I just bought a 1995 E300D to replace my 1982 300CD that was totalled a few weeks ago. I am only really familiar with the OM617 motors, so this is a bit of a new experience for me. Naturally, I have a few questions.

I used to benchmark the state of tune on my 123 chassis cars by doing a couple of 0-60 runs. Something in the 12 second range usually indicated that the car was making appropriate power. What is the expected 0-60 time on the E300D? I have to assume that since it makes similar power and weighs almost the same as my 300CD, it should be similar.

This brings me to my second question. I picked up the car from NC and drove it back to MA, a little over 800 miles. The car drove GREAT but seems to be down a little on power. I will time it at lunch, but it seems to be in the 15 second range for 0-60. It is smooth as heck, and got over 30 MPG doing about 85 MPH for a full tank. It has also been completely dealer maintained, with recent fuel and air filters installed. I have read that on these motors the LOOOOOOOOOOOONG intake can get clogged with soot from the EGR, which can effect performance. Should I pull the intake and give it a good cleaning? The car has 162,000 miles on it and I'm sure it's never been done.

Next question, also related: Is there a Diesel Purge procedure similar to the OM617 motors, where I can run some directly into the motor instead of pouring it into the tank? The intake seems to block easy access to the IP and associated plumbing.

Are there other items that could also affect performance adversely that I should know about? Are there any "sensitive" parts on this motor (read: $$$) that I should be aware of and address? Any recomendations from someone in the know would be most appreciated. I am planning on switching to Mobil 1 Truck & SUV (5W-40) or 0-40 (depending on availability) at my next oil change. This is what I ran in my 300CD and I see no reason why it won't work in this car.

Thanks in advance.

__________________
J.B. Hebert

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Current Vehicles:
'76 Ford Bronco
'78 Volvo 262C Bertone V8
'80 Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe (For Sale)
'94 Ford Explorer
'95 Mercedes E300D Sportline+

Hi JB,
Good choice of car - ok I'm biased since I have a '95 E300D also. I would guess you should do better than 15 sec for 0-60. I never timed mine, but it feels faster than that. I think I have a road test report at home, but I wanna say it should do 10 - 11 sec. From a standing start if you floor it it should rev to at least 5000 rpm in 1st and 2nd when shifting, leaving it in auto.

You can pull the long intake runner and check for clogging, but mine was not bad at 155K. Did not have to clean it. I don't think there is anything too finicky about the 606 versus older engines - at least it has hydraulic lash adjusters so you don't have to set clearances. Someone on the board has one with over 300K on it. Chain failure would be the biggest catastrophe, but the consensus I've read on the board is that if it has had regular oil changes, it's probably fine. A mechanic can check the stretch.

On the purge, yeah, what you said. Someone on the board has done a purge on a 606 turbo, but by the description it was more than what I wanted to tackle myself. I ended up just running my fuel tank down to the reserve light, which, for my car, means about 3-4 gallons left, putting 2 cans of purge into the fuel, and driving it right down to fumes. Didn't notice any difference, honestly, after doing that.

Good luck with your car.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D 173K

Thanks for the reply. The car seems to be shifting nice and firm at 5000 RPM in each gear, so the tranny seems fine. Your time estimate of 10-11 seconds would be more along the lines of what I was expecting.

I'll probably dump the purge in the tank as you say. Might help a little, might not. I'll have to check to see when the last time the IP timing was set. I'm sure it's critical to economy and performance on ANY diesel, not just the 606.

Thanks again.

__________________
J.B. Hebert

--------------------------
Current Vehicles:
'76 Ford Bronco
'78 Volvo 262C Bertone V8
'80 Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe (For Sale)
'94 Ford Explorer
'95 Mercedes E300D Sportline+

Mine has 243K on it now. Being non turbo it is a little slow. I had vacuum pump failure at about 180K and it ruined the gear on the injection pump, not only costly but not an easy job. I took the intake off at the same time and down in the head was a lotttt of soot. At 240K I replaced the lift pump, I had been fighting bubbles in the filter lines for about 2 years. It does burn any oil and its changed every 10K with 15-40 Mobil 1. Just did Buffalo and back from Mass. at 72mph with the cruise and it averaged 32.2 over the 900 miles.

__________________
Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

Thanks for the info. I will certainly check into the vacuum pump, since my car has 162,000 miles on it currently.

__________________
J.B. Hebert

--------------------------
Current Vehicles:
'76 Ford Bronco
'78 Volvo 262C Bertone V8
'80 Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe (For Sale)
'94 Ford Explorer
'95 Mercedes E300D Sportline+