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#16
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Check the easy things first - fuel cap
I bought my 300D new in 1983 (over 200K miles) and never had a problem with the fuel cap until a couple of months ago. I noticed a diesel odor and discoloration on the fender. Checked the fuel cap and it felt firm but in reality only one tab was engaged. Reseated and cleaned the car - no problem. Happened again this week. I don't know how much the mileage decreased, but I was clearly pumping diesel on the ground from the return line.
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#17
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As promised:
My tires pressures are all within the realm of normal - 30 in the front, 32 in the rear. Air cleaner is nice and clean - no oil is evident on it. My fuel cap absolutely seals positively based on my inspecting it. I had a look around the IP and the injectors again just to be sure, and everything is nice and dry as a bone.
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1984 300D Turbo, 326000 Km, Thistle Green Metallic |
#18
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Good point; after the commute do a sniff test and see if you get a whiff of Diesel Fuel (including under the hood). I had a small fuel leak at the filter and the first sign was a drop in fuel economy and diesel smell after I parked.
Are they selling DF1 or DF2? How cold was the resent cold snap? I still recommend a shot of Diesel Kleen and the Italian tuneup and reassess. |
#19
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Hmm - well I always smell a diesel exhaust odor after the commute (it's not a new thing at all). It dissipates quickly.
Diesel fuel smell? Not so much - and after sniffing the inside of the fuel tank cap just to assure myself that the smell I usually smell after driving is not the same as that of fuel, I am pretty confident. The smell I smell when I get out of the car is the same smell I detect if I take a whiff of the tailpipe after shutting the car down. So odor-wise, I would say nothing has changed at all since I bought the car four months ago. Not to say I might not have an exhaust leak somewhere, but perhaps that is for another thread. The cold snap has really been over the last two weeks or so and has been at most 10 degrees (C) below normal. The gar is garaged underground - so the temperature it spends most of its asleep time is roughly room temperature and is very constant. As for whether I am getting #1 or #2 fuel - not sure. I'll give my station a call sometime soon and find out for certain. As for next steps? I am going to take the italian tuneup recommendations to heart. I have a few good hills and long sections of quiet road I can use for this, so it['s just a matter of finding a good time (and safe weather) to do it. I may also try some DP and see how that affects things. I'll report back how this next tank does me.
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1984 300D Turbo, 326000 Km, Thistle Green Metallic Last edited by xdjio; 02-08-2008 at 12:05 AM. |
#20
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Update!
So, to give you guys an update! I ran a new tank through the car since my last post on this topic, and I was sure to take the car out and run it fairly hard a few times.
Results? Back to exactly where I was expecting: 21.5 mpg (90% city driving). That's up from 18 or so. Looks like I have a good excuse now to take the car out and drive it hard every few weeks.
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1984 300D Turbo, 326000 Km, Thistle Green Metallic |
#21
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What about....
..... the potential for your odometer to be slipping?
W123 speedo heads are notorious for having a gear slip on the shaft, see archives. This would cause the odometer to register less than the total miles traveled, resulting in a percieved loss of fuel eonomy. Jim
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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles 95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles 94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles 85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles |
#22
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Quote:
I'm not a fan of beating on an old engine in an attempt to "clean it out". There are products that will accomplish this over time with good results. |
#23
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Well - in this case "hard" meant one journey up to 4000, with some highways cruising around 3000.
I do have some diesel purge I need to run through it, but I may try some other products as well - if recommendations are forthcoming. As far as my odometer accuracy, well - I last checked the odo a couple of tanks ago and was able to confirm its accuracy to a reasonable degree (at least to 1/10 of a km). I may make a regular habit of checking its accuracy.
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1984 300D Turbo, 326000 Km, Thistle Green Metallic |
#24
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Thinking outside the car.
Quote:
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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss |
#25
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Bike is always a good plan - however now that things are back to normal, I think I will keep on top of my odo and fuel consumption, and see how things continue to go.
Diesel Purge probably wouldn't hurt either! However finally, it's starting to get just warm enough here that I might consider commuting by bike.
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1984 300D Turbo, 326000 Km, Thistle Green Metallic |
#26
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Quote:
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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss |
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