So last week I replaced a leaky radiator with a new one that I ordered from here and now that I have a set of ramps, I've been emboldened to change the oil on my '79 240d (I'm kinda new to car maintenance so I'm taking small steps) I have a couple questions for more capable folk with time on your hands:
1) what type of oil should I use? this is my first diesel, is there a seperate type of oil for it, I'm used to dumping 10w30 into my old car.
2) the car also leaks oil, so there's some pretty nasty accumulated goo on the bottom of the block (it was garaged for a long time). Is there a solvent I can use to clean this up or is a rag and elbow grease my best option?
3) this isn't related to the the oil change so much, but is there something like injector cleaner for diesles? I wonder if something like this would make it so I don't smell my own diesel when I'm balancing my clutch and my accelorator on hills...

Thanks,
Josh

Josh-

#1 Oil- There has been more discussion here than you can imagine- do a search. You can't go wrong with Delo 400 15w-40 but many of us anal folk use synthetics. I use Amsoil Marine & Diesel 15w-40. But is is important to use a diesel rated oil mostly due to the carbon put out by the engine.

#2 If its that bad, probably elbow grease and a scraper with some added Simple Green or Purple stuff ( but watch the purple degreaser as they will dull the alloy portions of your engine)

#3- Most people use Lubro-Moly Diesel Purge, if they use any at all.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

#1- I Use Rotella 15w40 In My '79 300td

#2- Alot Of Brake Clean And A Scraper W/rags:d

#3- NOT SURE,

GOOD LUCK-DANIEL

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PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL!


1979 300TD wagon(Soon to have grease tank!)

Is this also good fro my CAli. car. Temps go from 45 to 75 degrees but comming into 80-90 degree season.(santa barbara)

Walmart here i come. Also just did the oil change but used the wrong oil. Should I get another filter for the Rotella oil change. Only has been 3 weeks.

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Rick & Michele in California
1985 300SD Turbo Deisel
300,000+ miles

1963 Mercury Meteor Stationwagon
1959 Montgomery Ward Silver Pigeon Scooter & matching bicycle
1974 IH Scout 4x4

thank's for the advice, I'll search for oil threads!