Just got an 81 240D.... now what? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Wyle E. Coyote · #1 12-06-2006, 02:11 AM

This is my first venture into Mercedes automobiles. I'm not new to cars, I have rebuilt some nice ones over the years. But a week ago I purchased my 240D from my father-in-law, and I have a steep learning curve ahead of me. That's what brings me to this board.

First thing I need to do is learn the basics on this car. So,... what manual(s) do you recommend and where do I find them? With a good manual there is almost nothing I can't do!

First repair I need to make is to get the dash lights working again. I checked the fuse panel on the firewall, and all appears well in there. But the adjustment knob/trip odometer reset switch,... well,... has issues. So I think that is the source of the problem. Now if I could only figure out how to get it outta there.

Then I might need to look at the tranny. It has a nasty scratch going into 2nd gear (it's a 4-speed). Might look at getting a 5-speed, if I can find out what will interchange.

This car is solid and appearantly rust free, but does have it's share of little tlc items to repair. It has sat in the garage alot over the last 4-5 years, so most of the things that have to be addressed appear to be small items. Right now I am just driving and loving my new car.

Here's the first picts I took of the car, right after I got it home from Boise last wednesday, (hadn't even washed it up yet):

I look forward to getting to know more about my new baby. Thanks for your help.

stcbenz83 · #2 12-06-2006, 02:14 AM

very nice car. About the dash lights, either the bulbs are burned out, or more likley the rehostat has taken a crap, either case ur going to remove the dash which is pretty easy on the w123. u have a 616 engine.

with the scratch, try changing the fluid in the trans, Use either Auto trans fluid or motor oil. it is highly recomended that u dont use gear oil, however a couple people here have and not had any problems yet. maybe its a sticky syncro.. how many miles??

bgkast · #3 12-06-2006, 03:05 AM

You don't have to pull the whole dash to replace the rheostat (dimmer) just the gauge cluster, which is not too hard. Often just twisting the knob a few times will get the lights working. (This trick worked in one of my cars, a twin to yours).

I would also check into changing the oil in the transmission. There was a thread here recently where somebody was having the exact same problem as you. 5 speeds for these cars are SCACE!

The Haynes manual for these cars is ok, but this forum will be your best resource. There is almost nothing a search here will not shed light on. The factory manual on CD would be good to have too (I should order a set myself). They can be found in the "classic" section of the Mercedes web site.

Welcome!

Edit: here is the transmission thread I mentioned: Manual Tranny Issue

stcbenz83 · #4 12-06-2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

You don't have to pull the whole dash to replace the rheostat (dimmer) just the gauge cluster, which is not too hard. Often just twisting the knob a few times will get the lights working. (This trick worked in one of my cars, a twin to yours).

I would also check into changing the oil in the transmission. There was a thread here recently where somebody was having the exact same problem as you. 5 speeds for these cars are SCACE!

The Haynes manual for these cars is ok, but this forum will be your best resource. There is almost nothing a search here will not shed light on.

Welcome!

sorry thats what i ment, the gauge cluster. not the whole dash

Colorado220 · #5 12-06-2006, 03:09 AM

That is a beauty...... Super clean!!!! Nice scout also!

Shorebilly · #6 12-06-2006, 06:07 AM

....it's a German car.....

This forum is a good place to find all sorts of info relating to your new car/addiction (these old Benzes will grow on ya).....

I would go here.....

http://www.mbusa.com/heritage/index.do

.....mouse over the "Classic Center" tab and select "Technical Literature" then enter your cars info in the boxes as prompted.....they will tell you what MBUSA has available for your car......I highly recommend the Model 123 Service Manual Library......it's on CD and includes all of the original MB service manuals that relate to the W123 .....it's not the best system, it's the manuals in .pdf format......nearly impossible to search.....but most info that you will want is in there....somewhere.....and it's only $20......each of the manuals contained are going for in excess of $50 on e-Bay...or a couple hundred bucks for the set.....
Engine Manual
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
Maintenance Manual
Owners Manual
Climate Control Manual
Chassis and Body Manual

Also....if you click on parts on the header above...you get to meet Phil.....he has most stuff that you will need...

There is a fella here Diesel Giant.....find his website....

and sign up for the magasine/catalog here...

http://www.performanceproducts4benz.com/

.....also check out their on-line catalog while you are there.....

Nice car......had a similar one several years back......good luck on your new adventure.....

SB

pj67coll · #7 12-06-2006, 10:41 AM

Your car appears to be a twin of mine. Nice. And yes, I'm the guy with the simliar tranny problem to you. I'm going to try an oil change for the gears before doing anything else.

- Peter.

gatorblue92 · #8 12-06-2006, 10:59 AM

nice benz... and that scout looks really good too

Wyle E. Coyote · #9 12-06-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stcbenz83

very nice car. About the dash lights, either the bulbs are burned out, or more likley the rehostat has taken a crap, either case ur going to remove the dash which is pretty easy on the w123. u have a 616 engine.

with the scratch, try changing the fluid in the trans, Use either Auto trans fluid or motor oil. it is highly recomended that u dont use gear oil, however a couple people here have and not had any problems yet. maybe its a sticky syncro.. how many miles??

Thank you. The more I drive it the more excited I get about it. Anyway, yes I think replacing the rehostat is the first order of business. When I havee the cluster out I'll check bulbs and sockets. Right now it has 260k on it, but it might be off by a few due to the intermittantcy of it.

Thanks for the links everyone. Going to have to order the MB's CD so I can study the car. I also need to spend a weekend just crawling around it. The car was regularly serviced by an independent MB shop in Boise, but I have no idea of the credibility of their work. Seems to run fine though, but that could also be because of the precision craftsmanship of it. It IS a German car.

As for the Scout, thanks man!

My other baby. I hope she doesn't get jealous of the NB. I'd hate to go out one morning and find her on top of the car.

retx · #10 12-06-2006, 12:30 PM

not sure if the 240 cluster is as easy to remove as the 300, but if it is youll love it. just remove the kick panels above the gas/brake/clutch pedals. be careful not to snag any wires or vaccum lines. reach up and disconnect the speedo cable (im not sure of your oil gauge...mine has an oil tube)
you can buy the tool to remove the cluster or just make your own.here is a thread detailing it. Dash and console lights - out!
good luck.

Stevo · #11 12-06-2006, 01:22 PM

What I would do is plug "240D" into the search and you'll have a couple days entertainment and most subjects touched on, at least, that you will probably ever need to deal with on your new car. They are fine cars, easy and fun too work on.
happy motoring

bgkast · #12 12-06-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retx

not sure if the 240 cluster is as easy to remove as the 300, but if it is youll love it. just remove the kick panels above the gas/brake/clutch pedals. be careful not to snag any wires or vaccum lines. reach up and disconnect the speedo cable (im not sure of your oil gauge...mine has an oil tube)
you can buy the tool to remove the cluster or just make your own.here is a thread detailing it. Dash and console lights - out!
good luck.

It is. You also mist disconnect the line to the oil gauge (don't start it whith this disconnected

). A gentle push from behind should work as well as the removal tools.

Cephallus · #13 12-06-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

You also mist disconnect the line to the oil gauge (don't start it whith this disconnected

).

It's amazing how quickly (a rather large quantity of) oil pours all over your pants when you do this.

Stevo · #14 12-06-2006, 03:46 PM

Dont forget too disconnect the plastic bracket that secures the speedo cable in the eng compartment, or you'll have ALMOST enough slack to get to the stuff in back of the instrument cluster. Not all these old cars still have this bracket tho.