That Diesel sound - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dmon · #1 01-04-2005, 02:56 PM

When i 1st got my 300sdl i was worried about the sound coming from the engine. i had never owned a diesel before so i thought i had BIG problems. the Benz machanic said "IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T MAKE THAT SOUND THEN YOU SHOULD BE WORRIED". i love the performance of my car but like anything it could use some improvement.

1. is there a way to make my engine just a little more quiet?
2. what are ways to reduce that diesel smoke?
3. what can i do to improve on my acceleration?

phidauex · #2 01-04-2005, 03:26 PM

Yup, diesels do sound different from gassers. In time you'll learn to love its confident purr.

But, just to make sure that everything is running ok, you might peek around under the car while the engine is running to see if you have any exhaust leaks. If your exhaust pipes are horribly rusty, your probably do.

Also, general engine health will affect noise and smoke. When was your last valve adjustment, for instance?

You can also start using a fuel additive, like Power Service Diesel Kleen, which can quiet things down a little bit. Or use the best additive of all, a few percent biodiesel, if its available in your area. My 300TD runs much smoother and quieter (with a little less smoking) on biodiesel than it does on regular diesel.

Anyway, to some extent a little more noise and a little smoke now and again are something you'll get used to. However, there are a few things you can do to keep it under control, but good engine maintenance is probably the best, with fuel additives a close second.

peace,
sam

R Leo · #3 01-04-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmon

1. is there a way to make my engine just a little more quiet?

Yes, turn the ignition switch fully CCW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmon

2. what are ways to reduce that diesel smoke?

See above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmon

3. what can i do to improve on my acceleration?

Mash firmly on tall, rectangular pedal located on the right side of the driver's footwell.

Seriously, some B100 added to diesel will reduce smoking and for acceleration issues, search this forum for threads concerning the throttle linkage and plugged overboost lines and banjo fittings.

Good luck.

goldenbear · #4 01-04-2005, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phidauex

...Also, general engine health will affect noise and smoke. When was your last valve adjustment, for instance?

Note that the OM603 in the 300SDL has hydraulic, self-adjusting valves. No manual valve adjustements, like on the OM617, are necessary.

phidauex · #5 01-04-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Note that the OM603 in the 300SDL has hydraulic, self-adjusting valves. No manual valve adjustements, like on the OM617, are necessary.

Oh.. I knew that.

Anyway, my general advice remains the same, better maintained engines are a little quieter and make a little less smoke.

peace,
sam

dmon · #6 01-04-2005, 03:54 PM

thanks,

i guess a louder purr is not that bad. and from what i've been told "it can't get no better than a diesel engine" so as long as everything works....fine with me.

TX76513 · #7 01-04-2005, 04:00 PM

Aside from the above which are all good suggestions. If you burn WVO or VO the enigne clatter is less (dull) and less smoke (and it will smell different also)

R Leo · #8 01-04-2005, 04:01 PM

I love the way my 603 sounds idling and rompin' at 4k...the 617s are OK at idle but really stir my bones at full chat and, there's nothing, absolutely nothing quite so much worth listening to at idle than a happy 616.

klatta, klatta, klatta...

FWIW, my 300SDL drives like a gasser...I mean it really has zip. But, when I brought her home, she would barely make 45mph and there were some hills near my yurt that you couldn't climb. You should check into the threads I mentioned above and make sure your thottle linkages are all intact, that was the prob with my SDL.

dmon · #9 01-04-2005, 04:09 PM

once i had bought this product from Auto-zone called 'ENGINE QUIET". It worked well but the repair man told me not to add "things" in my engine for it may cause other problems.

my question is. if it worked should i try it again, or "NO" i may be wearing out internal parts?

Smooooth · #10 01-04-2005, 04:14 PM

Hattie showed me a little trick that really quieted down my engine - or at least I thought it was my engine...............

While at the NE GTG he reached into the engine compartment and put his hand on the Belt Tensioner Dampener(sp) and things got noticeably quieter. The bottom bushing seem to be a common point of failure. After replacement it made such a difference that even my wife noticed.

So....... Just reach right in there and grab hold.

Thank Again Hattie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stephen

R Leo · #11 01-04-2005, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmon

once i had bought this product from Auto-zone called 'ENGINE QUIET". It worked well but the repair man told me not to add "things" in my engine for it may cause other problems.

my question is. if it worked should i try it again, or "NO" i may be wearing out internal parts?

Ixnay on the engine oil additives. Put nothing but diesel-rated lube oil into the engine. Use good filters too - WIX or Baldwin only...no Purolator, Fram or Autozone crap.

dieseldiehard · #12 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 · #13 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

#14 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...