my compresion is low and I can't get started. Anyone know how one would go about adding oil to the combustion chamber in order to increse compression and get this b!t(h...er...lovely lady started. It is low on the dip stick, but before I just go topping it up, is there a better way to get oil down into the combustion chamber, Glow Plug Holes? Intake valves? Oil filler?

That is really not a good idea ....
Better to make sure you battery is really charged up...
that all your connections are clean and tight...
and then glow for a timed one minute before hitting the starter button
and have someone else put a 3 second spray of aerosol starter spray into the intake...

Lots of theads... but several people will immediately post saying this will BLOW up your engine... ignore them.... and read the posts in the archives.. use JimSmith as the poster name in the advanced search to get the best answer...

Have you first confirmed you've got a functioning glow?

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I would not go as far as to say Blow Up....but excessive use of "Starting Fluid" aka Ether.....will wash any lubricant from the cylinder walls, and not do your engine any good......

Let's face it folks.....most Americans think that if a little works....then a bunch more will be lots better.....this is most definitely not the case when dealing with any starting fluid....including WD-40.....a little goes a long way.....

Also out here in the rural areas.....farmers will tell you that their engines become "addicted" to starting fluids......this is partly true because other maintenance items tend to be ignored.....

I would personally only use starting fluids in an emergency....like if the barn is on fire....or if the water is rising and I need to move a vehicle NOW....

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

use WD-40 instead of ether if your going to.. and their is a proper way of doing it.

I replaced my glow plugs 3 weeks ago, and I've tested the relays and all is good. I had this same issue a week ago and the garage I took it to "added oil to the combustion chamber" for $300! It worked very well for a week now I'm very far from home, about 800miles, and am having the sme issues. I'm pretty familiar with the car, swapped out the motor my self and do all routeen maintenance, so I don't think I should have to pay $300 again ot get it started! I can try the wd-40 thing, but I feel oil in the combustion chamber is mor likely what is really needed. it's sittin almost 2 quarts low right now, should I just top it up, or add some in another fashon? has anyone ever added oil to their combustion chamber before?

Yes, top it off before running it. Are the valves in proper adjustment?

You usually only do the oil trick after you do a compression test, if you find one or two cylinders to be low. This tests for the condition on the rings. If the compression rises, then rings are usually suspect. If no change from the low reading, valves, head gasket, or cracks in the head or cylinder can be the culprit.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

The valves were adjusted 3 weeks go as well. I'm pretty sure the rings are the issue. grrr. I need 'er to start - today!

You won't know if rings are suspect until you do a compression test.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D

You won't know if the rings are suspect until you do a leak down test .

3 Seconds of aerosol was specified.. that is not going to wash any fluid down because he is injecting VAPOR into the INTAKE spout... so it is also going through the air filter before going to the combustion chamber..

Farmers are simple people. They say that because they don't understand that it was only when the other factors like compression were getting marginal they had to START using starting fluid... and baring fixing the rings and valves correcting that situation they have to KEEP USING IT... thus the impression that their engines got ADDICTED...

Adding oil to the combustion chambers to get it started seems like a somewhat goofy thing to do in my opinion. It makes no sense that adding oil to the combustion chamber could have a 3 wk effect on the car. I think someone's giving you a $300 line of BS.
Before I added oil to the combustion chambers, I'd simply put a tow strap on it and tow it far enough to start it. If it turns over long enough, the cylinders should heat up enough to fire off a cylinder with poor compression. Alternatively, I'd also use a squirt of ether.

In any case, I'd definitely add oil to bring it up near to the full mark.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

"My name is John Deere and I'm addicted to ether"
"Call Massey Fergusson the next time you're tempted to take a shot of WD-40"

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

It's running! I toped off the oil and gave 'er a shot of wd-40. thanks for all you help. The next thing I'll likely be looking for is a 617 motor w/ an SLS pump on it that has good compresion, heh.
Thanks again for the pointers,
Roger

Towing is extremely dangerous most of the time... concentrate on warming the engine block, getting the most speed out of the starter, and having something which will ignite at the cold temperatures.. like Starting Fluid in an aerosol can.
And be sure to let your glow plugs glow for one minute.. don't turn them on and off.. just leave them on while you time them.. this is straight from the FSM...