inkblotz wrote:In all mercedes diesel motored vehicle manuals in the fuel section there is a starting in extreme cold weather section MB recommends the use of 1. winter grade diesel then 2. Adding Flow Improvers you can generally find these at most auto parts stores, gas stations (I've seen them at Walmart), 3. Kerosene (max 50%) or if kerosene is not available then 4. Unleaded REGULAR Gas (max 20%) may be used.
Yep. I didn't mention that because I read it and did what I could out of it... meaning I had a full tank of winterized diesel and tried starting multiple times before posting here. Kind of hard to get to an auto parts store or a gas station when you're stuck on a ranch at 9,000 feet.
G Nome wrote:Interesting thought to read the manual. Pretty extreme Mark.
Sassy.
VolvoC303 wrote:Sounds like a glow plug issue, at least partially.
Synthetic oil, like Redline or Amsoil works wonders in cold.
I always have a diesel additive in my fuel which boosts cetane and keeps diesel moving better, both really help.
A couple squirts of starter fluid into the air cleaner just before cranking usually works when all else fails.
Another emergency tool is a hair dryer. Point it on high at the injection area for 15min.
I think it's a glow issue as well... they're likely covered in soot. A reamer is in order, which I'll eventually need to buy for my truck anyway.
Interesting to note about synthetic oil... I've only used dino oil in older engines... so synthetic isn't ok for the OM617 but it is for the OM606?
AlanMcR wrote:It may be that the glow plugs are fine but that they are buried in hardened soot. Pull the glow plugs and ream the glow plug passages. There is a special reamer for that and it isn't too expensive.
Important: Always pull the plugs when the engine is very warm to hot. Seized plugs are an ongoing problem with the OM606 4V head. If you do snap one off, there is a fix for that too.
Agreed. Not my car, but I'll let my girlfriend know she needs them reamed. I'm aware about removing them when they're hot. Someday, I'll actually have to start my OM606, but it's still on a pallet.