Cold Weather issues

Hello, About my 123 300TD... it takes forever to start in 19 degrees! Other than this it fires right up. I have added the anti-gel, but is there anything else I could do? I dont have the plug in thingy on the engine to warm her at night...soo....any suggestions etc... my first winter with a diesel and Im wondering how I will get to work if my car draind the battery trying to start when its 19degrees or below? Thanks James

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Body and Interior Specific Aid

Chassis Model Number

W123

Go back to the basics

Hi James, if your diesel will not start when cold there are three key areas you will have to systematically troubleshoot in this order:

Weak compression: this could be due to valves improperly adjusted or worn cylinder walls and piston rings. Have you done a valve adjustment and check cold cranking compression. If your compression is weak the only way you will get the engine to start is by using a block heater.
Weak glow plug cycle: this could be due to old glow plugs, excessive carbon in prechambers, relay turning off too soon, or poor wiring connections. Best to check performance of glow plugs with an amp guage. If pencil glow plugs be sure to ream out the carbon with my special reamer.
Poor fuel delivery: this could be any number of things. Poor spray pattern due to worn out injectors, injection timing off, weak lift pump, fuel filter waxing, etc.

When it gets down to below 20 degrees F you need to have everything working for you. I would also suggest installing an Optima battery. It will give you a faster cranking speed and more current to the glow plugs which can help both with cranking compression and glow plug heat.

Let us know if you have any success. Kent

cold weather..

is it safe to assume that when my 240 starts on the second cycle of the key in 17 degree weather that my engine is in pretty good shape internally? normally in good weather it starts on the second turn of the flywheel. sorry to be a PIA. Aaron