Mercedes Benz Diesel only...

Where do you buy fuel (brand only)?

What do you use in your cooling system = antifreeze, additives, cleaner, neutralizer, etc.

What oils (brand only) = all, engine, transmission, differential, sunroof slide, antenna and general hinge lube.

What Additives = any/all used.

What horror stories related to any of these???

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ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

For the 1982 300D

I buy my fuel from reputable brands with a high turnover rate of diesel, which means truck stops, that meaning the truck stops that have the lowest price and are within a 15 mile drive from my house.

I use MB Coolant, with a bottle of RedLine Water Wetter.

Motor Oil for now is Mobil 1 15W-50, but I'm changing over to Mobil 1 5W-40 at the next oil change, transmission oil is unknown, it needs a change soon, it'll most likely be Mobil 1 ATF, differential oil is some sort of 75W-90 oil the indy put in there a few thousand miles ago, and I don't know what sunroof paste the previous owner used, but it operates so well, that I'm guessing it's MB paste. My antenna is manual, but still gets cleaned and lubricated with some silicone spray on a shop towel, NOT WD-40. Hinges are lubed with regular old hinge oil in a small bottle from Wal-Mart, all hood and trunk and door catches are lubricated with White Lithium Grease as well as the throttle linkages.

As for fuel additives, I used to use RedLine Diesel Fuel Catalyst all the time until about 3 months ago. I found out I didn't need to use it because MB really doesn't advocate fuel additive use, so I stopped. Now, I'm doing a little experiment. I've run 12 tankfuls of fuel w/o additives. On the next 12 tankfuls, I will add 4 oz. of Diesel Kleen to the fuel at each fill up, and after the 12 tankfuls of additives, I will run 12 more tankfuls w/o the additives, and compare my fuel mileage before using the additives, during additive use, and after additive use to see if I really do get better fuel mileage with additives.

-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

For the SDL
Fuel: usually the Citgo truckstop down the street. Their fuel is the cheapest around and the turnover is extremly high.

Cooling system: MB coolant
Engine, trans, diff: Delvac 1 5w-40, Mobil 1 ATF, Mobil 1 75W-90
Sunroof: MB grease
Brake fluid: ATE stuff sold on Fastlane
Power Steering fluid: MB
Any other grease for wheel bearings or doors is Mobil 1 as well.
Antenna: McLube, works like a charm and doesn't atrack dirt.
The only additive is Power Service winter or summer formula depending on season. 4-6 points cetane boost the car seems to like it. Biobor once in awhile as well, just in case.

For the SD
Same fuel stop as above
Cooling system: Green somthing or other in their now, I am not going to change it.
Engine, trans, diff: Delo 15w-40, not changing, not changing.
Sunroof:nothing, it works when it breaks it breaks.
Brake fluid: Dot 4 that Autozone sells
I never greased anything else.
Antenna: when it breaks I'll jam it in up position
Power service in winter to keep fuel from gelling.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Mercedes Benz Diesel only...

Where do you buy fuel (brand only)? SushiYama...and Shell when nec. not Hess

What do you use in your cooling system = antifreeze, additives, cleaner, neutralizer, etc. Soon will be G-05 with NapaKool additive

What oils (brand only) = all, engine, transmission, differential, sunroof slide, antenna and general hinge lube. MB sunroof grease only...Diff Napa High Performance 85W-90W-95; engine Rotella

What Additives = any/all used. PS cetane boost; acetone & Startron diesel additive ALWAYS and Forever...

What horror stories related to any of these??? The diff grease stinks!

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."