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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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Been searching web getting conflicting info on heater block.
Basically my merc diesel don't like cold mornings
Despite good glow plugs, o rings replaced etc an article threw up block heaters.
Know tractors use this method but any info on using one on a diesel engine.
Is it pie in the sky or reality technology that could be utilised.
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IMO, sounds like (as an example) fitting an electric fan as an overheating 'cure'
You've got problems in there that masking/bodging may well lead to a larger bill soon.
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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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apparently most older mercs suffer cold starting problems and with all the bits tested as ok the heater block came up via googling starter problems
not intending glossing over rust so to speak just wondered if suggestion as any mileage in it but thanks for input
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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probably low on compression or a slow starter? usuall cheat is a much bigger battery (or 2) works on most diesels that are bad starters in the cold, like all the ones i've ever owned lol
last year is did a twin battery conversion on me disco, every transit Di i've had has needed twin batterys in the winter, sometimes a new starter can cure it Dis are VERY sensative to slow starters.
My old Mk4 escort diesel needed new glow plugs every year and a jump pack to get it going in the REAL cold weather, after 4 years of doing this i fitted a new starter and never bought another gowplug for the next 5 years i owned it but they are well know for rapidly loosing compression and have no coldstart device so are uber sensative to slow cranking + cold .
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R.I.P photobucket
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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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have just got another battery which is good cos merc battery on the estate in the back so easy to put jump leads on
probably stay with your advice on this
many thanks cos i feel on the right track maybe
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Yes you can get them, google kenlowe hot start pre heater or similar, you shouldn't need it unless the conditions turn arctic though.
The merc batteries are the huge 120ah lorry battery type ones - has yours still got this fitted or has it been replaced with a smaller cheaper one?
Also how many lots of heat are you giving it in the morning - theres no harm in giving it 2 or 3 before spinning it over.
Edit - what are you classing as bad starting - its never going to start like a modern DI engine anyway our old mercs used to have manual control of the glow plugs we used to thing 30 to 40 seconds heat in the morning then a really good spin was acceptable - Ether doesn't work on Mercs but a burning rag down the inlet manifold does in extreme cases
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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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yeah got new 120 ah battery recently fitted by previous owner
thanks for all ideas suggestions and input
probably got comfortable with petrol first turn starters
now trying three goes on glow plug light and just put a redex diesel injector cleaner in the tank
probably conceed they will never start like a modern diesel
once running its a first time starter all day
no clouds of black smoke just a bit of diesel smoke for a mo on start up
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Just remembered we used to use a special engine oil designed for CAT machinery in the winter, it was very very low viscosity to start with to help the cranking speed when cold. We also used to leave a kerosine heater under the sump when it was extra cold overnight. Worse case was making it 24v and giving it the burning rag treatment to get it going. Mercedes used to advise using upto 10% (i think) petrol mix in winter to stop fuel thickening and aid starting. This was in the early 80's when diesels weren't common/ or cheap at all and fuel was about 20ppl  |
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MY old SIIA Land Rover diesel was a pain to start on cold morning but a Kenlowe HotStart completley cured that and meant a hot engine / heater from the moment you turned the key. I have an outside socket which is switched from the hall so I used to flick it on when I first got up and 1/2 hour later it was toasty warm  Still got the HotStart and intend fitting it to my van idc as it improves MPG for short journeys. Paul h |
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My trooper has a switch on the centre console that looks to be an engine warmer of some kind,it only illuminates when cold and has a diagram of an engine with a coil in the middle on.
Havent used it yet tho.
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1984 Subaru GLF Hatch
1983 Skoda 120LE Super estelle
1977 Subaru DL Wagon
1978 Datsun 120Y Coupe
1995 Skoda favorit estate
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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One other thought, if you have old diesel in the tank it might be worth topping up again, they sell winter diesel in the colder months to stop waxing ect, long gone are the days of lorry drivers lighting fires under their fuel tanks and on the oil front i've had a few where the oil is so full of carbon tha twhen it's cold it's like treacle, one transit we had to put a blowlamp on the sump just to drain the stuff ! cos it was a non starter and would not turn over, changed the oil, got it running then changed again and it was perfect there safter, all aagin doewn to cranking speed you need the speed to get the heat to ignight the fuel thats usually why a tow start works so well on stubborn diesels.
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R.I.P photobucket
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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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all good info for starting
got to look further into the kenlowe heater but need one at the right price
had considered if a small drop of petrol mixed in would help
any further knowledge on that appreciated
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Block heaters are used extensively all across scandinavia. There are many different types from thermostatically controlled oil sump elements to elements that fit into the core plug of an engine, and now that lots of engines are no longer cast with core plugs there are elements that go into the bottom hose of the coolant system. Some are thermostatically controlled, some timer controlled, some use no control system at all.
the purpose of the element is basically to heat the engine so that tight tolerances caused by cold components are "loosened", this means your cranking speeds are a little higher and also that your heater works immediately that you get the engine running. It is lesss strain on starter systems, batteries, and the vehicle as a whole.
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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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googled kenlowe and emailed for details
going to put wanted ad someone might have one not being used i could use
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googled kenlowe and emailed for details going to put wanted ad someone might have one not being used I could use My Kenlowe is the early unit in little square alloy box with built in pump. These can seize so be wary to secondhand units. Later with seperate pump are supposed to be a lot better. Another option is an aux diesel powered water heater as found on Land Rovers, Rover 75, VW, BMW etc made by Webasto can called "Thermotop C". Paul H |
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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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from all the info retro rides members have put forward i will go down the kenlowe pre heater route although new price is over 300 pounds hopefully fleabay or similar will throw up a new unused one cheaper
in the meantime would an electric blanket draped over engine turned on for ten minutes warm the engine for that first start of the day
this is based on total removal from vehicle prior to firing it up of course
i came up with this " crazy " idea after seeing a minature blanket attached to an inlet pipe on vw beetle
wouldnt try the full blanket without some advice taken or suggestions
as soon as a kenlowe pre heater turns up hopefully problem solved
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Before you blow your money on the heater check that there isn't air leaking into you fuel system over night, you can check this buy getting someone to crank the engine while you open one of the unions to an injector if fuel comes out straight away then thats ok if it takes a few seconds until fuel comes out then you've got an air leak.
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Heater Block Infomudbitz123
@GUEST
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never had any starting problems till cold snap last week
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yes mine only came to the surface due to colder mornings as the fuel was thicker and the engine turned over slower in cold weather, during the summer it was ok.
edit l had to jumps start from my other car every morning, which must have pleased the neigbours as 5.50 in the morning until l got it fixed change glow plugs/filter battery and it was a tinny o ring in the filter housing for the water drain on a xantia( common fault)
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Last Edit: Dec 6, 2011 12:20:28 GMT by Deleted
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