i have a 83 240D. lately it has been taking 2 or 3 times to get it to start when it is cold. once it does there is the big fuel cloud that stinks. i am fine starting it if was running within a couple hrs. I do run the car on biodiesel for about 5 years but it doesn't seem to be a fuel problem. I changed both filter 2 times just in case, charged battery, checked as many connections as i could. the car is in hawaii so the temp also never gets colder than 65 at worst. could this be something with glow plugs or is there possibly a low compression?
any ideas would be great.

 

If you have been running straight vegetable oil in it and haven't been starting it on diesel you probably have carbon deposits built up at the top of the piston travel. Once that happens the deposits grow 'till they get far enough down to break rings. If fixing your glowplugs dosen't work check compression. Biodiesel isn't a problem since it is made to conform to the same standards as diesel.

 

yes guys i am not stupid i also have a 1 ton Ford diesel. I use properly manufactured BioDiesel in both for collectively 100K miles. I also do periodical purges with injector cleaner. I DO NOT/ HAVE NEVER used straight vegetable oil.

what i was asking is how to check/change/fix the glow plugs, any diagrams or links would be great. thanks.



thanks