Hard starting 300d
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
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From: Chicago
'84 300d, '89 300sdl
Hard starting 300d
Hello everyone, I have an '83 300d, i bought this from a good freind with a blown motor "he wasn't changing oil often enough" he didn't want to mess with putting in a new motor, and since winter was coming i would not drive my beloved montecarlo in the snow, i bought it!
I'm not new to diesels, I've had a few of vdub diesels and they would never start in the cold "luckily they where manual trans and i work for trucking company, i would chain them to a truck and have someone drag me around until it started" so when i seen this benz start when it was 0 degrees and below with little effort i was IMPRESSED. but unfortunately the new "new to me" motor i installed isn't so easy to start, even when its warm out and the engine is warm i had to crank it for 5 seconds or more after cycling the glow plugs twice, I have checked the glow plugs "replaced 2 of them", also replaced the air and fuel filter, the car smokes when cranking and wreaks of diesel, so i believe its getting fuel "too much fuel?" i was thinking maybe its fuel injector timing but not sure how to check it!
Also this car runs great "when running" and rides like a dream, I would hate to sell it because of this starting issue, If anyones got any ideas or ?'s please respond, thanx all!! ?
I'm not new to diesels, I've had a few of vdub diesels and they would never start in the cold "luckily they where manual trans and i work for trucking company, i would chain them to a truck and have someone drag me around until it started" so when i seen this benz start when it was 0 degrees and below with little effort i was IMPRESSED. but unfortunately the new "new to me" motor i installed isn't so easy to start, even when its warm out and the engine is warm i had to crank it for 5 seconds or more after cycling the glow plugs twice, I have checked the glow plugs "replaced 2 of them", also replaced the air and fuel filter, the car smokes when cranking and wreaks of diesel, so i believe its getting fuel "too much fuel?" i was thinking maybe its fuel injector timing but not sure how to check it!
Also this car runs great "when running" and rides like a dream, I would hate to sell it because of this starting issue, If anyones got any ideas or ?'s please respond, thanx all!! ?
Last edited by Gamesterx; Dec 7, 2007 at 09:21 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 1
W210 W140
Are you starting the vehicle in cold weather? Here are a few suggestions:
-Go get your valves properly adjusted by a Mercedes Tech
-Always use a fuel additive in each tank of fuel. Use winter formulas for cold weather.
-Check your fuel lines and make sure they don't have cracks or have signs of "weeping". If so, replace them.
-Fuel pump possibility?
-Install an engine block heater and use it during cold weather
My old 190D would start up in the winter time usually after about a few seconds. Don't let the smoke surprise you. My car would smoke like a chimmney until the engine warmed up.
-Go get your valves properly adjusted by a Mercedes Tech
-Always use a fuel additive in each tank of fuel. Use winter formulas for cold weather.
-Check your fuel lines and make sure they don't have cracks or have signs of "weeping". If so, replace them.
-Fuel pump possibility?
-Install an engine block heater and use it during cold weather
My old 190D would start up in the winter time usually after about a few seconds. Don't let the smoke surprise you. My car would smoke like a chimmney until the engine warmed up.
