Does anyone know if MB has engine block heaters for these diesel models?

I haven't looked for one on my used 06 CDI, having coming from San Antonio, Texas it's entire life, but I'm curious if anyone has one on their CDI or Bluetec? Or, has installed one, and if so, did you use one from MB parts?

If they're available, I'd like to look into installing one on my CDI.

Why? It doesn't even get cold enough here that you have to wait for the glow plugs, let alone need heat to start the engine!

Which 'BlueTec'? I know they are available and are OE equipment for the 2.1's in Canada. I'm sure there is an OE one for the 3 liters as well. The 2.1's are not really block heaters though they function in that way. It's hooked into one of the hoses with a pump that heats the water enough to open the 'stat and circulate the hot water.

SRJ has an '06 211 with the OM648 straight six CDi engine. I'm sure it has provisions for a block heater, but no idea whether it comes pre-installed.

I wonder if it is the same as the w210/OM606 combo. We got those with the block heater installed, but you had to amble down to the dealer and get a cord to plug it in...

Here in Virginia Beach, VA this morning we had 15 deg F temperatures.

My 2005 CDI glowed for a few seconds, then fired right up.

Since it's a Texas car, I have not seen a plug and harness for the block heater, but if it starts like this when it's 15 deg F, I don't see any need for one.

Jim

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Not for here Texas necessarily, but when in Nebraska or on-the-road in the wintertime.

I referenced Bluetecs for any other W211 owners of the V6 that may have had experience with the block heater too.

Yes, the M648. I too, had the block heater install when I bought it new from MB dealer. I specifically instructed that it, and the front license plate holder on the W210/OM606 be installed from new, as complimentary add-ons included from MB.

Jim, I don't guess it's necessary to start down to 0 deg F, I just want one for up north and easier starts.


This is a good place to perhaps get my thoughts and other concerns/Qs out there on these (newer diesels).

My 1st MB diesel was the 83 300SD. It's Owners Manual gave explicit and complete Cold Weather starting procedures. I followed those procedures one cold morning down around 15 F, and they worked.

The W210/OM606's Owners Manual had no such instructions as I recall. However, I would glow it twice before cranking a cold start without the block heater plugged-in. The glow plug dashboard light on the OM606 indicates a several second time delay before it's ready to crank.

The W211 M648 glow plug indicator seems to be just a formality of sorts because it flashes for about 1 second, before indicating the engine is ready to be cranked.

Does the glow continue, or does it extinguish electrical glow when the light goes out? If it does keep glowing, would it not make sense to wait a couple three more seconds to let it do a bit more preheating?

My thoughts on the short glow-cycle indicator are these; does this engine not require much of a glow time because of advanced glowing capability on this car model? Or, is it just a formality because of this engine's lower compression than previous MB diesels? Which doesn't seem to make sense, because after all the explosion process is because of the compressed airspace. So, why the short glow-cycle?

Further, if these newer MB diesels, CDI and newer have lower compression, do these lower compression engines not need much if any glowing? Which brings me to the notion that maybe they won't benefit from a technical standpoint from a block heater, as much as the previous MB diesels did.

Your thoughts please?

CDI motors don't need a block heater realistically unless you live where its -10 or less all winter. My TDI started up this past week when it was -4F the same as it does when its 50F.....glow cycle lasted about 8-10 seconds. Started in less than 2 cranks. Then again my 617 didn't have any issues either, but that's very dependent on engine/battery/glowplug/starter health.

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Great news! It was -19°F this morning and went out to see if it would start (2007 E320 Blutec) and it started on the second revolution. I guess you don't need a block heater. Pre glowed it twice.

We also have to remember the common rail ECU's have complete control over injection timing and quantity, unlike the IDI engines we're all familiar with. It can take into account coolant and ambient temp and adjust accordingly, not unlike EFI in gassers.

The GP's also heat up much more quickly. I think they started to go with high speed ceramic plugs in these engines. I know on my dad's CDI, at above freezing temps at least you can crank it cold like a gas engine and it'll start right up without having to wait. We always wait for the light, but it's interesting to say the least. Try that with my 300D and you'll crank for a few seconds and then it'll caugh, smoke and sputter to life.

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Dale

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Pre-glow - A moment of silence in honor of Rudolph Diesel

I was under the impression after around 2008 most manufacturers did away with providing any means to add a conventional block heater. I have only heard good things of the cold start abilities of the 211 even in the most severe of Canadian conditions. I still have a hard time believing it but have witnessed it with diesel Mercedes, fords and dodges.

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I own a 2008 Bluetec that was built in 2007. The owners manual says that block heaters are standard equipment in Canada and not available in the U.S.

My car usually sits in a heated garage. However, I wanted to know how well it would start when cold. I parked it outside on a recent cold night when the temperature was below 0-F. I pressed the start button in the middle of the shifter and it started right up like it was a summer day. The glow light is normally on about one second when starting. I could not detect the glow cycle being any longer than usual.

Located in central Iowa.