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#1
11-12-2014, 11:21 AM
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Cold weather starting
What's the coldest temp your diesel Benz will start without a block heater?
It was in the low 20s here this morning and my 77 300D struggled, but started within a few seconds. New pencil style glow plugs really help. It's got a block heater installed, but I don't have the cord. The 300SD started okay too. 
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#2
11-12-2014, 11:29 AM
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A lot of variables there. Depends on compression which depends on engine's over health, and maintenance by way of valve adjustment, battery/starter health, type of oil,and glow plug system. Still on dino 15w40 here I plug mine in for a half hour before starting at anything below 15 just to be on the safe side. Try cycling the the GPs an extra cycle and you may find it starting easier.
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#3
11-12-2014, 12:00 PM
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Central Texas.... we do not get really cold often... but I went out and checked it at 32 degrees once... started with normal glow cycle . I was really proud of it....
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1980 240d , chain elongation, cam marks reference: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414 http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html evap fin cleaning: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator A/C thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html
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#4
11-12-2014, 05:15 PM
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My 78 starts in the low tens here...
Have you ever changed the starter out? that year uses a low power starter, it is wise to get one from a turbo and switch it in...also wise to upgrade your battery cables to 2 gauge or higher and confirm the battery is good....as was said lots of varibles...
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#5
11-12-2014, 08:05 PM
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Quote:
The battery cables are new. Looks like they were replaced when the alternator was replaced. It was 20F out this morning and it started without a block heater. I had to hold the key for about 2-5 seconds. I've got manual glow plugs, so I kept them lit for about 10 seconds.
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#6
11-12-2014, 08:29 PM
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My 220D has a strong OM616 and I have started it down to minus 12. However, at that temperature it only ran for about 20 seconds and quit. Thereafter it wouldn't fire. I assume it gelled since I don't drive it in the winter and the fuel was purchased in the fall.
My 83 240D is pretty tired. Anything below 15 degrees is tough and below 10 degrees it isn't going to happen. Both cars are maintained and in good tune. Both have good batteries and starters and neither has a block heater. Other than loop vs pencil glow plugs engine condition is the only difference and it makes for nearly a 30 degree spread on my two cars.
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1969 220D 5 Speed (OM616) 1983 240D 4 Speed 1985 300D Auto 376K 1985 300D Auto 275K
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#7
11-12-2014, 09:44 PM
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Coldest for me was -12 w/ an om603. Started right up after 3 glow cycles.
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#8
11-13-2014, 07:43 PM
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Oh, another thing I wanted to ask about the starter...
Often it's hard to tell when the car is still cranking and when the engine can run on its own in cold weather (17F this morning). I usually hold the key down for a few seconds, then release. However, sometimes the engine will not be fully started and sometimes it will be. When the engine has been started after I release the key, does this cause any damage to the starter?
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#10
11-14-2014, 04:06 PM
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Quote:
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#11
11-14-2014, 04:11 PM
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Matt, As far as I know from some starters.... the starter drive gear shaft is thrown forward by centrifugal force on a spiral arrangement...
and by definition when the gear is turning faster than starter... IE..being driven by the engine... it should be ' thrown ' out of contact.. however... much of that could really chew up your flywheel and starter teeth... so I would avoid it as much as possible.
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1980 240d , chain elongation, cam marks reference: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414 http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html evap fin cleaning: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator A/C thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html
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#12
11-14-2014, 04:21 PM
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I've started my 601, 603, and girlfriends 602 below 0 last winter. All on 5/40 synthetic. Made an enormous difference, the 602 wouldn't start on 15/40 below 0.
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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500 Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i
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#13
11-14-2014, 04:33 PM
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I agree with DieselPaul :5W/40W Shell 100% Rotella Synthetic Really helped mine start better in the cold. I guess the coldest was 10F. I never got any leaks either after 4 or so years. It is $30 a gal however.
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1982 300SD
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#14
11-14-2014, 06:44 PM
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Quote:
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