Levi Smith wrote:
So... as of last night I was thinking "well it's supposed to be around 15F
this morning so I'll see how my 83' 300D handles that temp". Woke up this
morning and it was 25F, Pff, no problem.
Well... Something funky seemingly with the battery... It ran the glow
plugs fine, but barely turned over the engine. OK, get the charger... Try
to start. Get some almost starting, but not quite.
So... after a good while of monkeying I found out:
A) The battery charger seemed to think that the battery was about full, yet
it would barely turn the engine over on it's own. (Have I got some issue
where my battery still has voltage, but has lost it's amps?)
B) My fuel gauge has only ever read lower than normal, but apparently the
sputtering I dealt with last night on the side of the road for a few minutes
was because I was down to about a gallon of fuel and while sitting in the
driveway with the left side lower there was effectively no fuel. Had to
borrow a couple gallons of kerosene from the farm and prime for a while.
I filled her up with diesel this morning and she started fine after that.
We'll see how she does this afternoon. Of course it's supposed to be up to
around 40F or higher by then.
I'm just surprised, this battery has yet to show any problems (other than
when the dog turns on the hazard lights for a few hours and I then try to
start it) and it showed no problems yesterday at 20F a couple times. But
this morning it suddenly loses amps? (I'm assuming the battery charger is
looking at voltage and that the voltage must be fairly high if it's showing
as pretty much full...)
Ahh well... If the battery IS the problem, seems like someone said that
Wal-mart had a 1000Amp battery that was a direct replacement? Anyone have
the model number? Or somewhere else where I could get a reasonably priced
GOOD battery? i.e. I don't want to pay 3 times as much for the same battery
that says "Mercedes" on it and I don't want to get a 350amp battery....
Unwinterized fuel waxes at about 28 degrees. That can plate onto the
filter and prevent fuel flow (especially if the filter is slightly
occluded. A loose battery connection (inside or outside the battery -
how old is the battery?) can behave as you've described. Any of the
Johnson Controls 49 size top of the line batteries sold at Wal-Mart,
Advance Auto, Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Sears are about equal and a good
value (the Sears Die Hard battery will be a little more expensive, but
it's no better in my opinion). Price will be between $60-$100 depending
on which store you visit.
When were the valves checked for adjustment. They are the second most
common cause of poor/no start in OM61x engines in cold weather.
Reliable winter starting really does require that EVERYTHING work as it
should work.
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth Ph.D.
Ass't Prof. (ret.)
Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
