curtnfifi

Just got back from Colorado on a ski trip with the family. Drove my 2005 E320 CDI (48,000 miles) with 4 Blizzaks there through a snow storm without any problem. Even had a mega-steroid-monster-snow-killer 4X4 pick-up go off the road to avoid hiting us at one point when I stopped (and he didn't). On day 3, it was minus 34 degrees. I was sure that we were going to be hitch-hiking to the mountain; but I turned the key and the car started -- immediately. The car has no block heater (I am told by dealer that they can't even get them -- and apparantly they are not necessary). I did put in anti-gel diesel additive but don't know if that is really necessary. Anyway, I was most impressed; I remember plugging in my 1984 300 SD and praying each cold morning. I guess when you compress diesel to 25,000 PSI in the common rail, thing heat up a bit. Anybody have a colder start temp that this?

JRAMGV8

Temp -34 and the car starts, that's impressive

pinebaron

Diesel rules

Diesel Benz

-34 F? That would be about -37 Celsius. Can it really be that cold in Colorado?

Anyway, I did have a block heater on my previous E320CDI, you can actually have a traditional one on the I6 steal block engine.

But -34 F sounds tough even for 0W40 oil, was the car parked for a long period? The engine keeps warm some time after being switched off, a few hours would be a lot better than "next day in the morning".

curtnfifi

It was in Gunnison, CO, near Crested Butte. I got the 34 degrees from the instrument panel reading. It was sitting overnight. It warmed up to a balmy 4 degrees that day.

curtnfifi

O.K.; I looked at weather.com and the official temp there was minus 22 January 1st; I am sorry if I exagerated. I was going with what my car thermostat said. By the way; the official coldest recorded temp in Colorado was minus 61 F (that's sprig breaking temp even if you get your car going!).
With regards to the blockheaters mentioned, are these easy to install or something that needs to be done by a mechanic? What part should I look for?
THanks.

Diesel Benz

Don't know the place (just been to Denver) but at my place it can be a lot colder than the official figure on low places where the extreme cold settles, specifically if it isn't windy. Was the official figure the lowest for that day?

The car temp reading should be pretty accurate, mainly showing too high temp if warmed by the engine when the car is stationary (even there the car takes this into account and tries to keep the reading steady when the car stops and the engine starts heating the sensor). Not sure about this extreme but I wouldn't expect more than a couple of degrees offset.

In any case, your experience shows well how the diesel works with appropriate diesel fuel (and the car has pretty good heating systems for fuel which helps when the fuel isn't good, but one should avoid trying that).

Also I would not start it at that temperature frequently, fine for once but a block heater or a stationary (fuel) heater would be good if cold starts are frequent.

Thanks for the report and the additional info.

dtrentr

I've been in Alamosa, CO at -28. Didn't have the Bluetec then, in our Yukon XL 4wd, and the heater was blasting!

MB Fanatic

For all you Bluetec guys, how are they holding up? I am thinking about buying one. How quiet is it and whats the average fuel consumption you are seeing?

curtnfifi

My 2005 is not a Bluetech; it still has the inline 6 and does not require ultra-low sulfur Diesel.. The acceleration is incredible. Remember, the 0-60 times take into account about 1.5 seconds of turbo lag, so when you really get going, you really go. Extreme torque; about the equivalent of the 5 liter E class )around 400 foot pounds). The engine never really gets above 2500 RPM and is very quite. IN my model year, the diesel is actually quieter than the E320 gas model. Truly a very fun car to drive. By the way; it is really great in the mountains. Given to approx. 400 foot pounds of torque, one can effortlessly power up the hills in 5th gear. On long trips I get about 34 mpg with summer tires and 30 mpg with winter tires. Not sure about city mpg. I essentially fill up the car once a month while at home. Sorry to ramble, but I do trule love this car. Have had quite a lot of quality control problems with the electronics and have so far had all 6 glow plugs replaced (and a total of 14 dealer visits for related minor problems mostly eletronic like the blower motor fan, seat sensors, etc), but I still like it. Ask me next month when I hit 50,000 miles and all repairs are out of pocket and I may not be so happy -- although hopefully nothing major will break soon, knock on wood.
Thanks.

curtnfifi

Mr. Diesel Benz, you mentioned the car has diesel heaters. Does the MB CDI have warmers that prevent the diesel from gelling? In the tank, lines, etc? I also remember reading somewhere that the E320CDI actually has an electric heater that heats the interior of the car while the engine is slowly warming. Are either of these scenarios true to your knowledge?
THanks.

pinebaron

I simply love mine after having done 17,000+ miles in 5 months. Avg mpg is 32-34 but I have a lead foot and enjoy pushing the car. With the KD-Box (new version from KD for the Bluetec) the HP, Torque (details on KD site) and even MPG have increased. Though passing power and torque is great from stock, you get an unbelievable kick in the back with the KD-Box installed. I will not go into details of my silent speed-kills against v8 gas MBs on New Jersey roads. I have since, calmed down, I don't want to damage my now clean driving record.

Can't wait till they release the v8 Bluetec in S-Class; I will then pass this one on to my son.

lkchris

Installation instructions can be found in the W211 Service DVD available from dealer or at 800.for.merc

Installation appears pretty simple, as it's just screw out a freeze plug that already has a hex head and screw in the heat element and then route the wiring. Must drain coolant of course and check for pressure leaks.

Kit part number is 606 200 00 96

Diesel Benz

I'm afraid I provided a bit of misinformation. The fuel filter on current CDIs does not appear to be heated any more. Previously there was a coolant water based heating arrangement.

I assume this change coming from the fact that the low pressure fuel pump is now at the tank while it used to be in the front. Even there MB used large pipes and the main fuel filter after the pump, thus avoiding gelling issues as much as possible.

The CDI actually has a fuel cooler, at the bottom of the car on the return line. This is because the high pressure pump warms up the fuel pretty much. I'm assuming that this heat from the high pressure pump would then be sufficient and the water based heating is not needed any more at the filter. In any case, filters are the first ones suffering from gelling. If the car starts and is able heat the fuel a bit pretty soon, then gelling is already unlikely. If you get the engine warm, it should be again unlikely that gelling would occur while on the road.

Could be that diesel fuel today is of sufficiently high quality too (low paraffin content), I really haven't made my cars to the extreme lately (like summer type diesel at cold weather).

CDI engines from MB (I consider Bluetec a CDI engine) all have electric heating elements on the interior heating system. On the W210 model (from face lift), the electric heater was a plug on the heater water line but also the alternator was water cooled, meaning the heat dissipation when running a kW level heating element, gets used for heating the engine and the car. On a W211 and later the electric heater element at the heater core, or integrated to the heater core heat exchanger. The W211 heater element should be a 1600 or 1700 Watt unit. This is why it produces noticeable heat almost immediately, even if the CDI engine itself heats up a lot slower than a gasser. My understanding is that this is market independent, at least EPC does not mark it optional for some markets.

MB Fanatic

Excellent news, I think I will purchase one in the coming months for sure then. Though I may skip on all the options this time around and stick with the basics such as P2, iPod integration, Pano, Voice control, and Bluetooth. Though I will add larger rims, those 16" donuts just won't cut it.

pinebaron

I have the P2, iPod integration, Pano, Voice control, Bluetooth and rear passenger window blinds. Only other changes are the KD-Box and replacing flasher headlamps with white halogens. I think I know which 18" wheels and tires I am ordering but have yet to do so. Believe me, the 16" donuts ride fine, tires are long lasting, but obviously don't compare in looks to the 18" or larger rims.

Untertürkheim

Nor can I, that would be a dream come true for me. Do you, or does anyone else, know more about a diesel S coming to the US?

MB Fanatic

Give me the S420 V8 Diesel and I will be all over it in a heatbeat. The hell with hyrids.

300sdl

On my '05 cdi the start up interior heater only functions when the a/c switch is on.

pinebaron

You know, my statement was based on something I read while waiting for my Bluetec to arrive. I will have to re-research where I obtained that information from. I feel my V8 Bluetec dream may have been squashed by the v6/hybrid S-Class planned for release around 2010; no hybrids for me. I leave battery power to flying smaller electric radio control planes (which I enjoy); for larger ones I stick to gas; yes there are diesel model engines too.

Diesel Benz

Do you mean the Heater Booster (the electric heater) or the Auxiliary heater (diesel fuel based one)? You must be talking about the heater booster. What you say is the default but it can be programmed differently with SDS.

DESAL

Hey.. It got to 35 degrees here one morning last week and my CDI started right up too. Of course I had to get up at 6AM because by 7AM it was headed for 80 degrees. Those cold morning starts are a real bitc..... Keep warm you all.

Kar don

DESAL, he was talking about below 0 temps. 35 above is nothing.

Diesel Benz

Exactly, actually about -34 F, going from +35 to 0 F makes a difference but going down to some -34 F makes a world of difference.

DESAL

OH!
I thought in Florida 35 degrees ABOVE ZERO was equal to 35 degrees BELOW ZERO. I could swear that the sand on the beach had crystallized and looked just like frost.