Mercedes: poor starting 300td, temperature valve, valve adjustment

Question
Thanks for your help with my electrical problems!  now that it's cold our 83 300TD takes many tries before starting.  my wife said it did this last year when the temp dropped.  i pulled the #1 glow plug which looks almost new and heats up appropriately when the glow plug light comes on.  when the ignition is turned on the glow plug light comes on inconsistently but even if you turn the ignition til it comes on and wait to engage the starter, you still need to do this a dozen times before the car will start.  once the car has been running and is warm it starts fine.
  also the heater usually blows cold air, occasionally it will blow hot air?
thanks for any help
jwd

Answer
Data needed:
How old is the battery?
Is the air filter clean, and less than fourteen months old?
When was your last valve adjustment? needed every year or 15000 miles.
Are all rubber fuel hoses less than five years old? replace with new, in cold they contract opening cracks for air to enter the fuel system.
When where the fuel filters last changed? note: mine are changed every year, as cheap insurance.
Miles on the car.
Geographic location = nearest major city.

Answer #1:
* Valve adjustment needed? you can lose compression due to this.
* Bad glow plugs?
* Cracked/aged fuel hoses letting air into the fuel system at low temperature.
* Bad battery?
* Bad ground cable from the transmission bell housing to body?
* Bad/weak starter?
* Engine oil too heavy for the temperature?


Valve adjustment OM617 FYI.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=107729

Cold weather starting links
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1018529

Battery Safety
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1057827

Battery selection / Charging System / jump starting / cold weather battery issues
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1058189

Glow plugs link thread         
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1019018

Starter health is important to your diesel!!!
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=739798

Gear reduction starter for W126 diesel?
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=148100

Tackling a starter, need suggestions (and sympathy)
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1001659

MB diesel filtration, how it works.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1055075

fuel filter change
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=824006

Diesel filters, no tank strainers please.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1046422&posted=1

I'm baffled and at wit's end!?!?!?!?!
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=138961

Algae/Fungus fixation...
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=138733

Braided fuel lines weep. 1984 300TD turbo
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=158107

240D fuel tank removal and cleaning
Good for any W123 sedan.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=813925

Check out this fuel pickup screen
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=140961

300SD Fuel Filter Replacement Instructions
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=105344

Biobor, what is it, why do I need it???
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=723857

Filters, Fungus, Biocide, etc.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=823378

Algae Clogged Filter Pic StarTron WORKS !
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=138728


Answer #2:
Your heat issue:

blower fuse started a fire in my engine compartment!
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=120230

Fixing that Damn Climate Control!
http://boostnbenz.1baddsm.com/DIY/Climate/

CCU Bulbs
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1345856

DIY page. Introduction to Resoldering Climate Control Unit
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=567735

Mono valve Problems
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1026761

Mercedes-Benz A/C Control Diagnostics
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/AcDiags

1984 300SD Climate control gremlins
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=149181

Aux. Water Pump takes out CCU
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=140870

Fixed Auxiliary Water Pump!!
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=170839

cold feet!
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=139967

W123 blower motor brushes -- any interest?
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=629014

Automatic Climate Control – Sign of Fatique?
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=496086

Antifreeze, Ethylene glycol intoxication, Toxicity, Metabolic Acidosis
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1037466

300SD Heating Problem, HELP (I'm Cold)
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=138727

blower fan
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=133972

No blower...no heat...no idea how to fix.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=604192

DIY lock diaphragms and heater vent diaphragm R&R
http://www.autoluxmbz.com/unidi.html



Every diesel owner should know the following data.

Run away diesel, why does it happen?
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=824840