I am seriously thinking about buying an '86 300SDL but the thing that keeps holding me back is concern about starting in winter. I know about block heaters, letting the glow plugs run until the relay clicks, and so on, but what I really want to know is, what can I expect if I am on a trip in the midwest in winter, the car is out overnight without access to an outlet for the block heater??? Below what temperature will I have problems? What, if anything, can I do to assure starting?
Thanks!

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'93 400E

I have two diesels and have no problems starting them in the winter, especially the 240D (W115).

We have a block heater on the 300D, but have only used it once. Last Christmas morning, I had to go out before daylight and the outside temp was -12F. I glowed the 240 three or four times and then started her right up.

We typically have winter nights that are around zero, and have had no problems starting the cars. We use a little Kerosene or diesel anti-gelling agent or both when we cant remember which car has what in it. Buying quality diesel from reputable stations, typicall those that supply fuel to fleet vehicles such as state cars and big rigs, is the most important thing to do. Don't get your fuel from the convenient store or local mini-mart.

Bottom line, keep good fuel in the car, stay up with the anti-gel agents, and prime more than once or twice before starting on cold mornings. Make sure you have a good battery also!

Using a block heater makes cold weather starting easier and is not that much trouble to deal with. Feel free to use them, but it is possible to live without them. The avg. block heater is around $50, so it is not a major investment.

Hope this helps,

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William
76 240D - 550K miles
78 300D - 200K+ miles

I made it through last winter with my 300SD, first year I had it, without any problems whatsoever. I have to say it was the least problematic car I owned in the winter. As long as you have 4 things:

1. Good Battery
2. Winter oil (sythetic 5Wxx works wonders)
3. Good fuel + anti-gel additive
4. Good condition (ie glow plugs # Valve adj.)

If everything checks out then your diesel WILL start in even the coldest of climates.

Another thing to consider is that here in Canada everybody knows it's gonna get cold so the fuel stations prepare for it with the proper diesel. Whereas in warmer climates they don't prepare for the cold weather and when a cold snap hits their fuel is unprepared.

After living with my '80 300SD for a number of years now, I have never had one problem starting it even on the coldest of mornings (remember, in Cleveland, you have good 'ol Lake Erie for even more bitter cold!). Last year I didn't really keep it in the garage that much because of other projects (and the stable was usually snowed in) so the only logical choice was outside in the driveway. I did use the block heater most every night, but even when I didn't, I'd just wait about 10-15 seconds after the glow plug light would extinguish until starting. Worked every time. My SD has 180,000 hard run miles behind it and still runs beautifully! Oh, and a couple of years ago, I left our '81 240D (which I sold--regret it!) outside for two solid weeks while we were in Florida and the average temps were around -14*F, we came home and she fired right up! No block heater or anything. Not even sytnthetic oil! By the way, that car had 280,000 miles on it. So, in conclusuion, I would certainly not worry about having a diesel in cold weather. Especially the 603 motor. They start much more easily then the 616 and 617s do in any weather! My neighbor who owns an '87 300TD Turbo never used her block heater and never had a problem! Of course synthetic oil does always ease cold weather cranking, but I stick with plain old Castrol GTX 10W-40 all year round and no complaints.


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'86 420SEL
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'84 BMW 745i Turbo

Thanks to all who responded! Very, very helpful info!!! You have eased my anxieties a lot. I look forward to joining the ranks of MB diesel owners!

Steve