78 240D - Offered to me for FREE! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

71inka02 · #1 12-11-2008, 09:14 PM

So finally the MB diesel gods are looking after me -- You may want to pop some corn and get a fresh beer before you read further....

So real quick, about me...I owned W123's in the mid 80's and early 90's and left the 'haven' for many years, but never lost my love for the cars...That oversized steering wheel, the weight, the feel, the look, the ride, the handling, the performance...and yes the sound when you really get on it!! And for those of you in the 'gutter', I'm still talking about the MB diesels of old --- Not an old girl friend!...even though, there was this one girl --- sorry, mind wondered!

So, a few months back I saw the error of my ways, repented and am once again an owner and in love with these cars!

A friend of mine this past weekend said..."I know a man that has a car that looks like yours (referring to my 83 300D-which by the way is for sale), it's been sitting behind his house for years..." I replied, with a casual, like I'm not really interested attitude and said..."oh yea (took a drink of my Vodka), where and who......?"

Did the 'drop in' on the man this afternoon in the pouring rain -- It's a 78 240D - automatic w/air, crank windows and basically nothing else but the bare necessities...paint is faded, tires are flat but it does have the original stainless hubcaps. The owner couldn't find the keys, but does have the title...the car is locked, so I couldn't get an up close inside look --- but through the windows in the pouring rain...it looks pretty dadgum good.

The man drove it regularly up until --- he said (read the following with an older man, great southern draw - and yes I'm happy to work with those of you above the Mason-Dixon line if needed)...

He said - "I recken, it's ben a sittin, ooohhhhh, mayyyybeeee...4/5 years, that's when my nephew wanted it to drive around Washintun while in school up ar---I told him he could have it, but the brakes needed replacin...and he'd have to give me $500 for it, and pay to have the brakes fixed, I whutin gonna let him take it with bad brakes --- but these youngins in my family, they want everthang for nothin and he got mad cause I wouldn't give it to him and pay to have the brakes fixed...he's turnin out ok though, and datin a real nice girl."

So I turned on my birth given southern accent, thinking it would help with the negotiation process...and said..."I mite be inurstead...what ch'ya wantin to geit fur it?"

Ok - Now here's the best part, But I guess I should ask you...does anyone need a bathroom break before I continue...?

Breaks over, welcome back --- He looked out in his driveway (I drove my Land Rover-didn't want to pull up in the 123 or 126 - now it's my understanding that mention of vehicles other than MB's is against forum rules - but my Rover plays a key part in the story, and I hope our moderators will allow me a little bend of the rules), and said..."Ya thank at truck ull pull it"?...And being the typical snob'ish overly confident Rover owner that I am, I said..."hell yea, it'll pull it - it'll pull 2 or 3 of em, and if you've got some stumps you want pulled up, hell, I'll do that too, after I load up the car!!" I even spit on the ground for true effect....He rolled his eyes, and started laughing, as I'm sure some of you are doing right now. It's ok --- I've owned 2 Land Rovers, go ahead and laugh, you can't offend me!

He then said..."you seem like a nice feller, if you can haul it off, you can have it...my wife has wanted at car gone for a couple of years now, how soon can you come back and git it?" Can you tell I'm having a blast with this opportunity??

Seriously -- he's going to dig out the keys, and I'm going back on Saturday to look, touch and feel my new addition to the fleet. BUT I have no idea what to first check and do to a car that was running perfectly, per the owner (other than brakes), but has been sitting for 4/5 years.

Please help...I need suggestions and ideas, and thanks for allowing me to have some fun with this.

And one last thing --- I really hope my Rover doesn't break down between now and Monday when I hope to pick it up......And I'm also a lookin fur someone to tell my wife....I'm under marriage law to reduce the fleet!!

jross · #2 12-11-2008, 09:44 PM

I'd start by throwing some BioBor in the tank, on the assumption that crap has gotten in there on the last few years. Check the battery, if it still has one. If you can get it to turn over, you'll be able to spot issues as they arise. I think the usual problem is rubber degradation, so keep an eye on belts & hoses.

71inka02 · #3 12-11-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jross

I'd start by throwing some BioBor in the tank, on the assumption that crap has gotten in there on the last few years. Check the battery, if it still has one. If you can get it to turn over, you'll be able to spot issues as they arise. I think the usual problem is rubber degradation, so keep an eye on belts & hoses.

Good input on the fuel --- Will do a shock and treat.

Should I do an oil change and fuel filters before attempting to start?

Gene Horr · #4 12-11-2008, 10:05 PM

If it won't start are you going to dump it? If so don't bother with the oil change. As long as you don't run it for a long time as long as it has oil you should be fine. Just change it before running it for a few minutes.

I would at least change the small fuel filter. Its only a few dollars.

You won't be able to jump it. That battery is bad. Pull a spare out of another vehicle to hook it up and then jump.

ascalise · #5 12-11-2008, 10:39 PM

I would start by renting a truck that probably wont break down trying to get it out of there, he might change his mind!

Also, i used to jumpstart my 300sd all of the time with heavy cables off of my old chevy tahoe. I think you will be fine with good cables. I would try to start the car with fresh fuel from a coke bottle or can. Just take the two lines coming from the tank off and stick them in the bottle. New primary filter would be a good idea too.

71inka02 · #6 12-11-2008, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Horr

If it won't start are you going to dump it? If so don't bother with the oil change. As long as you don't run it for a long time as long as it has oil you should be fine. Just change it before running it for a few minutes.

I would at least change the small fuel filter. Its only a few dollars.

You won't be able to jump it. That battery is bad. Pull a spare out of another vehicle to hook it up and then jump.

Too early to say exactly what I'll do with the car --- My intention is to get it, check it over and make it a project car. I think it would be totally cool to have a basic 240D - My mechanical abilities are limited, so with that in mind depending on if it starts, and what it may need...blah blah - I'll play it by ear.

And honestly - I've found another MB that I want...and promised I'd sell something before adding. One thing is absolute - I can't take it to my house...no space, and if my wife pulls in, opens the garage and there's a faded really dirty car with 4 flat tires sitting there....It's not going to be good. I make a 'guy' joke about that --- but it would upset her, and I try to really respect her feelings on certain things. And she now makes more money than I do.......

So I'm whipped!

71inka02 · #7 12-11-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascalise

I would start by renting a truck that probably wont break down trying to get it out of there, he might change his mind!

Also, i used to jumpstart my 300sd all of the time with heavy cables off of my old chevy tahoe. I think you will be fine with good cables. I would try to start the car with fresh fuel from a coke bottle or can. Just take the two lines coming from the tank off and stick them in the bottle. New primary filter would be a good idea too.

Ok -- not bad reply time before someone picked up on my 'other vehicles' bad reputation...

...but I love it.

I left a message with my uncle - he has a car haul trailer, and he has a place to put it --- Just don't know what to expect when attempting to winch it up on trailer...brakes or wheel bearings frozen etc...-you probably know more than I.

71inka02 · #8 12-11-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Horr

If it won't start are you going to dump it? If so don't bother with the oil change. As long as you don't run it for a long time as long as it has oil you should be fine. Just change it before running it for a few minutes.

I would at least change the small fuel filter. Its only a few dollars.

You won't be able to jump it. That battery is bad. Pull a spare out of another vehicle to hook it up and then jump.

I just had a great idea --- if I decide not to keep...maybe there is a better market for a basic 78 240D with 138,xxx original miles, than for my 300D...So maybe I'll put the 240 up for sale, and throw in the 300D as a bonus gift!

daw_two · #9 12-11-2008, 11:30 PM

Take a LOT of air. Try to air the tires....even if you just get the front 2 aired up it will make "loading" the thing easier.

STOP telling people about it.....until you HAVE it. You surely would not want a "fellow" forum member living in your area to rush over and steal that opportunity from you...............NOT that any true Southern Gentleman would, right?

Put the thing on a trailer..........take it to your uncle's........get it running......with decent tires and brakes..........then go back and see the old man with his favorite drink. Take him for a ride in the car, then give him the bottle. If he offers to share, be sure you stay sober to drive home, but do have ONE drink with him and a toast to these classic cars.

Well.....the above is what I would do...........

71inka02 · #10 12-11-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Take a LOT of air. Try to air the tires....even if you just get the front 2 aired up it will make "loading" the thing easier.

STOP telling people about it.....until you HAVE it. You surely would not want a "fellow" forum member living in your area to rush over and steal that opportunity from you...............NOT that any true Southern Gentleman would, right?

Put the thing on a trailer..........take it to your uncle's........get it running......with decent tires and brakes..........then go back and see the old man with his favorite drink. Take him for a ride in the car, then give him the bottle. If he offers to share, be sure you stay sober to drive home, but do have ONE drink with him and a toast to these classic cars.

Well.....the above is what I would do...........

Really like the idea of taking the man for a ride, and sharing a drink with him! That's class - will do. So is Tenn home for you --- I picked up a touch of Tenn 'style' in your suggestion. I visit Memphis area a couple of times per year --- The Zone spun off a chain of Heavy Duty/Truck Parts stores that I do some work for/with...they're in Cordova, TN.

And as far as someone 'stealing' out from under me --- Not worried about that - This man was so nice and down to earth...I have no doubt that he will honor our 'hand shake' agreement. And - vehicles we stumble on, aren't always in our home towns, and not everyones address shows up on the most up to date GPS maps......No worries mate...

Thanks...

Jeremy5848 · #11 12-12-2008, 12:27 AM

Nice story, thanks for sharing. Let us know what finally happens, and PLEASE send us some of your 'pouring rain,' we really need it.

71inka02 · #12 12-12-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Nice story, thanks for sharing. Let us know what finally happens, and PLEASE send us some of your 'pouring rain,' we really need it.

Thanks Jeremy5848 -- I'll for sure keep you posted, as I'm sure I may have some questions. I'll also take some pics and try to post them - I may need some direction on including pics in the thread - I tried to upload a couple of things to my profile, and was told he upload failed - too large. ???

And about the rain - Sorry but we need it too....

ImBroke · #13 12-12-2008, 09:55 AM

Best to host them on a remote site like Photobucket,and post the links in the thread. I would leave the size as 1280x960 or so, so it doesn't blow everyone's monitors up when they try to look at a 3600 resolution 12 meg photo. (not saying that's what you have, but you get the idea). lol Sounds like a heck of a car, at an even better price. Standing by to assist. If you were closer than 4 hours, I could stop by and assist.

thayer · #14 12-12-2008, 11:24 AM

I'm about an hour and a half from you. Let me know if you want to get rid of it. I've got room and a wife that doesn't mind. And a good mechanic that knows about these cars.

71inka02 · #15 12-12-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thayer

I'm about an hour and a half from you. Let me know if you want to get rid of it. I've got room and a wife that doesn't mind. And a good mechanic that knows about these cars.

Hey - Mt. Airy, NC....birth place of Andy Griffith...Beautiful area.

I'm hearing from other NC folks thru this forum - we should think about a GTG of sometype...maybe a 'tech session'? I'm still new to this forum, and it would be neat to actually meet some folks....?