E320 CDI slow to start

[glojo]

Trust me, these guys from Mercedes really did it right, and I understand the scale of that achievement.

Sorry but the 'Trust me' bit made me laugh.

If they were sincere about saying how this was a standard 320CDI then use a standard 320CDI that is in the dealer showroom plus use the fuel that is available to the general public of the country that you are operating in. It was a publicity stunt from start to finish and fetching the FIA chaired by that honest uncorruptable stalwart Max Mosely is doing no one any favours.

If they had used US fuel then how long would the cars have lasted? (in 2005)

John

 

[Mactech]

As long as you are smiling John!
I would wager that they used euro spec fuel (that's the cars market place) in the same way we used euro fuel in Dieselmax last year. Don't honestly know what is available in the states.
Most forms of motorsport are marketing, so yes, it was a 'publicity stunt' but I don't think that undermines the technical achievement.
I have as many issues with the FIA politics as you do, (as does my mate Mr Brundle!) but I can say that the technical guys are real engineers and those are the ones I have dealt with.
Just like the diesel landspeed record, this was european event just using the space available in the states

 

[harveyn]

starting time

I measured the time to start this am.....2.5 secs approx...my previous car was instantaneous......is that unusually slow? ..Discuss...

 

[glojo]

As long as you are smiling John!
I would wager that they used euro spec fuel (that's the cars market place) in the same way we used euro fuel in Dieselmax last year. Don't honestly know what is available in the states.
Most forms of motorsport are marketing, so yes, it was a 'publicity stunt' but I don't think that undermines the technical achievement.
I have as many issues with the FIA politics as you do, (as does my mate Mr Brundle!) but I can say that the technical guys are real engineers and those are the ones I have dealt with.
Just like the diesel landspeed record, this was european event just using the space available in the states

Agreed and if only they had used the high speed track at Corby, England.

The US are certainly improving the quality of their diesel fuel.

I measured the time to start this am.....2.5 secs approx...my previous car was instantaneous......is that unusually slow? ..Discuss...

Hi Harvey,
Apologies for going off topic,
Are you waiting for the glow plug to go out? I watched my wife starting the ML and there was NO noticeable turning of the engine without it firing. I would assume that for those two seconds diesel is passing through the cylinders without igniting? My point being is there sufficient fuel getting through for combustion, otherwise there will either be copious amounts of smoke or unburnt fuel coming out the exhaust? (Question)

John

 

[television]

If this is only a first start problem, there could be a small air leak.

 

[harveyn]

Hi John, I thought the days of glow plugs were long gone! I think it is faster to start when warm so I suspect Malcolm is right about a small air leak. If it doesn't get worse, I will wait a few for the first service in 4,000 miles. Thanks guys.

 

[glojo]

Hi John, I thought the days of glow plugs were long gone! I think it is faster to start when warm so I suspect Malcolm is right about a small air leak. If it doesn't Oh dear,get worse, I will wait a few for the first service in 4,000 miles. Thanks guys.

the termology might be wrong but you still need to let thne glow thingie go out before starting

There might be an air leak but please read the manual regarding the starting.

This is from the M-class

To start a diesel engine: turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock more.
The

preglow indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.

When the

preglow indicator lamp goes out, turn the key to position 3 more and release it.
The engine starts automatically.

You can start the engine without preglow if the engine is warm.

 

[glojo]

And this is from the latest E-class estate manual

To start a diesel engine: turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock more.
The

preglow indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.

When the

preglow indicator lamp goes out, turn the key to position 3 more and release it.
The engine starts automatically.

You can start the engine without preglow if the engine is warm.



Glow plugs a thing of the past

If all else fails then read the manual

I would add that even if the engine is warm, wait for the glow plug to go out.

 

[Mactech]

I suppose that we are all waiting for the little orange glow plug light to go out before keying the starter like model citizens?

My wife doesn’t do manuals either, and she had failed to spot that:
a. It starts much quicker on a cold morning if you allow the little orange light to go off....
b. That you don't have to hold the key in the start position to fire up. You only instigate the process on the V6 and it will either start or time out.

 

[glojo]

My 07 E320CDI is slower to start than my previous pre facelift 53 reg model. Is it normal for the V6 to take longer to start than the straight 6. It only takes a few seconds, but the previous model was instantaneous. (the V6 is much smoother and nicer engine though )

Thanks

Harvey

Hi Harvey,
Has waiting for the light to go out helped with this issue? I am not out to score points. I am merely curious about the long length of time it is taking to start.

Regards
John

 

[harveyn]

I will check tomorrow and report back, thanks John

 

[harveyn]

Hi John, It does start instantaneously when the coil light has gone out . I still find it odd that on my previous car, the light must have gone out much more quickly..thanks for all the comments

 

[glojo]

Hi John, It does start instantaneously when the coil light has gone out . I still find it odd that on my previous car, the light must have gone out much more quickly..thanks for all the comments

Thanks very much and thank goodness it was not any thing serious.

Regards
John