[MBZ] The big test

[Curt Raymond]

So tonight the temp is predicted to hit a low of -9F.
I KNOW my 190D will start at that temp, or rather I expect it will, it starts 
perfectly well at 11F which is the coldest I've ever had opportunity to try it 
at.
Be that as it may last weekend at the hardware store I noticed a $6 Christmas 
light timer. I've always wanted to have the block heater on my car come on 
automagically so I grabbed it. Tonight I've wired it up, at 4:30am tomorrow it 
should click on so at 7am when I'm ready to leave my car should start as if it 
were a warm June day.

Thats the idea anyway. 2.5 hours is probably way more time than is actually 
needed for the engine to be reasonably warm but with my luck the cold will make 
the foolish thing keep slow time and I'll actually only get 5 minutes of heat 
before its time to go...

I'm not really worried about the car being able to start you know. I'm not even 
interested in how keeping the engine warm will reduce startup wear (although it 
probably will). No indeed I'm more interested in the fact that pre-warming the 
engine should significantly cut down on the amount of driving I have to endure 
before the heat comes on.

My wife is a bit miffed that we've spent $180,000 on a house so I have 
somewhere to plug in my car.

-Curt

In case you didn't get it from the last line I was attempting humor here. Of 
course my brand of humor does tend to be a bit dry...

 
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Your friend was way off base - 360/5 = 72 degrees - very do-able. Then
there are the aircraft radial engines - 5 cyl, 7 cyl (I have many
hours behind one of those), 9 cyl, etc. Now that I think about it, I
don't know of any even cylindered radial engines (excluding Wankels,
that I don't know anything about at all).


> I even had an argument with a friend about the engine. He stated that it
> could not be a 5 cylinder engine because "you can't balance an engine with a
> odd number of cylinders" I responded with "and how many cylinders does your
> lawnmower have" and "is that an even or odd number".
>
> Thanks,
> Tom Hargrave

-- 
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just
sit there."
Will Rogers
'90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Peter Frederick]

It'll start unless the fuel is gelled.

Peter

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[OK Don]

Don't forget that you now get to buy and used lawnmowers, tillers,
trimmers, snow blowers, all sorts of other power tools. And don't
forget that you now get to replace hot water heaters, roofs, paint the
trim, pay property taxes, and all the other blessings of home
ownership!



My wife is a bit miffed that we've spent $180,000 on a house so I have 
somewhere to plug in my car.

-Curt

In case you didn't get it from the last line I was attempting humor here. Of 
course my brand of humor does tend to be a bit dry...



--
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just
sit there."
Will Rogers
'90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Tom Hargrave]

14F was about the lowest my 300D would start unassisted. By the way, you'll
do better keeping a charger on the battery. Batteries start really loosing
capacity at those temps & a charger will help keep it warm. Back when I
lived in the frigid North (western NY State), we used to buy plug-in heat
pads that would sit in the battery tray, under the battery. The pad would
keep the battery warm enough to start the car regardless of the temperature.
I wonder if they are still available.

Thanks,
Tom Hargrave
www.kegkits.com
256-656-1924
 

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Curt Raymond
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 8:26 PM
To: Diesel List
Subject: [MBZ] The big test

So tonight the temp is predicted to hit a low of -9F.
I KNOW my 190D will start at that temp, or rather I expect it will, it
starts perfectly well at 11F which is the coldest I've ever had opportunity
to try it at.
Be that as it may last weekend at the hardware store I noticed a $6
Christmas light timer. I've always wanted to have the block heater on my car
come on automagically so I grabbed it. Tonight I've wired it up, at 4:30am
tomorrow it should click on so at 7am when I'm ready to leave my car should
start as if it were a warm June day.

Thats the idea anyway. 2.5 hours is probably way more time than is actually
needed for the engine to be reasonably warm but with my luck the cold will
make the foolish thing keep slow time and I'll actually only get 5 minutes
of heat before its time to go...

I'm not really worried about the car being able to start you know. I'm not
even interested in how keeping the engine warm will reduce startup wear
(although it probably will). No indeed I'm more interested in the fact that
pre-warming the engine should significantly cut down on the amount of
driving I have to endure before the heat comes on.

My wife is a bit miffed that we've spent $180,000 on a house so I have
somewhere to plug in my car.

-Curt

In case you didn't get it from the last line I was attempting humor here. Of
course my brand of humor does tend to be a bit dry...

 
-
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Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Jim Cathey]

I wonder if they [battery heater] are still available.


They are.  The Frankenheap's preheater system includes a battery
charger, more for warming up the battery than for putting any
charge on it.

-- Jim

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[kevin kraly]

My wife is a bit miffed that we've spent $180,000 on a house so I have 
somewhere to plug in my car.


Funny indeed!  I want another house with an oversized 3 car garage to fit 
the 300SD with enough room to work on it as well as room enough for the 
Dodge pickup and our recumbent tandem bike.  A nice workbench for working on 
car parts and, of course, the little RC cars as well would be ideal.  It's 
gonna be just a BIT more than $180K though!


Kevin in Hillsboro, OR
1983 300SD 265K miles, Ursula who's started reliably without a block heater 
down to 15F which is as cold as it's gotten here 

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Zoltan Finks]

Have you seen those pulley operated hanging devices for bicycles in garages?
Gets them up at ceiling level. MIght be good for a recumbent.

Brian

Kevin wrote:

I want another house with an oversized 3 car garage to fit
the 300SD with enough room to work on it as well as room enough for the
Dodge pickup and our recumbent tandem bike.

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[kevin kraly]

pulley operated hanging devices for bicycles in garages?

My parents have some to hang their bikes, and they aren't even at head level 
since their garage has a 12' ceiling!  Our garage ceiling is only 9' or so, 
not high enough to hang this one without it being in the way.  It's built 
using two bikes fitted together side by side with a special kit comprised of 
bars, cables and turnbuckles to keep things tight.  The front handlebars 
steer in tandem via a tie rod and a piece mounted to each stem.  It's far 
more comfortable than a standard bike, and much safer too.  A slightly used 
demo model cost me $300 more than the 300SD!


Kevin in Hillsboro, OR
1983 300SD 265K miles, Ursula 

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Mitch Haley]

kevin kraly wrote:
> 
> Funny indeed!  I want another house with an oversized 3 car garage to fit
> the 300SD with enough room to work on it as well as room enough for the
> Dodge pickup and our recumbent tandem bike.  A nice workbench for working on
> car parts and, of course, the little RC cars as well would be ideal.  It's
> gonna be just a BIT more than $180K though!

I looked at a foreclosure yesterday. One acre, fairly new 36x24 garage
with insulation and furnace, two carpeted rooms in the corner of the
garage, one with a big bench. Also comes with a small 2 bedroom house
and a storage shed. Freddie Mac wants $40k for it. House is old, but
doesn't look bad from the outside. I've got to get the keybox combo
and go back today.

Re: [MBZ] The Big Test

[Dan Weeks]

On Jan 16, 2007, at 8:34 PM, Curt wrote:


Of course my brand of humor does tend to be a bit dry...


Ayuh.


Dan Weeks
Originally from Maine
Freelance Writer and Photographer
515/279-4825
[EMAIL PROTECTED]



Dan Weeks
Freelance Writer and Photographer
515/279-4825
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Curt Raymond]

With a good battery and everything in perfect order my 240D would start at 
-10F. The 190D starts easier at 10F than the 240D did so I expect it'll be able 
to start at even colder minimum temps.

-Curt

Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:37:27 -0600
From: "Tom Hargrave" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [MBZ] The big test
To: "'Mercedes Discussion List'" 
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Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

14F was about the lowest my 300D would start unassisted. By the way, 
you'll
do better keeping a charger on the battery. Batteries start really 
loosing
capacity at those temps & a charger will help keep it warm. Back when I
lived in the frigid North (western NY State), we used to buy plug-in 
heat
pads that would sit in the battery tray, under the battery. The pad 
would
keep the battery warm enough to start the car regardless of the 
temperature.
I wonder if they are still available.

Thanks,
Tom Hargrave
www.kegkits.com
256-656-1924

  
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Subject: Re: [MBZ] The big test
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Started just like it was July. I didn't even give it a full glow cycle as I was 
curious to see what it would do.
The temp needle was climbing almost before I got out of the driveway. I had 
heat in less than a mile and had to turn down the blower about 10 minutes 
before I usually do.

I'd like to see some snow... So far this car handles really well on the ice. 
Fred Moir gave me 3 wheels that I'd intended to mount snow tires on but they're 
still in the trunk where we put them when I picked 'em up. The extra weight 
seems (so far) to be plenty.
Of course the first year I drove the 240D it was fine in the snow. The second 
year I had it I was all over the road so I bought snows for all 4 wheels and 
drove it that way for 2 more years...

-Curt

Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:52:07 -0500
From: "Dwight E. Giles, Jr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [MBZ] The big test
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Curt
Good luck starting.  I am hoping for your temperatures here one of 
these
days to see if my 300D will start at below zero F without plugging it 
in.
I like your humour-like a good wine-dry and subtle.
Dwight

Dwight E. Giles, Jr.
1979 240D-250K + miles
1990 300D 2.5t 135K miles
Wickford, RI

 
-
Don't get soaked.  Take a quick peak at the forecast 
 with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut.
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Re: [MBZ] The big test

[OK Don]

That does sound like an interesting bike - do you konw of any links to
pictures, descriptions, etc.???


 It's built
using two bikes fitted together side by side with a special kit comprised of
bars, cables and turnbuckles to keep things tight.  The front handlebars
steer in tandem via a tie rod and a piece mounted to each stem.  It's far
more comfortable than a standard bike, and much safer too.  A slightly used
demo model cost me $300 more than the 300SD!

Kevin in Hillsboro, OR


--
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just
sit there."
Will Rogers
'90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[degcoast]

Yes-so did my 300D 2.5-it was 10F and no hint of winter.  I am assuming I will 
never have to uncoil the block heater plug.  Almost disappointing as starting 
the 240D is more exciting and involves manly skills like tweaking the cold 
idle, double glow, etc.

How cold was it in N. MA this AM?
Dwight
 Curt Raymond <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 
> 
> Started just like it was July. 


> Dwight E. Giles, Jr.
> 1979 240D-250K + miles
> 1990 300D 2.5t 135K miles
> Wickford, RI
> 
>  
> -
> Don't get soaked.  Take a quick peak at the forecast 
>  with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut.
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com

--
Dwight E. Giles, Jr.
Bissell Cove Quahog & Auto Salvage Co.
Wickford, RI

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Jim Cathey]

I looked at a foreclosure yesterday. One acre, fairly new 36x24 garage
with insulation and furnace, two carpeted rooms in the corner of the
garage, one with a big bench. Also comes with a small 2 bedroom house
and a storage shed. Freddie Mac wants $40k for it. House is old, but
doesn't look bad from the outside. I've got to get the keybox combo
and go back today.


Sounds promising.  24x36 is a nice 3-car size, into which you can
usually jam two more toy cars sideways at the front if you don't
cram it too full of other crap.  We have four in our 3-car garage
right now.  The 450 SL (for sale!) lurks off the front of the
250C and 200D parking.  The poor 190D, 300D, and 300CD have to
live outside right now.  We've also been toying with the idea of
selling the 300D.  (The infamous Chicken Wagon.)

-- Jim

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[andrew strasfogel]

Speaking of garages, today (my birthday) brings me back to a fantasy I have
had for some time:  to purchase a lift for my garage.  It would have to be
110 volts and SAFE, preferably idiot proof so my sig. other would
(grudgingly) approve.

Here is one that meets my criteria and doesn't even need to be bolted
down:
*http://tinyurl.com/2b7alt*


On 1/17/07, Jim Cathey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


> I looked at a foreclosure yesterday. One acre, fairly new 36x24 garage
> with insulation and furnace, two carpeted rooms in the corner of the
> garage, one with a big bench. Also comes with a small 2 bedroom house
> and a storage shed. Freddie Mac wants $40k for it. House is old, but
> doesn't look bad from the outside. I've got to get the keybox combo
> and go back today.

Sounds promising.  24x36 is a nice 3-car size, into which you can
usually jam two more toy cars sideways at the front if you don't
cram it too full of other crap.  We have four in our 3-car garage
right now.  The 450 SL (for sale!) lurks off the front of the
250C and 200D parking.  The poor 190D, 300D, and 300CD have to
live outside right now.  We've also been toying with the idea of
selling the 300D.  (The infamous Chicken Wagon.)

-- Jim


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Re: [MBZ] The big test

[kevin kraly]

Now that sounds like quite the garage!  If you bought that for $40K, you 
would still have enough to add onto the house or tear it down and rebuild to 
meet your needs.


Kevin in Hillsboro, OR
1983 300SD 265K miles, Ursula 

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Marshall Booth]

Curt Raymond wrote:

So tonight the temp is predicted to hit a low of -9F.
I KNOW my 190D will start at that temp, or rather I expect it will, it starts 
perfectly well at 11F which is the coldest I've ever had opportunity to try it 
at.
Be that as it may last weekend at the hardware store I noticed a $6 Christmas 
light timer. I've always wanted to have the block heater on my car come on 
automagically so I grabbed it. Tonight I've wired it up, at 4:30am tomorrow it 
should click on so at 7am when I'm ready to leave my car should start as if it 
were a warm June day.

Thats the idea anyway. 2.5 hours is probably way more time than is actually 
needed for the engine to be reasonably warm but with my luck the cold will make 
the foolish thing keep slow time and I'll actually only get 5 minutes of heat 
before its time to go...

I'm not really worried about the car being able to start you know. I'm not even 
interested in how keeping the engine warm will reduce startup wear (although it 
probably will). No indeed I'm more interested in the fact that pre-warming the 
engine should significantly cut down on the amount of driving I have to endure 
before the heat comes on.

My wife is a bit miffed that we've spent $180,000 on a house so I have 
somewhere to plug in my car.



The 601.921 engine that's running well and whose fuel is water free and 
fully winterized and with Mobil 1 in the sump should reliably start 
WITHOUT the block heater down to 10 below zero F if you follow the 
Mercedes instructions to the letter. My 601.912 (not equipped with a 
block heater) has started at -15, but that was really close and I wasn't 
sure it was going to make it. With the block heater on for a bit more 
than an hour, I've had NO trouble with a car cold soaked down to -24.


Marshall
--
Marshall Booth Ph.D.
Ass't Prof. (ret.)
Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Re: [MBZ] The big test

[Mitch Haley]

Jim Cathey wrote:
> Sounds promising.  24x36 is a nice 3-car size, into which you can
> usually jam two more toy cars sideways at the front if you don't
> cram it too full of other crap. 

This one has an office and workshop in the back on one end.
I figure a 300SD will fit crossways in front of those rooms.
The other half of the garage can hold a Taurus and 190E parked
normally, with a 190D sideways in front of them. 

If I were to build a detached garage for myself, it would be
24x48 or 30x40. (or I'd build a 45x72x14 and rent out winter
storage space, one of the lots I'm looking at is within
walking distance of a freeway exit)
Mitch.