Hello supermoose
Well, let me revise the list.

The quick cheap list to improve your car.
#1. Italian tune up, get your parents to do this, you can't afford the ticket.
#2. Run a can of diesel purge through the engine.
#3. Buy a mightyvac and check your vacuum hoses for leaks, repair all transmission or engine related leaks and repair or plug other system leaks.
#4. Hang out at mercedesshop.com and diesel repair shops.
#5. Check tire pressure, not less than every 30 days.
#6. Replace fuel and air filters.
#7. Clean the inside of intake with a shop towel soaked in throttle cleaner, don't start the engine again until the next day.
#8. Jack up and support the car with stands, check each wheel for wobble = bad bearings, and brake drag, ask your parent or friends to help you check.

Can you post a picture of engine compartment, good indication of vehicle condition.

You might look into Bar-B-Que gas aka: propane injection. On another diesel board this has been used to jack up the horsepower a little. Before you add it I would STRONGLY recommend having an EGT gauge to keep from cooking your pistons. There are some "systems" out there or you can homebrew your own. It might help out a little.

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FAA Certified A&P Tech
Still lookin' for my diesel! <><

I'm curious. Why would fixing vacuum leaks increase power in a mercedes diesel?

Wrong shift points.....

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

my wife drives 'zippy' a 1986 190D non-turbo 2.5 auto

that thing will squeal rear tires from a stop, we live at 7000 ft altitude. Runs like a champ and gets in the high 30's for mileage.
Oh, BTW- has 234 kmi on it. valves clatter at startup and idle, but thats been going on for 50 kmi and 4 yrs

have fun

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1982 300SD (214 k, excellent shape) kidmobile running mostly biodiesel, gets 31 mpg hwy with 2.82 rear from a euro 500SEL



1976 115 body 240D 4-speed (traded for Jeep parts) - Engine lives on in my CJ7

When was the last Valve adjustment?
If the valve lash is too tight, you will have power loss.

Non-adjustable valves on this engine. It is the later 602 series
These are known to have lifter noise, synthetic oil quiets it somewhat, but still there at idle.
Given that it consumes NO oil between changes and runs like a champ I am reluctant to tear into it

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1982 300SD (214 k, excellent shape) kidmobile running mostly biodiesel, gets 31 mpg hwy with 2.82 rear from a euro 500SEL



1976 115 body 240D 4-speed (traded for Jeep parts) - Engine lives on in my CJ7