Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-14-2006, 03:58 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fayetteville , NC
Posts: 89
new owner of 1981 MB 240d

Since 1967, the very first time I ever saw a MB Diesel Car, I always dreamed of owning a Diesel car.

In 1985, I did purchase a new Isuzu pickup 2.2 Diesel (C223). After 500,000 miles, and still going strong, I bought a used 1981 240D. Thinking if an Isuzu could run 500,000 then a MB @ 170,000 should last a couple of years +++.

The story behind, the MB is , it was once owned by an uncle in VA. Gave it to his nephew. Nephew, blew engine. Garage replaced with an engine with 70,000 on it.

Since purchase, I have changed oil/oil filter, primary and secondary fuel filters.

Q. Is there a way drain the oil cooler?

Q. On the Isuzu fuel pump, all lubrication is done by the Diesel fuel. It looks like the 240d fuel pump, might use the engine oil some how. So, how does the inline fuel pump get lubricated?


Q. Currently, I am getting 31 MPG city/interstate driving @ 65 MPH. Is this normal?

I work from home and have to dive approx. 175 miles a day, 2 or 3 times a week. Am I asking for problems, if I use this car? My Isuzu does not have air, the 240d does have air, and it works.


There is some body rust on the bottom of all four doors, and some along seams. Had the brakes check, and had to replace pads, and calibers.

Next, I will need to buy some new tires.

I do not think the electric fan for cooling works when the air is on. Is this a problem? In addition, the speed control does not work, is this an easy fix?

Bob new owner!
Fayetteville NC

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-14-2006, 04:18 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix Arizona. Ex Durban R.S.A.
Posts: 6,104
Congratulations

I've owned my first MB Diesel now for just over a month. Also an 81, 4 speed stick with 375000 on it. I think you are probably right about the motor lasting to 500000. That's my goal with mine anyway. My cruise also doesn't work. Havent attempted it yet. My mpg's are only 29 in city driving. Averaging around 50mph. So you are doing real well there. Enjoy the car. I'm loving mine more every time I get behind the wheel.

- Peter.
__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-14-2006, 04:23 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posts: 6,510
Congratulations, sounds like you have a good example. Thirty one miles per gallon is a little above the reported average but good. The majority report less but a few do report 31-32 mpg. Yes pump uses the engine base oil to lubricate it's bottom end. You are lucky as the fan control circuit and motor are quite straightforward compared to the five cylinder cars. . Usually the brushes need changed in the fan motor seems to be the common ailment but check for fuse etc first. Drive the car in a reasonable fashion and change the oil on schedule and it could serve you for a very, very long time. As for draining the oil cooler I do not know. You might want to look in the archives for that. Especially look in the archives regarding your cruise control.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-14-2006, 04:24 PM
iNeon's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 894
1) I have no idea about the oil cooler, I have always just run the engine a bit to heat it up then used the drainplug.

2) These cars have fuel pumps? I have always understood that the pump on the engine(IP) pulled the fuel?

3) 31mpg mixed driving is impossible to attain in a 240D, at least it is on mine-- Shlomo has religiously returned 23-25mpg, nothing more, nothing less. I would *not* question the cars getting astronomical fuel economy heh heh

4) The cruise not working is a fairly simple fix(if the fix works) wherever you just reheat the solder joints in the amplifier and pray that it repairs what is wrong.

5) Welcome! You'll find anything you need to know here-- except vacuum pump interchange information
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-15-2006, 02:50 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: CA... No. of S.F.
Posts: 890
my 1980 240D have the same fan problem...

and all I had to do was take it apart, clean it up, a little oil on the bearings and because the brushes still looked good, I put it back together and it worked just fine.

I suggest you give yours, an internal cleaning and inspection, and oiling and while you have it out then bench test it by connecting it directly to the battery with some jumpers.

If the bench test proves it to be OK, then reinstall it and see if it works.

I think you will also find on your M-B that there is a temperature activated switch emersed in the engine's water jacket that also needs to trip before the fan comes on... so check into this too
.


Good luck... welcome to the "Diesel Discussion" forum.

Regards,
Sam Ross // Novato, CA
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-15-2006, 11:24 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fayetteville , NC
Posts: 89
Question thanks and now another question

tires, what size? From what I can find out, the orginial size is 175SR14. On the front I now have 185/70/r14 and on the rear 195/70/r14.

not sure what the differences are and what to ask for when I buy new tires.

Bob
81 240D
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-15-2006, 11:47 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,850
Tire Size

A shorter sidewall tends to give better handling at the expense of some ride quality, and can throw your speedo off. A taller sidewall gives better ride quality, at the expense of adding some sidewall squirm and raising the vehicle CG ever so slightly, so you can lose a little handling. You can also use changes in tire pressure to "tune" the car to your driving habits.

Both my Benzes came to me with Bridgestone Potenza Re930i tires. Old Yeller has them in 195/70R15, and Whitey has 195/60R15. Speedo and odo on Old Yeller are dead on. Whitey's read about 10 percent high. Of late, I've been running manufacturer recommended pressure in the big tires, and 36 in the little ones. Handling with Old Yeller is good but not great. Whitey acts like he's on rails, but he's my commuter, and I drive a five mile stretch of dirt with washboard and embedded rock every day, so after weighing the car (1800 on the steer axle and 1560 on the drive axle, full fuel and no driver), and consulting the TRA Yearbook, I've found I can get away with as little as 26 psi at all four corners. I'll be working my way down in steps until I find the right compromise of handling, ride quality, and rolling resistance.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-16-2006, 12:01 AM
JimmyL's Avatar
Rogue T Intolerant!!!
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Sunnyvale, Texas (DFW)
Posts: 9,675
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkerste219
tires, what size? From what I can find out, the orginial size is 175SR14. On the front I now have 185/70/r14 and on the rear 195/70/r14.

not sure what the differences are and what to ask for when I buy new tires.

Bob
81 240D

205/70/R14 Trust me on that one...
__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-16-2006, 05:11 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,613
205/70 is considerably larger than stock size for a 240. i have had at least 8 240s. i find they are happiest, imho, with the correct size tires. sharp steering and excellent ride and handling. bigger tires will make it ride harder, your speedo will be off and you will lose gear ratio, so acceleration will be slowed.

the 175r14 is actually a 175/80 i believe, but you can check a tire chart for actual diameter. a 195/70 or 195/65 or 195/75 is the same diameter i cant remember which is the same diameter as the 175r14. whichever is the same diameter is what is the factory optional recommended size. the same diameter is what i recommend after the 175r14 which can be a little hard to find.

i would check your odo against the mile markers on the interstate. your mileage is good and may be just good running or your odo could be slipping and making it look better.

i have found the most common cruise problem is bad amp. i have never tried to repair it myself.

my $.02

yom e
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-16-2006, 08:31 AM
Craig
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyL
205/70/R14 Trust me on that one...
I like 205s on my 300D, but I think that's too big for a 240D. I like 185/75-14 on the 240D, and 195/70-14 has about the same diameter.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-16-2006, 02:50 PM
JimmyL's Avatar
Rogue T Intolerant!!!
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Sunnyvale, Texas (DFW)
Posts: 9,675
Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig
I like 205s on my 300D, but I think that's too big for a 240D. I like 185/75-14 on the 240D, and 195/70-14 has about the same diameter.

YOu know, I agree with Craig and TW on this one. My mind set is always "300" mode, as I don't have the elusive 240 yet. So, don't trust me on that one.....
__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-20-2006, 02:44 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fayetteville , NC
Posts: 89
Question

no owner's manual in gove compartment..

do I need one?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-20-2006, 03:21 AM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
Need owner's manual?

Yes, they DO really help.
I wouldn't be without one.

Ask your dealer or get one on ebay.
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-20-2006, 03:55 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Fayetteville , NC
Posts: 89
Question new tires from firestone

Went to firestone today and good, bad, or indifferent, came out with 4 new tires:

185/70/r14 turanza series with a 70,000 mile guarantee. Also purchased their ‘for as long as I own the car’ alignment agreement. So I will go back in 5,000 miles.

I have a Sears alignment for my 84 Isuzu and they still honor it.


I went to the store asking for 175/R14 (and of course , this is an old no longer used tire size)..

They recommended the 185/70/r14, will this be ok for my 81 240d with a manual transmission?

I have a hand held GPS system, and when my 240d said it went 2.5 miles, the GPS said 2.42, for a difference of .08 miles. Is this ok?

Firestone did say, I have 30 days to decide if I want a different tire, I could go back and get them with no problems. If I go back, what should I ask for?

Bob
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-20-2006, 04:16 PM
Craig
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
This is a handy tire size calculator for comparing different sizes:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

According to the manual for my 240D, the original tire size was 175 SR-14 (similar to 175/80-14). Your new tires are 185/70-14, which are 3.3% smaller diameter than stock. This corresponds to the speedometer error that you measured 2.5/2.42=1.033. I use 185/75-14 on my 240D, which are a little taller and almost identical to the stock diameter. Personally, I don't think 3% is a big deal. What you have done is reduced you final gear ratio a little, which will give up a little better low end performance and limit your top speed a little. I would just use the tires you bought and decide if you want to do something different next time. Also, I would keep an eye on the front tire wear, some chain stores don't really know how to do a proper alignment on a benz.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page