Hugo L.

Well that is a disappointment.

It was cold here last night (-25°C with a -39°C windchill).

No biggie, since I have a block heater.

Well, this AM, I reach into my GLK250, turn the key to the on position, wait for the glow plug light to go out, and then start the car. It fires up right away like a champ.

I then proceed to unplug the block heater, do the same on my gf's car, the car starts to sputter and then dies.


So I get in again, try it again, it starts then stalls after 1-2 seconds.

After a few tries, it only cranks. If I wait a bit, it starts for 1-2 seconds, then stalls.

When I turn the key to the on position, I suppose I hear the fuel pump activating, but man, it wails and moans big time. The sound comes from the back, or under the rear seats.

Has anything like that ever happened to anyone here? I didn't use fuel anti-freeze at my last fill-up, but I buy the best diesel out there, always from the same source. So if the fuel froze, that's kinda ****ty. If the fuel pump can't handle winter, it's even worse.

I had it towed to a garage that will put it inside and see if it allows it to start again. If that is the case, I will use MB's fuel antifreeze, but still...

formerjeepguy

I think one of the guys from up north posted about a similar problem a year or two ago. I think it was HONDO. If I recall correctly it was an issue with the fuel gelling in extreme cold, he thawed it out and started using a diesel fuel additive in the winter. If you search you will probably find it.

Hugo L.

Well, it was a perfect storm of issues. First, the diesel did gel somewhat. Second, my battery was pretty much dead, so it didn't send anough juice to the fuel pump, which was pretty much frozen as well, for it to overcome the gelled fuel.

So they changed my battery and fuel filter and dumped some of MB's winter diesel additive, and I'm good to go.

The problem now is that I can't set my clock, and it sets the time automatically using a GPS signal, except that the time remains stuck at whatever time it was when I started the car.

That will be the subject of a new thread...

ecohen2

Hmm, I just acquired a used GLK250 and live in the DC metro area. When I spoke with the dealer they said that they don't recommend any additives and that it should not have any issues with cold weather. I live in the DC metro area, so I seriously doubt the temp will ever go much below 10, so maybe they are right...

So far I have not had any issues when the temp is in the low 20's...

Ed

Hugo L.

Here they recommend their diesel additive for when it gets very cold.

eki912

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_diesel_fuel

Hugo L.

Good link, thanks! Though I would expect a gas station to have these additives already in place.