This past weekend I fixed Rudolf's problem shutting down by replacing the shut off valve on the IP and removed his ALDA (part of the SOV R&R process)
I then took him on his first big trip to NY and back to WV.
We averaged 74mph according to my GPS and got a little over 28mpg! Not bad for a BIG heavy car from 1986 with 290K on the odometer!
We ran up to NY Saturday night, did some locval driving and ran back to WV on Sunday evening with a trunk full of belongings and 10 gallons of relatively cheap NJ diesel ($4.23) as opposed to $4.40 in WV
I am amazed at the difference between this car and the 1981 300SD. The SDL is altogether a much better animal on the highway running up to and over 80mph without feeling like the car was going to explode - OM617 drivers know that feeling

at speeds over 75!
It was also more comfortable for passengers due to the bigger back seat area.
The only drawback was my daughter broke the recliner on the passenger seat! Well actually, she reclined the seat and now it will no longer go back to a fully upright and locked position. I am going to have to get into the door panel and check the switch.
Oh, and just to make you guys jealous -- the cruise control worked like a dream holding the car at 74mph for miles and miles
Now to get the AC working before the heat sets in around DC...
__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"
Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad