My grandma has a 1979 300SD turbo diesel, recently its been hard to start in the mornings...however I can start the car by using some "starting fluid" spray in the airbox. Once the car has been started then it will stop/start again no problem... but if we park it for 3-4 hours or leave it overnight then it will be very hard to start again.

Please Note: Car will start "everytime" with a shot of starting fluid in the air cleaner.

Unfortunetly, I'm not so good with diesel cars...

Please advise??? could it be a fuel pressure or fuel priming issue??

Never never use starting Fluid!!!!!!!! also sounds like you have a glow plug or 2 out
.... If you must use anything use WD-40... Starting ether can do Disastrous things to your engine, as I'm sure a few members will stick up a couple links about it

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

X2, glow plugs.

Please read this:

http://dieselgiant.com/glowplugrepair.htm

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----Adam

1985 300SD 322,000

thanks for the good advice guys...
I installed (5) new glow plugs and grandma's car is back to normal again...=)

What brand did you use?

I would use (and have used) Bosch for GPs. Once when I was in a bind in the Grand Canyon and lost some glow plugs in the single digits (F) I used champion from mcparts store and was replacing them again the following winter.

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----Adam

1985 300SD 322,000

Ok good...we used Bosch....=)

I wonder how many people have caused a serious explosion/personal injury by feeding starting fluid into a glow-plug diesel engine. Its that American style "try this now without thinking or research, ask questions after you get back from the hospital" method.

People do it with computers too, it stops working, so they beat on it, or click it to death, instead of seeking assistance or trying to research whats wrong.

Ok, done ranting now.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I'm not sure wd40 will act as a starting boost when glows are out. I have only used it when fuel supply is questionable or a pump needs to be primed.

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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.

It would do no harm to check the valve clearances as these engines have no hydralic self adjusting lifters. Especially if you have absolutly no knowledge of the last time this was done.

An every fifteen thousand milage check requirement on these engines.

Good tip, it's now on the list for "Karl" the SD.