Problems starting in cold weather

Kit · 10-20-2009, 09:26 PM

I have a friend who has a 1999 W202 diesel and he always has trouble starting her up once the cold weather hits. Unfortunately he is computer illiterate or I would have told him to come here himself.

Today, he couldn't get it to start at all. Thing is that the Merc people charge an arm and a leg just to let you into their service, so I thought I could pick some brains here.

The engine does turn, so I don't think it could be the alternator. I'm thinking either bad or frozen diesel, blocked fuel pipe or trouble with injection pump. I know that it usually is difficult to start a diesel engine in cold weather because of the fact they use heat compression but it is not starting at all... No way, no how, he even tried asking nicely for once.

So, any thoughts? Oh, other than that the car is in good condition.

McQueen · 10-21-2009, 06:49 AM

You said the engine did not turn over this time. Was it cold out in the morning? Or is it just not starting at all even when the weather warms up?

If all the lights are still working inside, then it's not the alternator. I'm not sure on diesel but in my car if it acts up in the cold weather, I check the antifreeze and I also put some dry gas in it.

Gavin · 10-22-2009, 02:42 AM

The reason diesel engines have problems starting in the cold is the presence of Paraffin (wax) in the actual diesel fuel, which hardens as the outside temperature gets colder. To fix this, you can buy anti-gelling fuel additives at most gas stations and auto parts stores. Then there's the fuel filter, which could be dirty and clogged with paraffin. Tell him to have that and the glow plugs checked. It sounds like the fuel filter could be the problem.

Kit · 10-23-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks Gavin. You were right

, apparently the fuel filter hadn't been changed in forever but just to be safe he also bought one of those additives, even though the gas station said that their diesel already had it. Better safe than sorry, as I always say.
It started alright this morning, so he's keeping his fingers crossed that there's nothing else wrong, because he's having trouble believing he doesn't have to spend a fortune on fixing it lol..
Thanks again

.

Gavin · 10-24-2009, 02:25 AM

I'm glad I could help!

carseeker · 11-02-2009, 07:28 AM

I have actually had this problem as well. It really sucks starting in cold weather. I will have to look for the anti-gelling fuel additives. I am assuiming you can buy it anywhere? Or is it just at auto stores?

Tamara · 11-02-2009, 07:52 AM

Here the link all you need to havefor nice cold days without freezing Diesel:

Mercedes-Benz Betriebsstoffe-Extranet

Left side of the list the brand name for the additive, on the right side the manufacturer of it.

All of it from the trusted mechanics from Mercedes Benz.

By the way, in Euope they sell special Diesel during the winter, so you do not have this starting problems at all.

TomsMerc · 11-02-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamara

By the way, in Euope they sell special Diesel during the winter, so you do not have this starting problems at all.

Huh. I've never heard of that before, but you learn new things every day.

Thanks for the link too!

10-20-2009, 09:26 PM	#1
Kit Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25	Problems starting in cold weather I have a friend who has a 1999 W202 diesel and he always has trouble starting her up once the cold weather hits. Unfortunately he is computer illiterate or I would have told him to come here himself. Today, he couldn't get it to start at all. Thing is that the Merc people charge an arm and a leg just to let you into their service, so I thought I could pick some brains here. The engine does turn, so I don't think it could be the alternator. I'm thinking either bad or frozen diesel, blocked fuel pipe or trouble with injection pump. I know that it usually is difficult to start a diesel engine in cold weather because of the fact they use heat compression but it is not starting at all... No way, no how, he even tried asking nicely for once. So, any thoughts? Oh, other than that the car is in good condition.

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10-21-2009, 06:49 AM	#2
McQueen Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 16	You said the engine did not turn over this time. Was it cold out in the morning? Or is it just not starting at all even when the weather warms up? If all the lights are still working inside, then it's not the alternator. I'm not sure on diesel but in my car if it acts up in the cold weather, I check the antifreeze and I also put some dry gas in it.

10-22-2009, 02:42 AM	#3
Gavin Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 90	The reason diesel engines have problems starting in the cold is the presence of Paraffin (wax) in the actual diesel fuel, which hardens as the outside temperature gets colder. To fix this, you can buy anti-gelling fuel additives at most gas stations and auto parts stores. Then there's the fuel filter, which could be dirty and clogged with paraffin. Tell him to have that and the glow plugs checked. It sounds like the fuel filter could be the problem.

10-23-2009, 01:22 PM	#4
Kit Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25	Thanks Gavin. You were right , apparently the fuel filter hadn't been changed in forever but just to be safe he also bought one of those additives, even though the gas station said that their diesel already had it. Better safe than sorry, as I always say. It started alright this morning, so he's keeping his fingers crossed that there's nothing else wrong, because he's having trouble believing he doesn't have to spend a fortune on fixing it lol.. Thanks again .

10-24-2009, 02:25 AM	#5
Gavin Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 90	I'm glad I could help!

11-02-2009, 07:28 AM	#6
carseeker Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 13	I have actually had this problem as well. It really sucks starting in cold weather. I will have to look for the anti-gelling fuel additives. I am assuiming you can buy it anywhere? Or is it just at auto stores?

11-02-2009, 07:52 AM	#7
Tamara Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 12	Here the link all you need to havefor nice cold days without freezing Diesel: Mercedes-Benz Betriebsstoffe-Extranet Left side of the list the brand name for the additive, on the right side the manufacturer of it. All of it from the trusted mechanics from Mercedes Benz. By the way, in Euope they sell special Diesel during the winter, so you do not have this starting problems at all.