It is 10 years old- tried changing batteries ( on 4th one now)- Have changed Glow plugs- changed seals as it was sucking air.
The one good thing is that once it starts in the morning it does not give any trouble during the day.
2006-12-28 05:46:33 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Mercedes-Benz
Try this and if I'm wrong please let me know:
I think you should give its heating coil more time to pre-heat the cylinder(s) thats to fire during start-up. This heat-up period can take a while depending on ambient air temperature (outside) and its resulting temperature influence on your Merc's engine block. Remember, diesel engines don't have spark plugs to generate the heat needed to ignite fuel, so they rely heavily on heat generated by squashing air into a space (in the cylinder) thats at least 12 times smaller than the total space in the cylinder that it normally occupies. Thats what "Compression Ratio" is all about. I do know that diesels need a Compression Ratio of at least (or even more) than "12:1". this super-duper squashing of fresh air gets so hot that an aerosol of diesel sprayed into it will explode (what the engine needs to do its work).
In the mornings, your engine is so cold that it needs a "thermal head start" (as I like to call it) in order for the squashed air to get hot enough for the initial "Kaboooommmm" that'll get the engine started.
My advice once again: give the heater more time to "heat-up" the 'next-to-fire' cylinder (and indeed the other ones). When you turn the key to the pre-ignition position, an indicator with a "Spring" or "Coil" icon should light up in your instrument cluster. I think its color is supposed to be amber or so. Don't turn your key to the "start" (engine crank) position until well after this amber indicator has extinguished. When the light goes out, the cylinders are warm enough to sustain that "flash-point" temperature that will sustain ignition. I'm sorry that "Oil burners" (diesels) are slower than "Petro burners" (petrols) in starting up on cold mornings, but I guess its a small price to pay for all that impressive mileage that the Petro-burners can't yield inherently. Patience.
2006-12-28 06:52:13 · answer #1 · answered by Fulani Filot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take it to your nearest autozone and have them test the alternator, battery, and starter. If all of that checks out, when you go to start it, just turn the key to the on position and let it sit for a couple minutes. With a diesel engine you have to do that. I think it only does it in the morning because it is cooler then. If none of that works i would take it to a dealer or repair shop and have them give it a once over.
2006-12-28 05:54:18 · answer #2 · answered by stanggtkid 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very typical my friend.All old diesels are like that in the winter.Nothing really can help.But i have an idea.Get the remote starting of the engine and just get up in the middle of the night and start it let it work for a little.Do it 2-3 times a night and this way the engine will never get to cool down.Its a pain in the neck thing to do but you don't have to go to the car.
2006-12-28 05:53:44 · answer #3 · answered by ?!?! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wingless Pilot is correct. Also, try adding 1 gallon of regular unleaded (NOT plus) to a tank of Diesel. This changes to a lower viscosity of Diesel and makes it ignite easier in cold weather. If you are buying nuber 4 Diesel, this will make it like number 3 Diesel, etc.
2006-12-29 03:03:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a block heater on it? if it's cold and you've replaced the glow plugs (and I'm assuming the controller also), and the battery, you probably need to put a heater on it overnight. a block heater is best, but you can get an oil heater that will do the trick unless it's extremely cold (there are several kinds, but the main types are dipstick and magnetic).
2006-12-28 05:55:56 · answer #5 · answered by spur4eight 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unfortunately, diesels are known for problems starting in the winter.......just remember that before you turn the car off to let it run for a few minutes, just like when you do get it started in the mornings, it should idle for a few minutes before you start off.
2006-12-28 05:58:27 · answer #6 · answered by rocketgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it because u dont heat up ur car.....
next day, once u get it started, live it on for
at least 15 minutes. and at the end of the day, try leaving it on
also 15 minutes before turning it off.
2006-12-28 05:49:32 · answer #7 · answered by MKZ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may already know this but ,i am a southerner and we dont deal with much cold weather.but i have experience with those disels!yuk..try putting a block heater on it and remember to plug it up at night..sounds like you may be getting close to fuel jell maybe..worth a try.
2006-12-28 05:56:50 · answer #8 · answered by man behind blue eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds as if you may have one or more glow plugs inop.
2006-12-28 11:59:00 · answer #9 · answered by walt554 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some coffee in it... It works for me!
2006-12-28 08:49:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋