Did a search - no luck on this question.

What is the proper starting procedure when starting a older (1980s) Mercedes diesel as far as the accelerator goes? I know that you have to let the glow plug indicator lamp on the dash board go out before you crank it, but what about the accelerator? They lady I bought my 190D from said you are supposed to depress the pedal down 1/2 way when cranking, but I was assuming since it was fuel injected that it would be like a gasoline engine car and you did not have to touch the pedal at all. Also, my glow plug light goes out after about 4-5 seconds when its in the 80s outside... is that normal? I am assuming that colder temperatures require longer intervals? My car starts very quickly though if I start it as soon as the light goes out, but wow, she likes to smoke until she warms up. Maybe its a diesel thing?

I did not see anything in the owners manual about it, unless I overlooked it. Please bear with me... this is my first running diesel car I have ever owned and still learning. My last Mercedes diesel (74' 240D) was a pile of crap and never really did anything with it. Thanks for any insight.

Don't touch it unless its below freezing, then press it half way.

Thanks. I will remember that tomorrow if I drive it.

After it starts, should I rev it up a little until it clears out?

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)

Nope. If its running rough after starting then you have glowplug or injector issue(s) that need to be diagnosed.

Thanks... well its not really rough, it just idles kinda low for about 30 seconds if I do not depress the pedal.

Would not hurt to add some injector cleaner for diesels to a full tank of fuel. The smoke and roughness could be uneven spraying injector nozzels. Any large truck stop will have it. If the temperature gauge is within the normal range upon restart, just turn the key like any other car and start it. No need to warm an already warm cylinder.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

Thanks. Well as stated in another thread, I have a loping idle when the engine is warm, only when its in park. When in gear and idling, it goes away. The car has been setting awhile. It would be neat if that was the problem with both of these issues!

Crank it after the GP light goes off, you should almost never have to touch the pedal. The 603 has ELS that keeps the idle constant, I think yours does as well.

Electronic idle control is sweet!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yes, after the yellow FP light goes off, it starts almost instantly when cranking... but if you do not give it some acceleration after it starts, the idle stays low and it stumbles... maybe its normal for those car.

Nope thats not normal, should light right off like your Lexus. Especially this time of year.

First get a FSM, than dive into it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

FSM? Shop manual? There is one with it, so I guess I will have to read up...

If not, sell it to my uncle that wants it badly. (Then buy a Toyota )

I cannot believe the MB tech that checked this car out 5 months ago did not do anything about this. He said it just needed to be driven. It had set another 5 months since he said that though.

Hopefully its just a clogged injector. Just does not make since why it is fine on the road though- while driving.

When I test drove this car, it was not doing it much at all. Seems like it got worse the past couple of times I have driven it. I was assuming all was normal at first, since this was my first diesel, but now I am learning different of course.

I think your worrying about it to much. When I cold start mine after sitting for a day or two it tends to stumble once or twice at random within the first 10 seconds. Im almost certain its air leaking into the fuel system. Dont worry about it. If it starts it starts.

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

Even if mine sits for a week, i can just go out there wait about five seconds (the glowplug light is still on) Turn key it will stumble, i just floor it for a second and it hits on all cylinders after that.

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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

From the 190D owner's manual, above freezing, do not touch the pedal. Below freezing, floor the pedal and crank. Here's part of the page:

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'98 E300 DT
'87 190D 2.5 turbo RIP
'92 S500 Sold
'03 3.2TL-S A-Spec

You really need to drive it for a bit, put 1k miles on it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200