The valve adjust & learning the cold starting drill will get you going , main thing is : DO NOT let off the starter until ALL 5 CYLINDERS are firing ! . (this from Mercedes) .
If you wait and listen when you cycle the glow plugs , the relay clicks off _loudly_ some time after the yellow glow plug lamp goes out so waiting a bit longer after the lamp goes out but not until you hear the " CLICK " means they'll be hotter and will fire the engine sooner .
Get some Diesel Power from Power Service , it's in a white plastic quart bottle , OReilly's Auto Parts has it on sale RIGHT NOW ~ I was picking up spark plugs for my '59 Nash Metropolitan this morniong and noticed it i the sale sheets...
I'll try to post the particulars to - morrow .
Anything made by " Power Service ' , is THE GOOD STUFF , their products are sold in most Truck Stops .
GET THOSE VALVES ADJUSTED RIGHT AWAY ! .
-Nate
Caitlin wrote:
>
> Nate, I'm eating it all up...everything you and the other listmembers are saying is helping me learn and there's a lot to learn so fire away :)
>
> I have been reading/seeing advice about the voltage regulator...and it seems like a good cheap thing to take care of. It's now a hi-pri item on my list :)
>
> We've been waking up to 25deg weather, but the sun warms things up fairly fast. My cold starts are rough, but so far still starting. I have to hit the accel a bit to get it to turn over, then need to keep it down just a hair until she warms a bit, otherwise she sputters out. When she reaches just above the 40c temp mark I can let go of the pedal and she idles fine.
>
> My coolant is also old, tired, and dirty....I want to get around to a drain and fill in the next few days, and do a real flush in warmer weather. Tom said it bottomed out at 10f in the test so I don't want any freeze damage!
>
> I'll go look up the "drill"...sounds like a treasure :) My friend with the 300TD (wagon) *is* definitely having cold (no)start problems. We changed out his glow plugs a few months back and that's what got me hooked in the first place ;) He's loaning me all his tools, so maybe I'll make him a copy and convince him to get the voltage regulator too...
>
> Today I'm shooting for oil + filter change, and checking in on the alternator/regulator.
>
> Caitlin in Santa Fe
>
>
> --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "Nate" <vwnate1@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Caitlin ;
> >
> > If I'm writing too much , say so and I'll stop .
> >
> > Sooner or later , you're going to have a cold no start in New Mexico , the battery will appear to be dead but it'll only be under charged .
> >
> > This is where the voltage regulator comes in : you needn't $pend $50 on a crappy rebuilt alternator that won't charge properly , just buy a $20 Bosch brand # 1 197 311 023 voltage regulator and pop it in whilst parked at the curb and VIOLA ! the lights will be brighter and the car will start easier....
> >
> > BTW : look up " cold starting drill " in the older messages and memorize it or print it out and tuck above the driver's side sun visor ,you're going to need to follow it *exactly* as soon as it gets below 40 ° .
> >
> > -Nate
> >
>
