took my 1981 240d, 4 speed manual to be instected and it failed. the exhaust system had "excessive leakage."

what upset me the most was the young person, who must have been learning how to drive standard on my MB. I had to go out to the shop bay and ask if she needed me to drive the car out. she said no, and had someone else drive it out.

never going back there again.

will Midus (spelling ?) brake shop and exhaust people be good enought to replace the exhaust system?

Bob

I once took an 89 Chevy Celebrity to midas to get a muffler and tailpipe put on. Was quick but kinda pricey...

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Looking for another Mercedes 300D or SD as a project vehicle..

Check it yourself to make sure its really leaking. I've had one of those places try to rip me off before. I find the independently owned muffler shops are much better.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

As you are in NC, there should be a good, independent exhaust shop nearby. Look for one that caters to the race car guys! You list Fayetteville as your location, are you in the Army? Around 35 years ago there was a "Special Services" sponsored DIY Auto Shop on Main Post......you could fix it there, if you are in the Military.

SB
XVIII Abn. Cps. (ETS 1971)

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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 retired in 1992 and use the car daily for work. work in raleigh, so it is a long drive but the end is in sight. can retire next year, if I want.

since i use it daily, i just don't mind that much to shell out a few dollars. since I purchased the car a year ago, have not spend much except for fuel, 15w/40 engine oil, filters.

bob
1981 240d

Seems odd that you would find the first indication of an exhaust system failing to be a State Inspection. Usually they make some noise, and rarely does the whole system fail all at once. It seems like it should be worth putting the car on a lift and doing a good inspection yourself.

But, the car is getting older and has been out of production for some time. Typically no local muffler shop will have the hardware in stock. So the prices won't be any better than the local dealership. If you intend to keep the car for a long time, try a stainless system from Timevalve (www.timevalve.com). It is a reasonable do it yourself task to change the whole system if you have access to a lift. Or buy the parts and take them to the local garage and pay them to install it. Good luck, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Actually, if you're retired military, there's a good chance you could still get it done on base.

I'm retired Navy, and I know of several Navy bases that are nowhere near the size of Fort Bragg, that had a service station and garage w/ full time mechanics run by the Navy Exchange, in addition to the normal DIY auto hobby shop.

Being retired military, you can still make use of facilities on a military base - ie, base exchange, military hospital, etc. Granted, that use is restricted compared to active duty personnel, but there's still the possibility you could make use of it.

I'd at least check into it. They should at least be able to put it up on a lift and give you a second opinion on the exhaust system, if not do the repair work and the DMV inspection as well, and/or be able to order parts, depending on what type of facilities they have, and what the current rules are for retired personnel making use of them.

If you can't get it done on base, then I'd get as far away from the base as possible and the "strip" surrounding it - the often less-than-ethical establishments that make their living ripping off military personnel. That's another idea - check with the base exchange and see which if any of the auto repair shops in the area have been blacklisted for unethical business practices. If they wouldn't bat an eye screwing over someone on active duty, they certainly wouldn't hesitate to do it to the general public.

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Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club

I'd be glad to sponsor you into the DIY shop, say the 240 is mine or something. I've never even been there and wanna check it out sometime.

If you use the DIY shop try to see if you can find the leak on the curb then you can already have the parts you need to replace when you get here. Better than going to the shop twice.

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1985 MB 300D/T

Fell off the WVO bandwagon when people started trying to charge $2.50 a gallon for dirty vegetable oil.

This happened to me. My 300D muffler and exhaust pipe were rusted with holes (both were original). Went to a muffler place on Capital Blvd and they had everything in stock - paid less than $200.00.

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

Take it to a different testing station.

Theres a few in your area http://www.tuffy.com/

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the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa

yesterday, took it to an indy, passed !! no problem.

came to the conclusion that a 18 yr old (younger then my MB 240d) just doesn't understand older diesel cars.

any good to go for the next year.

Bob
1981 240d