The problem resides with one of our newly acquired '84D's. The car runs out fine with plenty of power. Only uses a 1/2 quart per 3k oil change. We've put about 3k on it so far.

As our Michigan temps have been approaching 30 degrees at night, the car will start but stalls quickly. I'm getting real worried about serious cold. There is no way she'll handle whats coming.

So far, I've:

1. Adjusted valves
2. Changed fuel filters
3. Cleaned out the banjo bolt
4. Adjusted the ALDA for more power
5. Changed all glo plugs with a rheem job

Next on the list is a Moly purge, but I can't figure out what to do about the problem.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Diesel Don
First i would install a water heater so the engine would be warm to start with then change to amsoil for the winter also i would use a diesel fuel cetane to help boost the combustion of the fuel. also i would set the idle up a little higher for the winter.
I have done this when i have taken trips to utah in the winter. I have only had experince with the amsoil products and there is other products out there that should be able to do the same things.
Bill

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94 dodge cummings,86 ford 6.9,75 mbz 240d[ sold], 82 mbz 300sd,83 mbz 300sd

Bill:

Thanks for the suggestions. I always go to synthetic for the cold months but I don't think this will help. I'll try your other thoughts

Thanks

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

If you have the rack dampener pin screwed in too far, it won't run smoothly when cold. I had this happen when putting in the newer pin - car ran perfectly when warm but would "lope" and sputter on a cold startup. The cause and effect was obvious because that was the only thing I had done.

So, I backed it out about a turn and now its great starting and running hot or cold.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Ken:

I hadn't thought of that one. Much appreciated. I did replace it once in the other '84 so its familiar territory.

Thanks

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Make sure that you have a good starter and battery. Also a block heater will help alot.

I finally figured that my starting problems are caused by an unidentified electrical problem that I am going to take to an Auto Electric shop to identify...

Thanks everyone:

It was the rack dampner pin. I backed it out and increased the idle and 'whoa'....... it works. Cold starts are now in keeping with the rest of the fleet.

I always use synthetic in the bitter cold months as well as the block heaters, but this was just too early to be struggling.

Thanks

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed