I inherited a 240D from my grandparents this summer and have been having major stress trying to keep it reliable in the winter. I am in montana and it gets really cold (-23F already, and yes I did get it started with the aid of plugging in overnight, a jumpstart from my VW TDI, and alot of cranking). I can't start this car if it is below freezing and it's not plugged in- and i mean for several hours. This also means that if I go into work I cant just leave it sitting outside for 8 hours and expect it to start after. If I dont start it once every few hours and let it warm during work (I even bought a comforter from the thrift store to throw over the engine and retain some more heat when it sits for any length time) I will be getting a jumpstart from someone because I will have worn out my battery. Recently though I went out to start it (14F) and nothing could get it started. even after the block heater had warmed it up, the battery was fully charged and the oudside temp had risen to 35F. nothing. I changed the fuel filters. no help. No gelling (i havent had a problem with that yet even running biodiesel at 20%) was apparent. I had purged my injectors that summer. I finally began to seriously wonder about the the glow plugs/system. I got desparate and sprayed some ether into the intake tube. pop! it started up after a few cranks no problem. Perhaps the glow plug relay went out. But, given that I have had starting problems all season so far, perhaps I only had one or two plugs working, and they finally gave out. maybe it was a combination of both. My father also mentioned (before this last incident) that my grandfather (who was stingy) always put the specifically correct battery for that car in it despite the extra expense because he had problems with other batteries and getting it started in the winter. I figured I'd be ok with a generic 1000/850 cold crank rating battery as long as it fit in the car. but maybe not. any imput on these problems would be great.
You could have a "tired" starter that seems to work but won't turn the car over fast enough to start. The glow plug is an easy check if you have the later model. Just see if the light works. There is a good upgrade to fast pencil type plugs that helps a lot. State the year of your car and if you have check the glow plugs (ie ~.6 ohms when checked from one wire to another.
I agree- a proper glow plug job will likely make all the difference. If running only 20% bio regular degellants should interact with the 80% petrol enough to prevent any gelling. Keep using the block heater when possible and really cold- otherwise good plugs and battery should make it work well. Starters rarely fail, glow plugs are MAINTENANCE, if long term - don't take your grandfather's habits of cheating the car's needs- the battery is is probably sufficient with those ratings, but a series 49 battery is what is called for, but I like an Optima red top to avoid continued corrosion of the battery tray and it's area
__________________
Vince
Club 123D President
(All US residing W123 chassis cars welcome - www.club123d.org for info)
I found that a lot of people don't understand what to do when starting a diesel when it is cold. They keep cranking on the starter until it starts and this just kills a starter. I just replaced one on my newly aquired Sd for that very reason. I have read several post about people who grind the starter until it starts. Unless you are the only one who owned the car you shouldn't rule out the starter.
That's a really good point. I feel that if it won't start after 5 turns, it isn't going to. The only thing to do is to stop, run the glow plugs again, and then crank.
I found that a lot of people don't understand what to do when starting a diesel when it is cold. They keep cranking on the starter until it starts and this just kills a starter. I just replaced one on my newly aquired Sd for that very reason. I have read several post about people who grind the starter until it starts. Unless you are the only one who owned the car you shouldn't rule out the starter.
unlike a gasser..
you can keep turning the starter if 1 or 2 cylinders fire, until more fire, to enable the engine to start.
but, don't crank for more than 30seconds or you will overheat the starter motor and thus risk frying it.
wait for it to cool down before attempting to crank again.
the starter motor needs to turn the engine at least 100rpms to start.
I inherited a 240D from my grandparents this summer and have been having major stress trying to keep it reliable in the winter. I am in montana and it gets really cold (-23F already, and yes I did get it started with the aid of plugging in overnight, a jumpstart from my VW TDI, and alot of cranking). I can't start this car if it is below freezing and it's not plugged in- and i mean for several hours. This also means that if I go into work I cant just leave it sitting outside for 8 hours and expect it to start after. If I dont start it once every few hours and let it warm during work (I even bought a comforter from the thrift store to throw over the engine and retain some more heat when it sits for any length time) I will be getting a jumpstart from someone because I will have worn out my battery. Recently though I went out to start it (14F) and nothing could get it started. even after the block heater had warmed it up, the battery was fully charged and the oudside temp had risen to 35F. nothing. I changed the fuel filters. no help. No gelling (i havent had a problem with that yet even running biodiesel at 20%) was apparent. I had purged my injectors that summer. I finally began to seriously wonder about the the glow plugs/system. I got desparate and sprayed some ether into the intake tube. pop! it started up after a few cranks no problem. Perhaps the glow plug relay went out. But, given that I have had starting problems all season so far, perhaps I only had one or two plugs working, and they finally gave out. maybe it was a combination of both. My father also mentioned (before this last incident) that my grandfather (who was stingy) always put the specifically correct battery for that car in it despite the extra expense because he had problems with other batteries and getting it started in the winter. I figured I'd be ok with a generic 1000/850 cold crank rating battery as long as it fit in the car. but maybe not. any imput on these problems would be great.
I'd bet $100 that if you replaced all your glow plugs you will have a very happy result. I've only had 300D's but it's a simple proceedure and will get rid of having to warm up the car. I had a similar problem with both of my 300D's not starting when it was cold. And here in Austin it is rarely ever cold. I made the mistake of using ether to start them for a while.... I know that's not good for the engine. Anyway.... one time when I had finally broken down and replaced them we went through one of our rare cold snaps. Keep in mind my 300d's didn't have engine block heaters like you have. Anyway... prior to replacement it was take a while to start even when it was as in the high 40's to low 50's. I replaced before the cold snap and I was back in action. One morning it was something like 15-20 deg F... very cold for this area. The car started up on the first try. It was kinda slow as all my deisels have been till they are warmed up a bit. But it started on the first try. I don't think it's your starter... or even your relay. You probably have 1 or 2 glow plugs that are dead. replace them all and let us know what happens. Like I said.... I'd be $100 it will start right up. Even in the bitter cold where you are.
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