time to bring the car home, 82' 240d manual - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

centroid1 · #1 03-21-2007, 11:14 AM

ok, so we've talked alot about the car and it looks like i'm going forward with it. just to refresh your memory, its 1982 240d manual with 230k in santa cruz, ca, $3200. mechanic cheched it out and gave it the thumbs up. i'm flying out and driving it back to minneapolis, about 2000 miles. it should be fun. managed to talk a friend into it. here's the link to the car (the site belongs to the owner's son):

http://www.kuhgott.com/temp/benz/

some questions. what to bring just in case i need to do some kind of mcgyver trick. such as fix the car with a piece of string and a stick of chewing gum !

i don't know, maybe i'm looking for more anecdotes of good bringing home trips to psych me up. i'm also thinking about routes to avoid altitudes as much as possible because i heard the 240d is not too good in the mountains. is there anything you can add to the fuel to help with the high altitudes?? i was thinking 80 across nevada then down to 70 across utah and colorado for some nice scenes. i want to do it in 3-4 days but not still see some nice views. the stereo has an ipod hook up so i'm good there. i'm going to have the mechanic change belts, maybe new wipers, and maybe flush the radiator before i taking off??

holthoff · #2 03-21-2007, 11:23 AM

Congratulations! I think you made a good decision.

As for the trip, it's always a good idea to bring a couple of spare fuel filters and the tools to change them. Also, you might consider bringing a set of tire chains in case you run into snow in the higher altitudes...

Cephallus · #3 03-21-2007, 11:41 AM

holy crap, you're taking a 240d over the 70? brave, brave man! lol.

definitely take the fuel filters, standard mb wrench sizes (10mm, 13mm, 17mm, 19mm), jumper cables. make sure the spare is in good shape, and that you have the jack and a lug wrench in there as well. maybe also consider a 12v work light, if you're going to be driving at night. other than that, have a great trip! beautiful country through there...i was just in denver/arvada last month and it was absolutely stunning.

centroid1 · #4 03-21-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holthoff

spare fuel filters and the tools to change them.

so what kind of tools would i need to change them ?

rrgrassi · #5 03-21-2007, 11:45 AM

Add a 22mm wrench also for the secondary filter.

JimmyL · #6 03-21-2007, 11:46 AM

First thing you need to make sure and bring is a camera! Get a pic as you enter every state, with your car and the sign in the pick. Good history and story to have along with your car.
And, welcome to the club of 240D owners who have a trailer hitch that should never be used......

It is a nice looking car!

centroid1 · #7 03-21-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cephallus

holy crap, you're taking a 240d over the 70? brave, brave man! lol.

i hope you are really laughing out loud. what happens over 70 ???!!! prep me

i know it loud, right, wind noise, engine revs high ?? mechanic said don't worry about flooring it, it doesn't hurt the car.

i'm definite bringing the camera ! this is going to be really cool.

about the extra fuel filters, how would i know if i might need to change it ? what are the signs beside parking on the side of the road scratching my head.

rrgrassi · #8 03-21-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centroid1

i hope you are really laughing out loud. what happens over 70 ???!!! prep me

i know it loud, right, wind noise, engine revs high ?? mechanic said don't worry about flooring it, it doesn't hurt the car.

i'm definite bringing the camera ! this is going to be really cool.

about the extra fuel filters, how would i know if i might need to change it ? what are the signs beside parking on the side of the road scratching my head.

Prefilter, if clear, is real easy to see dirt. Secondary is not easy to see. More than usual sluggishness is a sign of clogging filters, as is harder starts.

79300sdtd · #9 03-21-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centroid1

i hope you are really laughing out loud. what happens over 70 ???!!! prep me

i know it loud, right, wind noise, engine revs high ?? mechanic said don't worry about flooring it, it doesn't hurt the car.

i'm definite bringing the camera ! this is going to be really cool.

he is talking about I-70 through the mountians. LONG uphill grades nice scenery though.

Also when are you planning this trip? According to the farmers alminac we are supposed to be in for a big snow storm here in the next few weeks. the alminac predicted the 5 weeks (approx 75" of snow) this winter and forecasts a stom in late march/ early april that puts all that to shame.

kerry · #10 03-21-2007, 12:55 PM

He was talking about I-70 not 70mph. You're not going to be avoiding altitude on I-70. Vail Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel are going to put you over 11,000 ft. It's clearly the most scenic route. But if you are really serious about avoiding steep climbs, you want I-80 thru Wyoming. It's also a little more direct to MN I think. But the scenery is not as good.
I don't think the steep climbs should be any big deal, but you'll probably be down to second gear at the top. Vail Pass has a steeper climb eastbound.
The chain law rarely applies to autos in Colorado unless you are pulling a trailer.

centroid1 · #11 03-21-2007, 01:07 PM

i am planning leaving this sat (3/24) and be back on (3/27 or 28).

i remembered going over I-70 with a fully loaded pickup truck and a trailer. it wasn't too bad. as for the snow, yikes, i better bring the string and chewing gum

Jim B. · #12 03-21-2007, 01:21 PM

I was another guy rooting all along for you to go ahead with the purchase and the trip, glad it's happening-congrats!!! This sounds like a very good car, that you'll really enjoy having with you for many years.

Be sure to carry extra antifreeze and water for the car, and blankets and drinks and granola bars for you and your friend. Carry the extra filters you'd need, and make sure the oil, brake fluid, belts, and hoses and antifreeze is good, before you leave San Jose. Hopefully the heater and defroster work well....

I trust there are no problems in driving through all those states without " one trip permits" and such. You are likely covered by your car's "newly acquired auto" clause which kicks in automatically for 30 days after you get the car. Just notify them when you can.

It will be a trip to remember for a lifetime. The secenery is spectacular! I was asked to drive a new gray market 1984 500SEC AMG coupe from San Francisco out to Denver the week before Christmas 1985 for a man I knew who wanted his car with him when he skiied at Aspen. It was great, and with the ski rack on the car it made me feel really, really rich too. At the end of the trip I knew I'd try and purchase an SEC one day, and finally, about 10 years later, I did.....

holthoff · #13 03-21-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centroid1

so what kind of tools would i need to change them ?

Just a flat head or a Phillips screwdriver (or both), depending on what kind of clamps are on the hoses, plus a 22mm wrench for the nut on top of the secondary filter (as someone else already noted).

I also like to use a clamp-off tool on the hoses so I don't spill too much fuel in the process. I got mine here...

http://**************.com/node/235

...but I'm sure they're available elsewhere, too.

Good luck!

-Mark

centroid1 · #14 03-21-2007, 02:57 PM

thanks rooting for the car. i have a good feeling about.

that's a cool clamp. i wonder if my local car parts store would have it.

vstech · #15 03-21-2007, 03:03 PM

how much are you going to be able to carry on a plane?
tire chains? fuel filters? screwdrivers? definitely luggage check time.
oh, be sure and remove the firewall side of the fuel filter first, otherwise, you will be pulling the junk back into the tank when you change it.
John