Wise for 350K 85 300D in good mech. cond.to make X-USA trip? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Carrameow · #1 01-10-2006, 09:18 AM

I have a 350K 85 300D in relatively good shape.

The engine, transmission, brakes, cooling and electrical systems are up to snuff as well as the shocks, struts and tire rods and ball joints.

I need to get to the Midwest from the East Coast and back and use the car for about 5 weeks there for work. If you were making such a trip, what would you be most concerned about? Obviously I i will be bringing tools, a jack, spare alternator and PS pump, fluids, etc, but what systems should I be worrying about?

Brian Carlton · #2 01-10-2006, 09:25 AM

I everything is up to snuff, I wouldn't be worried about anything. If you are worrying about whether a vehicle will make it, then you shouldn't be driving it.

My only question is whether you can start it if the temp drops down to 10°F. or so. You never know what weather you are going to encounter and the block heater is usually not in the program on a road trip.........although I've strung 100' of wire out the hotel window before.

rg2098 · #3 01-10-2006, 11:13 AM

Personally, mine I would not hestitate to drive to Europe (still looking for a land route

). The only thing I would take is fuel filters in case I get a bad batch somewhere along the line and plugs them. If you feel confident that it will make it, then by all means take the car. Remember highway miles are easier on a vehicle then city miles.

TheDon · #4 01-10-2006, 11:16 AM

cant belive you didnt list fuel filters and maybe an oil filter just to be safe air filter too..

rs899 · #5 01-10-2006, 11:30 AM

I would also bring along a full set of belts and hoses and a water pump. Maybe it's overkill, but if you expect to keep the car or get another W123 you will eventually need them anyway.

I brought all that stuff on my short trip to Miami a few weeks ago in my W116. I didn't need any of it, but I almost did. I had forgotten to tighten the alternator lower bolt and it chewed up the belts pretty badly. I didn't notice it until we returned but we could have been stuck on the road in a strange place and lost a lot of time. I know you have the ability to do any of this stuff- just depends on your sense of adventure and tolerance for delay disruption and expen$e.

Hatterasguy · #6 01-10-2006, 01:35 PM

I'd drive the SDL anywhere. I never carry anything on trips but maybe on one that long I'd throw in a few wrench's and a couple of fuel filters.

I never understood the carrying the entire tool box plus enough spares to rebuild the car. This is the USA, car parts stores and MB dealers are everywhere.

rs899 · #7 01-10-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

I never understood the carrying the entire tool box plus enough spares to rebuild the car. This is the USA, car parts stores and MB dealers are everywhere.

Well, maybe in your neck of the woods things are different. But just on the trip I took down in South Florida I couldn't help thinking what would happen if I needed a part. We were driving from West Palm across the bottom of the state to Ft Myers, a trip of 2 or 3 hours. Nothing but farms and fields. Maybe one or two Autozones along the way in medium sized towns. Mercedes dealers- nada. Sure, if we broke I could get a motel in Clewiston and have a water pump flown in next day. But - we'd be stuck there burning time and money. I guess I'm just a pessimist. I'll take the on-board repair parts- or rent a car.

I have also noticed a worrying trend with Autozone and Advance Auto. I'm not sure if its just my old fleet, but seems like they are stocking less and less for them. Many more things need to be special ordered or are only available over the internet. For example, it was tough to get a rebuilt brake master cylinder and I had to order a rebuilt brake booster from Advance/Autozoo.

Carrameow · #8 01-10-2006, 02:38 PM

Everything else, we could all work around and get to the next town or next state. I dont think I am a carrying an extra trans, because I dont have one.
Seriously, if you think of it, the trans is the only thing that could make me turn back or call for a serious Tow.

rs899 · #9 01-10-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

I dont think I am a carrying an extra trans, because I dont have one.

(sooo, if you had one you would take it along? )

Yeah, I agree, the stupid slushbox is the real wild card- the joker. Only other nightmare scenario would be to have the oil cooler lines pop unnoticed and lock up your engine.

I almost opted to take the 240D stick on the long trip, but the W116 was sooo much nicer. Since I had just semi- rebuilt the tranny on the W116 I gambled.

A non-op auto tranny in the middle of Nebraska ? What would that cost when you add up all the motels and bus rides to get home?

lietuviai · #10 01-10-2006, 04:03 PM

If this is the same car you mention in your sig, the one needing a tranny rebuild, you probably shouldn't. You might be safer using the Volvo or the Saab.

whunter · #11 01-10-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrameow

I have a 350K 85 300D in relatively good shape.

The engine, transmission, brakes, cooling and electrical systems are up to snuff as well as the shocks, struts and tire rods and ball joints.

I need to get to the Midwest from the East Coast and back and use the car for about 5 weeks there for work. If you were making such a trip, what would you be most concerned about? Obviously I i will be bringing tools, a jack, spare alternator and PS pump, fluids, etc, but what systems should I be worrying about?

Replace all original hoses, belts and wiper blades, before the trip.

Take spare filters, a roll of duct tape, GP relay fuse, injector bypass hose, spare fuses, voltage regulator, and two gallons of premixed antifreeze.
Check your tool kit, jack and spare tire.

#12 01-10-2006, 05:45 PM

And don't carry a water pump, power stering pump, or anything else of that sort...

Carry the fluids...the filters...and some rubber...

I'd just check the oil cooler hoses, tranny cooler hoses, rad hoses and just drive.

If the tranny fails...how would it fail? Completely? Doubtful. B2 piston? So you have a weak/no 1st/2nd gear...you can still make it home. Slipping gears? Its gonna get worse but its unlikely it would leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere...

Remember most of this stuff doesn't fail on the highway..it fails around town when the load is varying and the engine is running hotter (less radiator air flow).

You can easily go overboard but if you are going cross country...the less weight in the car the better.

Throw in some tools but don't put in everything...remember you can do a lot with a car that doesn't require electricity to drive down the road.

Oh and check your tires/spare condition. If the spare is a steel wheel and you have alloys on there..make sure you have the PROPER lug bolts...the steel wheel takes shorter ones than is on the allloy wheels

mbzkid · #13 01-10-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Replace all original hoses, belts and wiper blades, before the trip.

Take spare filters, a roll of duct tape, GP relay fuse, injector bypass hose, spare fuses, voltage regulator, and two gallons of premixed antifreeze.
Check your tool kit, jack and spare tire.

What's an injector bypass hose, the cloth injector return lines? Can the duct tape be used to repair coolant hoses? Any other good uses, besides being creative?

I say go for it, but I'm young and still have a passion for driving. Leave the alternator home and take the voltage regulator with you. If the alternator fails you can't drive in the rain or at night. No problem, just don't shut it off.

Check the brakes, driveshaft (rubber flex disks), lights and fluids. Be sure the spare tire is inflated. Bring enough oil (dont forget to change it too) and fuel conditioner incase you have to get fuel at "that gas station."

If you've had the car for any amount of time, you probably know what needs attention.

I really wish I could make X country trips too! I like the idea of knowing that you won't be stopping or changing roads for awhile.