems to me you're missing the point.

Everyone who has made the suggestion to use synthetic oil is its superior ability to lubricate in very cold weather in cold starts.

Yet your reply to this is your resistance to long oil change intervals with synthetic, which no one is recommending.

Agreed, I use Mobil 1 5W40 with 5000 mile oil changes in all climates.

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