My 1985 300d starts enthusiastically (after a few turns over) down to about -15 C (around 5 F). The story changes at -20 C (zero F).

Then it tries to fire, doesn't, and seems to then starve for fuel and requires about 10 seconds cranking to finally start to fire. Battery is charged and the starter is turning fast.

When it does fire, there is no evidence of unburned fuel in the exhaust. It's clean.

I initially thought it might be gelling fuel... I already filled up and added Diesel-911. Maybe a very slight improvement.

Rotellla synthetic 5w40 in the crankcase. I changed both fuel filters when I put in the oil, late November. Prefilter looks fine.

It's slightly worse when the car is parked facing into my driveway (very slight uphill slant).

Ideas? I've had cold weather issues before (on other cars), but never one that only showed up when moving to extreme cold from very cold.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I'd suspect gelling fuel also. Try putting a light bulb under the hood near the IP at the those temperatures to keep the area a little warmer overnight and see if the problem goes away.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Does your car have a block heater? If so, use it.

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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.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

An air leak may be contributing to the problem. The fuel in the tank may be pulling in air into a line when the car is parked uphill.

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Brad
1981 300TD - daily driver
1963 Chevy II
2001 F-250 7.3 Power Stroke

I also think an air leak would be a good suspect. I would think gelling would take more cranking time for it to clear up than just 10 seconds.

If it is gelling any percentage of bio diesel it will make gelling worse.

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green 85 300SD 200K miles "Das Schlepper Frog" With a OM603 TBO360 turbo ( To be intercooled someday )( Kalifornistani emissons )
white 79 300SD 200K'ish miles "Farfegnugen" (RIP - cracked crank)
desert storm primer 63 T-bird "The Undead" (long term hibernation)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/fe-graphs/sig692a.png

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to note in the first post that this is happening after 2-3 glow cycles.

It's happening with the block heater plugged in or not. I suspect the BH may have gone away as I don't notice much difference in warmup time in the mornings after it has been plugged.

Has never had any bio in it since I've owned it (one year) and I doubt prior either (owned by elderly gentleman).

I have seen the fuel starvation behaviour before as I had a 240d that did this if you parked it for more than a few days. But it did it at all ambient temps. Lots of cranking but no excess smoke on startup.

I am wondering about an air leak as well. But I have never seen one that magically appears at extreme low temps. The difference between how it starts at -15C and -20C is huge.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Sounds like your block heater is out. There is a world of difference in starting with and without one at those temperatures. Usually you can hear the heater sizzle as well when working. Starting at -20 C at all with no block heater is not too shabby.

Thats about 5 degrees below zero F. if -15 C is plus five F. Just to save general wear and tear at those temperatures a block heater should be working.

This is a strange winter in our part of eastern Canada this year. The ground has not even froze up yet other than a little bit through some nights. Although it was getting colder than usual when I put the dogs out the last time this evening. No snow yet except for once a month ago that melted off quickly.

If you think it is a Fuel Supply issue try Pumping a bunch on the Hand Primer before Starting.
Do you have the Newer Style of Hand Primer that has the Black Rubber part that you push?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Yes I was going to try pumping the primer this morning but the temps rose overnight and, as I said, just a few degrees warmer and it's fine.

It's the new style pump.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I hear you.

Can you refresh my memory: do the block heaters have a detachable cord or are they hard-wired at the heater? I don't want to order one then find it's only a plug issue (and I'd rather not start crawling under the car just now to find out ).

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

The cord could have deteriorated. To find the problem getting at the block heater element connections themselves is pretty well required. That is unfortuatly required in my opinion.

I decided to try the primer pump (even though the temps are up a bit now). As I said above, it's the new style pump.

I was able to pump it about two or maybe three times with some pressure being felt... then it felt like I was pumping air.

It started after a little cranking, fired, then promptly died -- and then started the no-fuel cranking routine I've been through before.

I am thinking I need to check all the line connections, and if nothing shows up obvious, replace the primer pump as a start?

Other ideas?

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22