|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Wise for 350K 85 300D in good mech. cond.to make X-USA trip?
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? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
Adam Lumsden (83) 300D Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
cant belive you didnt list fuel filters and maybe an oil filter just to be safe air filter too..
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
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.
__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??) |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
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.
__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??) Last edited by rs899; 01-10-2006 at 02:01 PM. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
The only varaible beyond our control, I guess is an Auto Trans failure
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. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
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?
__________________
80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??) |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
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.
__________________
DJ 84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012 |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Trip prep is more important.
Quote:
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.
__________________
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/ |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
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. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Fuses And Light Bulbs
Also bring extra fuses of various amp, and extra light bulbs. You may already have them in your car.
|
#15
|
||||
|
||||
And swamps, alligators, water moccasins, etc.....
[QUOTE=rs899] Nothing but farms and fields.QUOTE] 350K miles - WOW. Tough cars! |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|