That Diesel sound - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dieseldiehard · #1 01-04-2005, 05:09 PM

Sad to report (as has been done in the long thread on the subject of "what crap did they put in oil filters") Baldwin filters for the OM603 are made in India. The one I bought for a rip-off price

was out of round and clearly marked "made in India"
I wrote an Email to Baldwin's QC but I never received any reply. To heck with that! Back to Mann or Hengst for me.

Oh yes, dmon, what is wrong with your SDL's acceleration? If it isn't just a nice little race car in drag, there is something wrong with it. I hope it doesn't still have the trap oxidizer in place! Search the subject 603 or OM603 and you'll find plenty off words on what to look for that might need attention, but when it's all OK your SDL should run just fine, and you will learn to love the littel chortling noise it makes at idle.
As for noise at running speed, they do make a little noise in my book, maybe wrappipng the exhaust line would reduce that a little also maybe your hood pad needs replacement? I hope that the under body covers are still there they help reduce noise too.

willrev · #2 01-04-2005, 07:30 PM

If you want to quiet the engine, try running some diesel purge through. I just ran two cans of Lubro Moly through mine as directed by an earlier post and that stuff has such high cetane level (similar to octane in gas fuel) that you could barely hear the engine running while it was purging. Of course this is just to clean the injectors, not to run on everyday. But after re- connecting the fuel lines, my 300sd ran much more quietly. It seems the cetane level, which can be boosted by fuel additives like Red Line diesel fuel conditioner really make a difference. (Red Line brand - "Power 85" or "Diesel Catalyst" both by Red Line are the same product under different names) I can buy it at autozone locally. The Mercedes dealer in Wilmington NC reccomends Red Line products.

By the way, I would not use Wix filters. I would only use original German Hengst or Mann filters. Bosch filters are not what they used to be either. There have been some posts on American filters and they are junk compared to the Mann and Hengst.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=100504&highlight=names+car

#3 01-04-2005, 07:39 PM

LubroMoly Diesel Purge will quiet it down if it's nailing. A worn timing chain will cause it to smoke.

Nothing sounds better than a 603 at 4000 RPM.

dmon, how many miles are on your car?

Hatterasguy · #4 01-04-2005, 09:20 PM

Smooooth nailed it, the bushing on the belt shock goes bad so often on these cars. It is a $30 part and will make a heck of a lot of expensive sounding noise when the bushing gets tired.

Actually I find my SDL to be a very quite car, around town with the windows up and the climate control working the engine noise should be very low. My SDL is quiter inside then late model Honda's and Camry's. Also at idle the under body panals make a big difference, mine will be going back on once my trans leak is fixed.

A proper SDL should be quite and "fast". They are not a race car but will move right along. The 603 should rev to just shy of 5k no problem and pull strong all the way their. Usually when I get on the highway I pull away from other cars going up the ramp.

#5 01-04-2005, 07:35 PM

If you can't stand the noise, and it is not noticeably greater than any other similar diesel mercedes, you might reconsider owning a diesel

Personally the more "happy" engine noise my car makes the happier it makes me..
The more "good" smoke it makes, the better..

I guess we here on the forum just aren't used to people who aren't so head over heals in love with their diesel mercedes that they overlook what 'most' people consider annoying automobile traits

Oh well...I still like the diesel...

JimmyL · #6 01-04-2005, 08:04 PM

Man I miss hearing that klackity klackity klackity....
I wouldn't mind if it sounded like a Cummins.