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  #1  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:18 PM
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Why slow 1st thing in the morning?

My 85SD is terribly slow the 1st thing in the morning. Temps have been in the mid to upper 30* F. I put it in gear, step on the accelerator and the car moves slowly. I thought the trans was getting tired & slipping but the tach only goes to 1500.

It seems fine after I have driven a couple of blocks. Filter & fluid was changed this summer - perhaps 2500 mi ago. No metal shavings in the old fluid. No burnt smell in the old fluid.

I haven't checked this week but vacuum measured at 18" or so the a month ago. There was a leak on the line going to the passenger side front. The line connects to a valve which also has an electrical connection. I think it has something to do with the EGR system but I haven't tracked it down in the FSM.

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  #2  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:36 PM
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Diesels depend on heat for complete combustion. Cold engine=incomplete combustion=less horsepower.
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  #3  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:50 PM
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Mine does that too, which is why I always let it run for a few minutes before I leave for work in the morning
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  #4  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:55 PM
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its normal, use a lighter weight oil in the cold months and it will help, Rotella 5W-40 works nicely for me.
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  #5  
Old 01-05-2012, 10:57 PM
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Don't worry it's normal for diesels. If you're worried about power, make sure you've done the normal turbo tune up checks, like the pressure tube/banjo bolt from the intake to ALDA which gets clogged often, adjusting ALDA, making sure you've got a good clear intake path, etc. My SD was a slug most mornings under 15-20*F. I try not to drive it much in winter anymore.
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  #6  
Old 01-06-2012, 12:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Junkman View Post
My 85SD is terribly slow the 1st thing in the morning. Temps have been in the mid to upper 30* F. I put it in gear, step on the accelerator and the car moves slowly. I thought the trans was getting tired & slipping but the tach only goes to 1500.
Your car is trying to tell you that it wants to warm up a bit more.

If it's that cold outside, I try to not start driving until the needle is at the 40 mark or above on the gauge. But that's just my rule of thumb.
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  #7  
Old 01-06-2012, 12:32 AM
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Plugging in the block heater will help greatly with this.
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  #8  
Old 01-06-2012, 01:34 AM
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Synthetic oil is definitely a great thing in cold weather. I am not a big fan of letting the cold engine idle for an extended amount of time before driving, instead just let her idle until it smooths out, put it in gear, and take it really slow and easy until it's up to temp. I'm not sure if these engines are as sensitive as the 7.3 Fords, but those trucks tend to "wet stack" if allowed to idle for an extended period of time, especially when cold. It can accelerate wear on the engine in those larger diesel and lead to fuel dilution in the oil, after running an oil analysis on my truck a while back I was informed by the lab my habit of a warm-up to avoid icy windows was not a good practice to continue, so out came the ice scraper.
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  #9  
Old 01-06-2012, 01:53 AM
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Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Junkman View Post
My 85SD is terribly slow the 1st thing in the morning. Temps have been in the mid to upper 30* F. I put it in gear, step on the accelerator and the car moves slowly. I thought the trans was getting tired & slipping but the tach only goes to 1500.

It seems fine after I have driven a couple of blocks. Filter & fluid was changed this summer - perhaps 2500 mi ago. No metal shavings in the old fluid. No burnt smell in the old fluid.

I haven't checked this week but vacuum measured at 18" or so the a month ago. There was a leak on the line going to the passenger side front. The line connects to a valve which also has an electrical connection. I think it has something to do with the EGR system but I haven't tracked it down in the FSM.
If the engine speed is not what you are asking about?

The issue may be varnish buildup in the transmission valve body.

I will also note that cold temperature exacerbates/make worse any vacuum leaks.

.
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  #10  
Old 01-06-2012, 07:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Junkman View Post
My 85SD is terribly slow the 1st thing in the morning. Temps have been in the mid to upper 30* F. I put it in gear, step on the accelerator and the car moves slowly. I thought the trans was getting tired & slipping but the tach only goes to 1500.

It seems fine after I have driven a couple of blocks. Filter & fluid was changed this summer - perhaps 2500 mi ago. No metal shavings in the old fluid. No burnt smell in the old fluid.

I haven't checked this week but vacuum measured at 18" or so the a month ago. There was a leak on the line going to the passenger side front. The line connects to a valve which also has an electrical connection. I think it has something to do with the EGR system but I haven't tracked it down in the FSM.
You think your SD is sluggish my 240 is glacially slow on those cold mornings but it still faithfully crawls up my driveway
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  #11  
Old 01-06-2012, 10:09 AM
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I always drive keeping it under about 1700 rpm for the first couple of miles when its cold, even when using a heater...its got enough power if you're not in a "hurry". It can be pretty slow if started at 0F with no heater.
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  #12  
Old 01-06-2012, 11:05 AM
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I doubt that the wealthy original owners would have put up with being told by Mercedes t o just live with it. The engine starts easily and idles smooth at least down to the high 20s. It hasn't been colder this year so I don't know how low it will go.

I'll try letting it warm up to see if there is a change. Will also deal with remaining vacuum leak that goes to the attached pic. What exactly does this thing do (front engine compartment passenger side)? Will also work through possible fuel issues.
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Why slow 1st thing in the morning?-sd_egr_what_small.jpg  
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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.
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  #13  
Old 01-06-2012, 11:40 AM
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Unlike other diesels MB's don't have a cold engine timing advance... so they won't make power until the prechambers warm up.

-J
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  #14  
Old 01-06-2012, 12:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacharias View Post
Your car is trying to tell you that it wants to warm up a bit more.

If it's that cold outside, I try to not start driving until the needle is at the 40 mark or above on the gauge. But that's just my rule of thumb.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yumeko-chan View Post
Mine does that too, which is why I always let it run for a few minutes before I leave for work in the morning
Bad idea, will cause your engine to wear out more quickly, and increases your fuel consumption. At idle (especially a cold idle) more soot than normal is produced due to incomplete combustion. That soot causes wear and reduces combustion efficiency.

The owner's manual does not say to start the car and let it idle, it says to start the car and drive off. I recommend driving gently until normal operating temperature is reached, and then drive normally.

If you need better performance and heat from the HVAC system during the cold winter mornings, then use the block heater; only about 30 to 60 minutes is required for that heater to do its thing. It will also reduce engine wear and generally be a Good Thing.
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  #15  
Old 01-06-2012, 12:17 PM
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I only recently bought a block heater, just haven't had a chance to install it yet Gonna try to make that happen on Sunday.

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