seattle240D

Of course we care if you are stranded! We are here to help each other never get stranded. And you couldn't have a better car for preventing becoming stranded.

Now, I assume you have a manual transmission based on your response that you got it rolling and used the wheels turning to turn the engine over. It should be noted that you can nearly never be stranded with that car. In fact, if you don't have to drive at night, you can drive a 240D by "pop" starting it (get it rolling down a hill and, with the key in the "run" position, drop the clutch with the transmission in second or third gear) without a functioning alternator. You need no electricity to run one of these things. Now, it helps to be able to cycle the glow plugs and the local traffic sharing the road would appreciate functioning brake lights and blinkers, so you can bring along a battery charger and charge the battery when you park. Makes "pop" starting, as my daughter calls it, easier if you have glowing glow plugs and it is always good to have blinkers and brake lights.

So, use this site to learn why the W123 240D is one of the most reliable and rugged cars ever made. They owned the taxi services in Europe and still appear in large numbers in really tough parts of the world. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)