a few questions

[retro80sdude]

hey guys i'm new. i have a 1982 240d. i just spent about a million dollars in the shop on it, but some things still are wrong. first, it idles really rough and when i start it, if i don't give it gass immediately, it turns off. it also turns off sometimes when i stop. I thought it was a block heater issue, but i don't think they came on these models. It is possible that the last owner just never got one because he lived in texas, but it's pretty hot right now. any advice? thanks

[d.delano]

What did you have done? Your problem could be a million different things.
Post what you had done to it in the shop and what kind of shop it was. I only go to MB specialists when I absolutely have to. These cars aren't very well serviced by regular mechanics for obvious reasons.

[retro80sdude]

i fixed:
leaking brakes
leaking transmission
all of the filters
allignment
stearing cable
some intake stuff

i know i need to replace the starter somewhere down the line. it was serviced at a mercedes specialist called auto haus if you've ever heard of it.

[t walgamuth]

the first thing about starting sounded like glow plugs but after it is warm that should not recurr. so how much have you driven it? enough to be sure the fuel is good? did you change both fuel filters? also did you use fuel conditioner and algaecide?

why do you think the starter is going bad?

[retro80sdude]

i know the starter is going bad because when i turn the key i get a zzzzzzzzzzzzz sound and the engine doesn't turn. but this only happens whent he engine is cold, so maybe it is a combination of the starter and the glow plugs

[retro80sdude]

the problem isn't to start the car; i can do that with a little effort. the real issue at hand is that the car turns back off. i don't know if it stalls or what. it only does it when it's cold, but even after i pull out and get to the first stop sign it turns off when i stop.

[leathermang]

Perhaps your idle is set too low ?
Have you measured it ?

[retro80sdude]

i'm not sure how to do that.

[retro80sdude]

because my car doesn't have a tachometer

[83mercedes]

What do you mean your car doesn't have a tach?

Your vehicle should have an idle speed adjusting knob to the left of where the steering coloumn passes through the dash. I don't think this is for use in warm weather, really, but I suppose you could try cranking it up some and see if your engine still cuts out.

Have a reputable MB shop check the compression on your engine.

It's possible your engine is just getting really bad compression and this is the reason it cuts out at idle.

[83mercedes]

Is your temp gauge reading in the 80C to 100C range after 5-10 minutes of driving?
Your engine may also be running too cold because of a bad thermostat. When I first got my 300cdt form my dad, the thermostat was corroded so much that it stayed open all the time.

[retro80sdude]

my model and year doesn't have a tach on the dash. the temp is good also. i think i know what know you're talking about, but i don't know which way to turn it. if i have the car running at idle and turn the knob, will i hear the speed change?

[83mercedes]

Counterclockwise increases idle speed, clockwise decreases.

I'm not sure over what range it adjusts the idle speed, but is seems that it should be a perceptible difference.

[retro80sdude]

it runs a million times better now. thanks!!!

[mikemover]

Originally Posted by 83mercedes

What do you mean your car doesn't have a tach?

Most 240Ds didn't come with tachometers.

Mike