Lately here in NJ it has been getting down to the mid to high 20's. My "new" TD starts fine, but the idle is uneven. In that, it pulses, you can see the tach needle moving along with the "pulses". It only does it when the engine is cold. Any ideas, areas I should look at? It even will do it when I am coasting to come to a stop light.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Rick, I have the same problem with my 1982 300D. Mine started after I had a valve adjustment, new timing chain and new rack screw installed, all at the local MB dealership. I will be taking it back. Will keep you posted on what I find out. In addition to the surging the engine also stalls on occasion when your foot is removed from the accelerator, like the surging, only when the engine is cold.

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Richard Seaman
1982 300D Turbo 198k
1987 420SEL Sold
1993 400SEL 123k
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I stopped by my indepedant MB shop and tried to set a valve adjustment for tomorrow, but he was all booked up until after New Years. It doesn't seem to affect the performance of the engine. I have never had this "problem" with my SD.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Now I know why no one was answering my inquire about the same darn problem! I failed to notice this thread. Well, let me just add, my car won't start unless I place my foot on the pedal and take her up to idle myself. As far a the pulsing, I've had the car like 3 years, and never this. I've had it in much colder weathers, but never this before. I've had 2 (2) valve adjustments in the 35k I've owned my ride. A new head gasket, new rack damper and all the trimmings. My chain, while still the original has virtually no streach and has been tested by the dealer twice. She's off by almost 0 degrees. Now, I'm not bragging, but I'm getting a little fed up of the cold starts, etc. I'm this close to trading the damn thing in for a 911 that I've had a jones for. The only thing I can think of is maybe the fuel (now from Russia of lesser quality) may be suspect. Or maybe a true to life rendition of Maximum Overdrive. Why all our cars are doing this is beyond me. Well, thanks for listening....

Are these tough "cold starts" with the block heater plugged or without it?

My TD had a very rough start at 22 degrees (outside) and not plugged in last week.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I believe that having the rack pin set too far in can cause these types of symptoms. Easy to adjust, very easy. You might consider doing a search for specifics and see if a simple adjustment addresses the issue(s) before forking over more $.

Maybe it is that Russian fuel - my 300D started surging last night. It accelerates well without surging when the engine is fully warm, however. I will post when I find out what is causing the surging, and will be paying attention to this thread as I will likely learn something, being as this is my first diesel.

Im stating its the fuel. Never before has this happened, and believe me, my car's rack has been in worse shape and the weather has been a lot worse. I find it funny how we all have this problem.... Thank Mother Russia....

Randall, I'm in No.NJ also. Any brand of diesel up here likely to be of higher quality than others?
I'm on my second Turbo Diesel, but have never used additives. Now may be the time to use something. I'll be going up to Dover next week to get some Rotella oil. I guess I'l get some fuel additive as well.

From New Jersey to the other side of the continent in British Columbia Canada our diesels are surging. I was at a heavy equipment dealership buying some stuff (Kleen-Flo) to ward off the demon Algae this afternoon, when I overheard two heavy equipment operators talking about "The crap fuel" they were getting lately.
Coincidence???

Greetings All,

I thought perhaps the fuel filter was just getting to the point of no return, and had planned on replacing it this week but was putting off till I recieved my new primer pump. New pump in hand and also all filters, probably won't change the results, will it? I get that slight idling pulsation when first started in the morning as well. This isn't a huge surge but it can be noticed while scraping the ice off the windshield. Just figured that I have only been the owner of this car for the last month or so that the fuel filter was simply due for it's change, gonna do it anyway so I know where all fluid changes stand for the records. It could be the fuel, who knows for sure, but I'm still adding the power service c-tane plus to each tank, bout 7 ounces to a fill up. The car hasn't even considered not starting on the first crank even down to 10 degrees F, so this engine definitely has the compression as well as good glow plugs to get the job done so far. Thinking about running an extension cord to plug in the block heater for the weather that will be colder, but so far it's popped right off on the first second or two of cranking.
Gotta Love this car, has been nothing but a joy to drive since I got her a month ago, and everything works. Unbelievable

I would be curious to know if others are sensing any type of surging while their engines are cold, no block heater being used.
If you are plugging it in, let us know that to, as well as the outside temp.

Charles

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"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan

i was so happy the other day when i saw this post. i had just brought my '84 300D turbo home after having the valves adjusted and i noticed the same apparent surging the other guys were referring to. my car developed some serious shaking and i'd tried playing with the rack dampener pin and never had any luck. the non mercedes shop down the street diagnosed the shaking as a lack of compression in one cylinder. (s/p compression test) a post on here told me reliable compression could only be determined if the valves were adjusted correctly. i finally got around to having the valves adjusted at a mercedes friendly shop. NO MORE SHAKING, but the engine surged at idle. yesterday, i turned the rack dampener pin outwards a few turns and presto...no more surging! thanks for the help!!

Greetings Sco_


The surging we all are referring to is the initial starting of the engine in the morning with temps below 20 degrees F This isn't an engine shaking thing at all, but a slight pulsing of the engine idle speed for a small amount of time, let's say a couple of minutes while we scrape the windshield. Most of us were just wondering if it was fuel quality related or inherent of a turbo diesel on cold mornings.
We've been have single digit temps in the morning here and even without the block heater plugged in my '84 300SD cranks and starts in less than two seconds. I will agree that a block heater makes the toes as well and the engine happier in cold mornings.
I'm glad you got your problems solved with your engine shaking. Sure feels better with a purr than a rumble doesn't it?

Charles

__________________
"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan