Well, I'm stranded. - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vstech · #46 01-22-2008, 09:04 AM

that is a very good point herring. although, I suspect he got low on fuel somewhere in between florida and the mountains. 500 miles is a bit too much for a tank on even an ebay MB Diesel... there are a few steep hills to climb...

jkoebel · #47 01-22-2008, 10:25 AM

Fueled up twice, in fact -- once in Georgia, and again in South Carolina. I get about 300 miles to a tank, averaging 20 mpg in my 240D. (abysmal fuel economy...only thing I can think to do is adjust valves at this point.)

Both stations sold #2 Diesel, according to the stickers, though. I added Diesel Kleen to each tank as well.

Stevo · #48 01-22-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoebel

Fueled up twice, in fact -- once in Georgia, and again in South Carolina. I get about 300 miles to a tank, averaging 20 mpg in my 240D. (abysmal fuel economy...only thing I can think to do is adjust valves at this point.)

Both stations sold #2 Diesel, according to the stickers, though. I added Diesel Kleen to each tank as well.

20 MPG is worse than abysmal for a 240D, adjusting the valves will be a good thing but probably wont help your MsPG, I would be looking for a fuel leak.

herring · #49 01-22-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoebel

Fueled up twice, in fact -- once in Georgia, and again in South Carolina. I get about 300 miles to a tank, averaging 20 mpg in my 240D. (abysmal fuel economy...only thing I can think to do is adjust valves at this point.)

Both stations sold #2 Diesel, according to the stickers, though. I added Diesel Kleen to each tank as well.

Hadn't considered that you'd have gone through more than one tank of fuel. I'd have thought the stuff sold in the Carolinas would be winterized. I'd suggest that once you get it up and running you find some kerosene to add before shutting it down again. I know kerosene isn't available at all that many places.

For people making similar trips northward in the winter, maybe carrying a 5-gallon can or two of kerosene with you isn't a bad idea, or am I being ridiculous now?

I'm glad the 240 I just bought has a block heater installed, but you can't get a plugin everywhere.

nhdoc · #50 01-22-2008, 12:41 PM

You can just add a little of the power service diesel fuel supplement in the white bottle if you are concerned about the "summer" fuel being used in a colder climate.

A few ounces of that stuff will prevent gelling to below zero. AFAIK they sell it at every wal-mart.

vstech · #51 01-22-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

20 MPG is worse than abysmal for a 240D, adjusting the valves will be a good thing but probably wont help your MsPG, I would be looking for a fuel leak.

or a slipping odometer...

Jordan G · #52 01-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

or a slipping odometer...

Now I'm paranoid - I'm not much better than that (around 23mpg on the highway) and my odometer is legit, although I do have an automatic.

vstech · #53 01-22-2008, 02:26 PM

an auto? ahh, well in mountains and such you must be pretty much flooring it all the time. are you SURE the odometer is correct? you've checked it against mile markers over at least 10 miles? your tranny may be overly slipping. you should still be getting around 24mpg on highway though.

Jordan G · #54 01-22-2008, 02:39 PM

Yeah - I've checked it against mile markers and I know the door to door distance from my house to the office (almost exactly 30 miles - one way) and I'm painfully reliant on my odometer with my flaky fuel gauge. No hills on my commute though.

If 24 is what is to be expected.....I'm not too concerned then. After reading Stevo's post and your reply - I began to think otherwise (2 trusted dieselheads - not inflated ebay mileage claims).

Thanks for assuaging my irrational fears

vstech · #55 01-22-2008, 02:58 PM

oops, I got you confused with the OP... sorry. normal travel an good running 240 auto should be getting around 28 on highway. 24 in town... assuming rational speeds on the highway (you know with your ears if you are going too fast to hear the radio...) less than 1000 feet elevation, good air filter.

Jordan G · #56 01-22-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

oops, I got you confused with the OP... sorry. normal travel an good running 240 auto should be getting around 28 on highway. 24 in town... assuming rational speeds on the highway (you know with your ears if you are going too fast to hear the radio...) less than 1000 feet elevation, good air filter.

Thanks John - maybe I am off slightly then, as I have a new air filter and cruise between 65-70. Wait - rational speeds? I thought higher speeds meant better fuel economy?

. Just kidding - just kidding - just a shout out to my favorite irrational thread.

Sorry for hijacking - it's just fun to commiserate with other 240 owners

.

bustedbenz · #57 01-22-2008, 03:21 PM

Kerosene in this state is not road legal. Dye.

And 500 miles per tank is quite reasonable on a w126 sized tank... I usually call 550 fill-up time.

Since the car in question is a w123 this is irrelevant... but I just thought I'd throw it out there as an IYWW (If You Were Wondering)

vstech · #58 01-22-2008, 03:46 PM

kero should be legal as an additive to keep fuel from gelling. it's in the owners manual.
I doubt an SD would get 500 miles climbing those mountains... well large hills that is...

herring · #59 01-22-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

Kerosene in this state is not road legal. Dye.

Since there was a whole other thread on dyed fuel and no one reported ever being dipped in a diesel car, and since as vstech pointed out it would be used as a fuel ADDITIVE, per manufacturer instructions, I wouldn't worry about it.

bustedbenz · #60 01-22-2008, 04:10 PM

There was one dip out west somewhere... I agree completely but I think that if the officer DID test me, and found kero in the tank as an additive, he wouldn't care about the manual page that said to use it as an additive. He'd just say "Well, son, it's a shame that you're not in a state where it's legal to follow those directions, here's your fine".

NC Police are not known for being reasonable in cases like that.