1982 300d turbo

turn the key it tries to start...wrrr wrrrr wrrrrr
doesnt actually turn over
new glow plugs
new battery

glow plugs cycle at 7 secs
relay at 25-30 secs


it ran fine till the -8° weather


its 30 here now

Ok we need to be clear...

"Doesn't actually turn over" means the motor isn't turning when you turn the key to engage the starter. Is that what you mean?

Or the motor turns but doesn't start?

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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

"Turn over" seems to have a wide array of meanings. What's your version?

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

turn over to me means the engine was turned by the starter, i.e. it (engine) was cranking but has not fired and run on it's own.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

"turn over to me means the engine was turned by the starter, i.e. it (engine) was cranking but has not fired and run on it's own."

Same here
Seems to be no fire.

i think my oil might be the wrong viscocity for this cold temp.
think it oil was all gelled
it almost started a few mins ago...like it actually sputtered


sorry for my verbage...im a designer not a mechanic

Sounds like a battery issue.....since the battery is new.....I would go towards battery cables next and/or dirty ground connection...

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No need to apologize, we just need to make sure we understand what you are telling us.

You said the car started until the temp dropped to 8 F, right? It is much warmer now, so the oil weight shouldn't be an issue.

You did not answer last night, when I asked if you had unburned diesel coming out the tailpipe.

Here are the only questions I can think of:

- what brand of glowplugs did you install?
- did you fill up the tank just before this happened?
- have you changed one or both of the fuel filters?
- does your car have the 'original' style primer pump (white knurled top, which you have to twist to unlock to pump)?

If you have a helper (and assuming you have the current version, black-button primer pump) have that person pump the primer pump vigorously, while you are cranking over the motor next time you try to start the car.

__________________


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

Could be a worn starter too...

- what brand of glowplugs did you install? Bosch
- did you fill up the tank just before this happened? no less than half tank
- have you changed one or both of the fuel filters? yes both
- does your car have the 'original' style primer pump (white knurled top, which you have to twist to unlock to pump)? new pump
can see fuel going through lines as i pump


all worked well til -8
actually fired up at ten°

Did you change the filters before or after the car refused to start?

In either event, did you purge air from the system (through the spin-on filter)?

__________________


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 agree. Starter should spin fast with a new battery if they are both good. Back to basics. Check battery cable connections. Do a quick glow plug test again, just to eliminate the possibility. Check the voltage at the battery. If you're good with all, try three full glow cycles before trying to start. Long glow makes a big difference if the engine is down a bit on compression. If the starter seems to be turning too slowly, then bypass the cables with some heavy jumpers, and see what happens.

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'79 240D

ok update.
jumped her.
fired right up
guess i drained my battery trying to start her in -8
ooops


its 30 here now
weeeeeeeeeeee
wheres my shorts