Hi. I bought my 1981 300D early in the Arizona summer and have had no trouble starting it. This morning it was the coldest it has been since I bought the car and I could not get it to start. Many of you will probably laugh when I say it was in the upper 40s this morning, but I think my starting problem must have had to do with the temperature.

I'm totally new to the diesel world and any tips for starting this old gal on cold mornings would be appreciated. To be honest, I'm not even sure how to best use the idle adjustment **** on the instrument cluster in this situation. My car does not have a plug-in block warmer, but I shouldn't think it necessary in my climate anyway.

Thanks.

 

I was having the same trouble last week also. I am new to the world of the Mercedes. Would anyone know why I would also having trouble starting my car? It wasn't that cold yet here.

 

More than likely, you have one or more faulty glow plugs

 

FLORIDA car in New England - hard to start
I'm having trouble starting my 2010 GLK350 - and initially I suspected a battery problem because of the cold weather ( zero last night) - but now also suspect the starting problem might also be caused by my Florida car oil being not suited for cold New English visits. Engine caught then died - did that several times- just catching,sputtering then died - luckily I was persistent had enough battery power - and it started - ran very rough- but then ran OK. I'm due for a major service when I return to Florida in just two weeks but in the mean time - I'ts soooo ccccooooold - should I put in some form of oil additive ( car is garaged but I can't heat the garage!) ?