Diesel noob just got a '74 240d - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

burndup · #1 08-27-2005, 03:02 PM

Great board you guys have here!

I'm a recently laid-off computer nerd, and I'm doing what I've often done in times of unemployment: buy a junk ol car!

I scored a good looking 240d from a UCLA sorority girl for $250! She was desparate to get it out of her sororty house garage. I had to bite my toungue to keep from saying "Delta Delta Delta, can I helpya, helpya, helpya?"

I've had plenty of internal combustion experience, have 8 motorcycles at last count, a custom chevy truck, an old VW bus, etc... But want to learn about diesels and score free fuel from neighborhood restaurants! But first to get the car going.

I'm under the impression that most of the questions I'm about to ask may be better suited for the general tech board, but I'm hoping to find someone with the same car to pepper with questions.

Anyway, the starter was toast, replaced that, and I think running gear-wise the car is in good shape, with the exception of what I'm guessing will be a bad trans mount. The brakes are my next challenge. I dont have a picture of this yet, but when I get one, I'll link to it...

On the drivers side rear disk, the braking surface got entirely "lathed" OFF of the rest of the disc. Its in two pieces now! Have never seen anything like it.

So, I'm flying blind, I have no manual, and havent been able to find one except for those cd's on ebay. The Haynes manual that came with the car is for a W123.
I've been diligent and tried searching this board for these questions, (also read for hours about WVO) but havent come up with enough to make me confidant I know enough of what I'm doing, So, I'll open the floodgates:

Any website with W115 service manual excerpts?
Best place to order book/cd from? Cost?

The big bolt in the center of the rear axle, thats how the rotor comes off?

How tight do I retorque that?

How do I get the axle shaft out to repair the inner CV boot? I tore that little bastard by not being careful enough with my jack...

Front brakes I think I can figure out, but how tight to retorque the disc-to-hub bolts? Use loctite?

Where is the fluid resevoir for the Clutch Master Cylinder? It works, but its leakin' and the ensuing puddle has dissolved the floormat in my otherwise darn nice interior. Is that shared with the brake fluid resevoir?

Thats enough for now... Fortuneately I have a really good parts place in my neighborhood that I've built a relationship with in the past with all my VW's, Volvo's and assorted japanese cars. Getting the pieces is easy enough, paying for them hurts a tad,

just knowing how not to scew them up is the hurdle.

My website is undergoing an overhaul, but I hope to have links to pics soon.

Thanks in advance!
-Jason

burndup · #2 08-28-2005, 12:13 PM

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Allrighty then, how bout some pics of the little monster:

http://burndup.kicks-ass.net/w115.html

Thanks,
Jason

vahe · #3 08-28-2005, 01:11 PM

Once you get that car mecahanically sound, you can get it worth a million dollars by replacing those sorry bumpers with parts from a 220D.

Vahe
240D77/350K

t walgamuth · #4 08-28-2005, 01:17 PM

rotor, you remove the caliper by the two large 17mm in think bolts on the backside, then the rotor is held by either nothing or two small screws. the large nut has to do with the axle. on the boot if you just tore it you may be able to patch it if you are careful. to change it is a lot of work. the leak under the steering wheel is prob from clutch slave if it is a stick. the clutch if it is manual is a separate res. the 240s are nice old cars. really rugged and simple to work on. your s will require a lot of patience because of all the deferred maintenance.

good luck

tom w

burndup · #5 08-28-2005, 01:29 PM

Thanks...

Are the 220 bumpers "meatier?" Or slimmer? I kinda like the "Combat Bumper" look...

I live in Los Angeles, one of my pet peeves are people who drive down the emergency lane after getting on the freeway and want to cut in... I like to not let them... bumpers like these are a nice visual deterrant!

The clutch master has definately blown its seal, replacement comes in Monday. Just havn't figured out where the resevoir is yet. Too hot yesterday to go outside at all, busy with family today...

I was hoping my parts place would have the universal replacement boot, the kind where you dont have to take the axle down to install, just cut the old one off, put the new one with the slit around it, and "bolt" it shut... I'll have to check at (shudder) Kragen...

I've rebuilt CV's before, but yeah, the bulk of the work looks like it lies with the removal...

How does the axle come out of the diff? Is there a snap ring on the end like how Honda does it? Just pry ity out with a BFScrewdriver?

Thanks again!
Jason

diametricalbenz · #6 08-28-2005, 01:32 PM

Dang, was this the car that was on craigslist earllier this week for $750? Did the engine really have a rebuild 15k ago?

If so....and you get bored of it wanna sell it....

I have an identical car BTW

t walgamuth · #7 08-28-2005, 01:48 PM

cyl res should be sitting on top. white plastic tank with black screw off top.
the 220 bumpers are slim like later euro bumpers. they are sweet looking but not as good for protection.

tom w

burndup · #8 08-28-2005, 01:48 PM

Yep, thats the one! Of course in talking to the girl, the car was worse off than her ad said... I had originally emailed her an offer of $400... she took it right away, after I talked to her on the phone, I thought to my self, man, what a punched-out POS, I should pass... dropped my offer to $250 thinking she'd tell me to go fly a kite, and she STILL said yes! So it then became a matter of principle.

Judging by the tennis bracelet on her wrist, I dont think she'll miss that $500...

There are service records in the trunk from 1978 to 2001, which is when the girl got ahold of it and proceeded to run it into the ground. Havent looked over them enough to verify the rebuild claim, but I'm suspicious... I just dont have enough experience with these cars to tell, but it appears to me the engine hasnt been out of the car. Either that, or someone actually qualified to do such work did it!

But it seems to run fine, (but my old volvo 240 wagon could smoke this thing in the quarter!) aside from super-slow synchros in the trans, which i hope can be mitigated by some redline MTL...

When I get bored with it and want to get rid of it, I'm hoping a 300SD works its way into the equation!

-J

diametricalbenz · #9 08-28-2005, 02:32 PM

Well, when you get it sorted out. We can drag race em..... for a.....Poquito Mas Burrito?

burndup · #10 08-28-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diametricalbenz

Well, when you get it sorted out. We can drag race em..... for a.....Poquito Mas Burrito?

Right on, you must be in the general Burbank/North Hollywood 'hood!

Anybody have advice for the cheapest way to get a service manual? I think I saw something about Chilton having one specific to this car... is it still in print?

Thanks,
Jason

iNeon · #11 08-28-2005, 03:18 PM

i only have one question...

HOW CAN ANYONE DRIVE A CAR WITH CARPETS THAT DIRTY?!?!

good buy for 250 bux, but damn, is she so busy with the frat boys and "learning" that she cant afford the time to drop it off at a detail shop and ride back in one of her sisters hondas?

i jus dont understand a dirty car!

i tried the skinnerbox site to find a w115 manual but the 114/115 link isnt active?

http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/Library.html

it might not work for you but it cant help to learn general procedures on a different chassis, eh?

the car looks decent, youll be surprised what elbow grease will do for these ole cars!

good luck with it!

burndup · #12 08-28-2005, 03:26 PM

That aint dirt, its DOT3!

iNeon · #13 08-28-2005, 03:51 PM

go to the u pull it yard, they cant charge much for a "floor mat!!

rs899 · #14 08-28-2005, 08:21 PM

Braingears has what you need:

http://mb.braingears.com/

Legal Eagle · #15 08-28-2005, 09:33 PM

One you get the car in proper working order and want to learn to make your own fuel for it then give this a try:
http://www.biodieselcommunity.org/mainpage/

and for information on converting to run straight vegie oil there are numerous posts here:
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=447609751

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