Thinking of buying a 1993 300D for WVO
 

This is my first posting - not a MB owner (yet). I've been following this site for a few months now, and stand impressed by the quality and amount of info.

I'm looking to replace our gasser with a biodiesel / WVO MB - I've pretty well thrown in the towel on finding a good, reasonably priced 300DT wagon, so we're looking at sedans.

I just found an ad for a 1993 300D with 187K miles. I don't know anything about these engines, as we've been looking mostly at 1981 - 1987 models up until now. Does anyone know whether 1) it's a reliable engine or 2) it'll run well on biodiesel or WVO? They're asking $5,200 obo.

Thanks for any help you can give a novice like me!

1997 Toyota 4runner
2002 Diamondback Response 24-speed

I have one. Love the car, a '91 300D 2.5 Turbo. Do a search on 602 engines and w124 chassis. MB made the 2.5T, a somewhat rare car, from 91 to 93. Has many modern amenities, inc. a driver's airbag.

Sorry, can't help you with WVO. Maybe someone else can chime in.

One of the reasons many people in the WVO community like the 240-300D's in the early 80's is the 617 engine. Its a large hunk of iron.

The 602 engines have alluminum heads. I'm not saying thats a bad thing necessarily. But the 617 is almost indestructable.

Also with the earlier cars you don't have to worry as much with the computers and electronics.

I bought that one!
 

Andyofga,
I bought that one! I'm thinking of the same thing! I got it for 5,000 even. I was just searching when i found your post.

Another reason some wvo converters like the older 240s' and 300s is that they feel the indirect injection systems(found on the older MBs) lend themselves to a more trouble free system then with the TDI systems as in the newer VWs. ON the older MBs you certainly have much more working space in the engine compartment and a large trunk to hold a reaonably large second fuel tank that will be needed.Also another nice feature on the older MBs is that you won't have to worry about goofing up the all electronic controlled systems as in the newer VWs--seems these electronic systems are just looking for a reason to throw codes--for whatever reason!!! Have you checked out greasel.com or greasecar.com?? Lots of good info on WVO systems there.
:sun_smile

I run my 87 SDL on up to 50% food grade soybean cooking oil and I don't notice a difference in anything but the smell of the exhaust. The OM602 engine in a 93 300D 2.5 is basically the same engine as in my car with one fewer cylinder, some electronics to govern turbo boost and a circuit to keep the glow plugs lit a while longer after the engine catches. There's no reason to think it will react adversely to properly prepared WVO.

To clarify miamimike's point, the OM602 is not a direct injection engine and there are minimal electronics that influence the injection system. I know my engine will run if you disconnect all the wires from the IP and I'm pretty sure a 93 300D 2.5 will behave the same way except that turbo boost might be blocked from the intake manifold if the electronics are kept out of the loop.

The earlier W123 series layout may lend it self to easier fitment of the heaters and pumps and stuff you need for a full WVO set-up.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

greasel or grease car
 

I have been to both sites but neither one specifically states the 602. Does anybody here have either system installed and working in theirs? Sixto do you have a mod or just add to regular tank? :confused:

I pour it into the main fuel tank up to a 50/50 mix with pump Diesel. I've left some outside in a plastic bottle and it was still liquid as cold as it gets around here so I think I can run it straight. I'm still unsure as to whether the additives in pump Diesel are something my newly rebuilt IP will do without.

Soybean cooking oil costs $13 for a 4.6 gallon jug at Costco so it's not a long-term thing unless I can find it for a lot less (maybe in 55 gal drums?). It started as a test to be sure I can run WVO when I get myself set-up to filter restaurant oil. Now it's more of an if than a when. I think of it these days as a winter addtive since the SDL is a lazy cold weather starter. It puts out a cloud of unburned fuel for a while so I do the neighbors the favor of making it smell more like a Chinese restaurant than a railroad yard :)

I have no intention of investing the time and effort into separate tanks and switching valves and heaters and whatnot.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

one tank conversion kit
 

I've just bought a 93' 300d 2.5 turbo and am running it on 50% WVO and 50% diesel. There is a kit that requires no extra tank for running 100% svo or wvo. It keeps the relay on the glow plugs on longer, comes with special injector nozzles for spraying the veg oil, a preheater and some other stuff. Basically it's hassle free after installation. The company is Elsbett out of Germany and it costs 1050.00.

The best you can get as well. Dont forget to mention the warranty. Although the warranty only covers new uncooked rapeseed/canola oil, properly de-watered and filtered wvo will be just fine and trouble free as new uncooked oil.

I have a '92 300D that I have been running on a single tank conversion for a year now . As long as my oil is clean it runs great and is more powerful and comfortable than the '80's diesels. Go for it !

A single tank "conversion" is a poor choice in ANY climate for any amount of time.

Converting the oil to actual Biodiesel is the best option, installing a two-tank system is the second best. A single tank "conversion" and blending should never be considered.

I would be more concerned with shortened engine life. Hate to be the nay-sayer here, but the mechanics I know who repair MB diesel engines (616, 617, 60x) for a living report ring damage after long term VO use, and I know of one shop that refuses to touch any injection pump that has been subjected to VO. They will not rebuild and won't accept it as a core, according to them the damage is too severe to be economically repaired. Careful reading of the Journey to Forever website will show that one of the major problems with VO is the iodine value and the acidity level. I would make VO into biodiesel and burn that in my car, but I won't use VO except in an emergency....

[Shields up Mr Sulu! I need full power NOW, Scotty!]

facet fuel pump
 

I'm considering installing a 12 volt facet posi-flo fuel pump at he fuel tank past the strainer to push WVO(higher viscosity) to the fuel filters to supply the indirect pump before injection to injectors. Will a 4-7 psi pump do the job to help the secondary pump keep up the correct pressure for WVO? please advise. Thanks

More pressure to the pump would help but it's still going to mask the degradation of the pump, injectors, and engine if you're running WVO.