Re: Cold weather and the 524TD

["Russ Maki" <rinard@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> On Tue, 18 Feb 2003, Melinda Vasil wrote:
> 
> > Last November, I purchased an '85 BMW 524TD.  My problem is - this
> > does not seem to be a good winter car (so far, in my experience).
> > I wondered if you had problems starting your 524TD in cold
> > weather?  Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated.  It seems
> > anytime the temperature dips below freezing, my car just refuses
> > to start.  Any suggestions??  Thanks!

I have an '82 Mercedes 300cd that I use in cold weather; perhaps some 
of the tips I've learned apply to the 524.

1) Assuming the engine has mechanical lifters, make sure the valve lash 
is right on spec or even a little loose. Compression is critical to get 
a cold diesel engine started, so you don't want any tight valves 
hanging up and robbing the engine of that compression.

2) Use Mobil synthetic oil. Delvac 1 is the best but I know people who 
use Mobil 1 as well. The lighter cold viscosity of synthetic oil lets 
the starter spin the engine faster. Mobil 1 has a new 0w-40 oil out 
there, I'm told, although I haven't seen it on the shelves at Wal-Mart 
yet. Delvac 1 can be similarly hard to find, but many truck stops carry 
it.

3) Make sure your glow plugs are working right. The Bosch plugs in my 
Mercedes are supposed to have less than 1 ohm impedance. Beyond that, 
and it's time to replace them. 

4) When starting, give the glow plugs plenty of time to warm up. When 
temperatures drop into the teens I often glow the engine of my Merc for 
90 seconds.

Hope this helps

Russ Maki
Ixonia, Wis.

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