Heater Block Info

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

never had any starting problems till cold snap last week