My 240d stick is the slowest car in the world. i have had it for 4 years and i get beat by automatic 240ds all the time. I always maintain it. I do the valves filters and oil on a regular basis, so i dont think its maitenence related. It runs really nice but is soooo slow. Im thinking it might be the altitude adjustment on the injection pump. How do i check to see if im at the right altitude?
oh yeah, i live in bonsall california, about ten minutes from the coast.

Are the valves properly adjusted? Also, make sure the IP timing is correct. Clogged injectors will also cut into the power. Have you run a lot of diesel purge through the car?

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

I am not sure what the initials stand for exactly..ALDA...but I do know that it is "supposed" to do automatic altitude corrections to the governor end of the Fuel Injection Pump......

Havn't had a 240D in 4 or 5 years tho.....don't remember the Injection Pump exactly.....

SB

__________________

Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

No ALDA on an NA. There is a pressure sensor of some kind on the IP but I don't know how it works.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Rory,
Like your brother I am addicted to this site. I thought only SD's have the setting. It is a little knob on the back of the injection pump or on the top right? I cant seem to find one on my 81 240 either. How is your SD going any way?
-Stephen

The Altititude Compensator should be factory set or rebuilder set, i.e., paint lines marked on it. Mine are yellow. You didn't mention any fuel filter changes which would cause similar low power problems to a out of alignment A.C.. You adjust same way as steering box. Loosen locknut while holding set screw in place, then quarter turn CCW at a time to find sweet spot. Don't lose track of where you started in case you have to go back.

__________________
1981 240d
Newport,RI

well i dotn know about you, but i feel like i had the same issue with my 240D suuuupppeeerrr slow. i am talking like 2 minute 0-60, more if the slightest incline was in the way. keep trying all kinds of stuff and was wondering what could cause this slow behavior. then a forum member finnaly enlightened me. My 300D has a ALDA on the Injector pump, and my 240D does also. Both y 300D and my 240D have a vacuum line connected to it. BUT the 240D is not supposed to be hooked up. only the turbo ALDA's need the vacuum connected. the vacuum on the 240D's ADA causes your Injector pump to lower your fuel injected. i disconnected that in my 240D and it felt like i could beat my Ricer neighbor.

so make sure your ADA is does not have a vacuum line going to it.

__________________

Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

Just adjust the ADA (non turbo version of the ALDA) 1/4 turn CCW at a time until you see smoke out the exhaust.

I turned the one on my '77 240 all the way CCW and it made a little difference. Mine is an early automatic that starts in second.... gets kinda hairy in traffic.

__________________
My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

My li'l grey book..."Technical Data Passenger Cars" 1985 Edition says.....

240D....123.123....Axel Ratio 3.92......0 - 100 Km (0-60mph roughly)......

Manual Transmission.......22.0 sec
Auto Transmission..........24.7 sec

SB

__________________

Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG