Yesterday I was driving with my young son when he told me that even though he likes my 1991 420SEL he really misses my old 1984 300SD TurboDiesel. When I asked him why he missed the diesel, he said that he really liked the sound of the engine. He said that there was something comforting in the clatter of a diesel engine. Then he asked me why do diesels clatter.

I tried to answer his question, but I found myself at a loss for an answer that made sense. I didn't want to give him a made up answer, so I am asking you guys (and gals)...what makes diesels clatter?

Thanks.

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Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

I too would like to know the answer to this one...I'm often asked the same thing.


None the less, mine "clatters" soooo nicely

jeric

The clatter in my 1982 300D is almost gone since I switched to Mobil 1 a few thousand miles ago!!

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Richard Seaman
1982 300D Turbo 198k
1987 420SEL Sold
1993 400SEL 123k
MBCA Desert Stars

The clatter that you hear is actually the sounds of tiny explosions or diesel fule igniting.

The "clatter" your hear is a combination of the sound of the valve train, which is a fully mechanical system, with no hydraulic lifters to "dampen" it, and the sound of the fuel detonation as it echos off of the cooling jackets around each cylinder, but it is mostly attributable to the "harder" valves used in diesel engines.

You'll usually find that it's more noticable after you have either had a valve adjustment done, or done one yourself.

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Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

I showed my son the question (he corrected me saying that it was "our" 420 and "our" diesel) and the answers. He thanks you. He says this is a real neat forum, and he tells me that when he is ready to drive (in a few years) he'll be buying a Benz, most likely a diesel. Ladies and gentlemen I think that we have a new diesel convert.

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

I've wanted a diesel Mercedes of my own since I was 7 years old. Everyone gave me crap about how it was a stage I was going though... and one day I'd "snap out of it." But look at me 10 years later, with a 300D of my own. No doubt my next car will be a diesel benz (300SDL maybe), but I'm very satisfied with the 300D.