Hello I just moved to philly and brought my 83 240D from CA. There is snow covering my car and I cant get it to start, any suggestions, or is there anything I can do in the future to make the car easier to start in the cold weather? Thank yOu

Welcome to the east coast. You might want to consider having a block heater installed. Which needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet. If you're parking on the street that may be difficult.

Short term add some anti-gel to the fuel. But you'll probably have to wait for an above freezing day for her to kick over. And oh yeah, these great cars are just plain awful on snow covered roads.

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

Besides the obvious (to the cold weather crowd) of checking valve clearance, glow plugs, fuel etc., I have been running four winter tires on the car for the last two seasonss. I put mine on last Thursday night before the big snow here and I have no difficultly getting around on snow covered roads.

Last week the temps were down to 17 and I had no problem starting using the glow plugs only. I guess the heater kit will do me no good sitting on a shelf in the shop!

Good luck!

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Paul

1991 300TE (280,000)
1985 300TD (432,000 miles - retired)
1976 300D (225,000 - retired)
1975 300D (165,000 - retired)

From what two different independent mechanics say, as well as what I've read on this board, Cold weather starting is a great indicator of the condition on these cars. Even without a block heater, if the valves are set right, the battery strong and the starter in good shape, it should start OK.

Welcome to the east coast! What part of Philly are you living? Philly is a city with a chip on its shoulder, buth there are a lot of great neighborhoods, even Center City is great.

thank you for the advise, i just moved to east falls. this is definatly not california. Is there any honest mechanics in the philadelphia area that you can reccomend. I posted this question in the other forum a month ago and no one replied, hope this works.

Thank you

WELCOME TO THE EAST COAST

I live in South Jersey. Just 30 min from Centre City Phila. My 85 300D has no problem starting. No block heater used. A good strong battery helps, and then the usuals: Good fresh fuel with a winter degel additive etc. If it started in the west fine and now here in the Northeast it is a problem, I would go with the battery being the first culprit.. Just my $.0201!
I do most of my own maint with the help of this board. Some things I go to a local indy. Probably too far away from you. Good luck!

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Lindsay Koberlein
Woodstown, New Jersey

Oh yeah almost forgot, some people suggest cycle the glow plugs a second time in real cold weather. My starter solenoid has been kicking the bucket so sometimes I have to do this. As far as I can tell it isn't hurting anything...

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Lindsay Koberlein
Woodstown, New Jersey