'84 300D did not start this morning.... what happens when fuel "gels"???

This is my first experience with a diesel. I just started driving the '84 300D I bought only 3 days ago. So far I have had a pretty good experience, but not this morning.

Last night it was about +3 F out. I did not have the oppertunity to plug in the block heater. This morning when I turned they key, (after turning the key on & off about 4 times to get the glow plugs going multiple times), the motor would not even crank. I got nothing. Keep in mind, my battery is 2 days old, and has plenty of CCA's for this motor (1000).

Is this what happens when the fuel "gels"??? Like I said this is my first experience with a diesel. I would have at least expected the motor to turn over.

Any advise would help. Also, I was considering maybe doing the 20-30% mixture with kerosene. I have read about this. Would this help my problem??? I only ask because I do not have the option to plug in my all the time.


Thanks guys!!!

Joe T
'01 CLK 320
'84 300D