Diesel cluster has an economy gauge?

[pizzachef]

Saw this on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110172047462
Says its from a 300TD, it has the fuel economy gauge on it...I thought only the gas engines had those. Am I wrong?

[Ara T.]

Our diesels also don't spin up to 6500 rpm

[t walgamuth]

you are right. that is a vacuum guage which is useless on a diesel as they are unthrottled and have no vacuum except what is generated by the pump.

Tom W

[bustedbenz]

This dashboard goes with those very rare glowplugless diesels from that time period too.

[300SDog]

Yep, aint diesel cluster for sure without glowlight. And jeeze would be embarassing to have an economy guage anyhow. Kinda like sayin drive like a pussy and lug yer engine. Y'all know my attitude on this: every drive oughta be an Italian tune-up. Wind the snot outa yer diesels says me and they'll burn clean forever.

[Motorhead]

I looks like for a 380SE V8.

[Matt L]

Originally Posted by DieselDog

Kinda like sayin drive like a pussy and lug yer engine.

Lugging the engine won't generate much vacuum, so this won't be encouraged.

[300SDog]

Originally Posted by Matt L

Lugging the engine won't generate much vacuum, so this won't be encouraged.

Yeah but haint the "economy guage" callibrated in reverse to read bad economy when the engine's full throttle and suckin like truckstop hooker?

[92300SE]

Its for a 1977-81,W123,280E/CE,gas.

[lietuviai]

I sent them an email pointing out this error.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by lietuviai

I sent them an email pointing out this error.

Naturally, they'll respond with:

"Thanks for the info DJ.........it's appreciated........and we'll change the listing to reflect this new information"

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

you are right. that is a vacuum guage which is useless on a diesel as they are unthrottled and have no vacuum except what is generated by the pump.

Tom W

It would work fine in an automatic 240D/300D. All you would have to do is Tee into the black vacuum line going to the transmission.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

It would work fine in an automatic 240D/300D. All you would have to do is Tee into the black vacuum line going to the transmission.

Interesting.....should I ever have to replace that gauge pod (which I don't thankfully) I'm looking for a gasser one so I can use that gauge too.

[Matt L]

Originally Posted by DieselDog

Yeah but haint the "economy guage" callibrated in reverse to read bad economy when the engine's full throttle and suckin like truckstop hooker?

Exactly. If you're in too high of a gear, the engine won't be able to develop vacuum due to the opened throttle. The highest vacuum most gasoline engines can develop is at high-speed cruise.

[kerry]

I think a vacuum gauge would be useful given the number of vacuum problems that come up on this forum. It's probably more useful to a dieseler than to a gasser.