Bought a new friend for Bodhi ... 240D Euro Delivery - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BodhiBenz1987 · #31 01-09-2009, 07:11 PM

So today I took the new machine to the DMV for registration (in Delaware it's real easy) ... I'm proud to say after a couple laps around the neighborhood behind my dad's place, I managed to drive all the way to the DMV without incident. I'm getting the hang of shifting real quick ... although it seems to grind once in a while shifting into second ... I hope it's me and not the car (it sounded/felt fine when the PO drove it for me). The bad news is, when I got to the DMV, I failed for ... wiper blades and a brake lamp ...

Think I'd notice the blades falling off the wipers before I took it in, eh? So I'll get another practice drive to the DMV, with a special side trip to Pep Boys. The guys at the DMV liked the car, and were impressed with the mileage. I told them I had another one with 250,000 miles on it, and how much I like old diesel Mercedes, and the one guy asked if I was married ... see ... men dig the 240D. I knew it was a good investment.

Some questions/problems I have already:
1-Either this car runs at 100 degrees Fahrenheit or my temp gauge is broken. Anything I should test/check for re: the gauge wiring?
2-The doors don't lock. I doubt anyone will steal my 363,000-mile car ... but I might have something of value in the car at some time. The key goes into the hole but won't turn for anything. Passenger door the same ... bad tumblers? I'm not familiar with the locking mechanism on this car, and haven't bought a Haynes or FSM yet.
3-How much should this car shake? Compared to my 300, the motor in this one is a little rambunctious. New motor mount time, or do I just need to stop being such a sissy and enjoy the 616 sensation?
4-My idle knob has no stop point in either direction, and sometimes turns without having any effect on the idle speed. Sometimes it does do its job. Not sure where to start on that one.
5-I'm guessing I could use a valve adjustment ... I know there are 456 threads about this topic, but I can't seem to find a quick answer for this: Where should/can I buy valve wrenches?

That's all for now. Stay tuned.

KarTek · #32 01-09-2009, 07:40 PM

Since I'm not familiar with the 616, I can't give much advice on it but I did want to compliment you on taking the "bull by the horns" and jumping into learning to drive the manual tranny.

For me it's a zen kind of thing where you have to become "one with the machine" so to speak. There's nothing like the feel of becoming so perfectly synchronized with the operation of the car that you can shift like it's second nature - literally by instinct without having to think about it.

After you get basic smooth shifting down pat, there's all sorts of advanced techniques like double clutching that you can learn and really geek out on the whole thing!

Learning to shift well is not only fun but it's also good for the life of the transmission and clutch as it saves wear and tear on both. Sorry, I get all emotional talking about it...

BodhiBenz1987 · #33 01-09-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

Since I'm not familiar with the 616, I can't give much advice on it but I did want to compliment you on taking the "bull by the horns" and jumping into learning to drive the manual tranny.

For me it's a zen kind of thing where you have to become "one with the machine" so to speak. There's nothing like the feel of becoming so perfectly synchronized with the operation of the car that you can shift like it's second nature - literally by instinct without having to think about it.

After you get basic smooth shifting down pat, there's all sorts of advanced techniques like double clutching that you can learn and really geek out on the whole thing!

Learning to shift well is not only fun but it's also good for the life of the transmission and clutch as it saves wear and tear on both. Sorry, I get all emotional talking about it...

It was pretty exciting for me, although I wouldn't say I'm quite "one with the machine" yet ... nor would the people who got stuck behind me at when I stalled out at a major intersection, twice (it was a serious uphill start!) ...

But I really feel like I'm achieving something ... I know that's funny, but it's been a while since I really learned a new, useful skill. When I first set out to learn the art, I was amazed at how few of my friends/family knew how to drive stick, let alone had a car with a manual tranny. So I just bought one.

KarTek · #34 01-09-2009, 08:29 PM

You know about the parking brake trick for starting on a hill right? When you come to a stop on a hill, set the parking brake. That frees up your right foot to work the accelerator.

When you're ready to go, just give it a little throttle and start letting out on the clutch. When you feel the car starting to strain forward a little, release the brake and proceed to let the clutch out all the way as you would normally.

No problemo!

rs899 · #35 01-10-2009, 07:53 AM

The parking brake trick works good for newbies.

The gear clashing you reported could be aging synchros, cold oil or oil of the wrong viscosity. Should have something light like ATF in there ( I use Redline MTL). Could also be not-so-perfect technique or hydraulics.

Temp gauge- easiest thing to suspect is a bad sensor on the block or bad ground.

Locks- Sure you got all the keys? Maybe the PO or PPO installed a replacement ignition tumbler.

Vibration- Not familiar with any OM 60xx so I have no basis for comparison. Mine is very smooth. Roughness could be motor mounts, injectors, compression, air mixed with fuel, timing, . Look at the motor mounts first.

Idle knob- Are you sure the cable is connected to the injection pump? They frequently break there.

Valve Adjustment- Undoubtedly! Jump in! You don't absolutely need the bent or special wrenches ( I don't have any) but you probably will need to grind one thinner. If you can find an excuse to take the injectors out, it makes the job even easier (without the bent wrenches).

When you have one of these you feel like you have a connection to the guys that drove Model-Ts etc. Real seat of the pants motoring.

Rick

JimmyL · #36 01-10-2009, 12:16 PM

Glad to hear that you are getting the hang of things.
We know these cars aren't chick magnets, but you might have stumbled upon a dude magnet.

I have done more valve adjustments with non bent wrenches than I have with bent wrenches, but let me say this: It is much easier with the bent ones, and that makes it easier to be precise. You hear allot from folks saying the non bent ones work fine. Uh, that is from folks who don't have the bent ones!

China also grinds, but going into 3rd. I think I have a broken synchro. You will learn to delay the shift a half second to let the spinning in there slow down a bit [I think] and then it just slides right in. It will get to where it never grinds unless you just forget or hurry the shift. Usually you won't forget. I even used to delay the 2-3 shift in the Squash just out of habit.....

[missing the Squash already!]

Get it legal and then get to driving!!
Oh, and I agree with the above. I bet the ignition and the doors now require different keys. Good thing you know the seller and can ask if you didn't receive all the keys.

Chad300tdt · #37 01-10-2009, 12:23 PM

Inspired by this thread I went to look at a 1981 240D Euro last night. I was completely expecting to drive it home, but it turned out to be one of the worst w123s I've ever looked at. It was badly rusted, poorly maintained and had every type of leak you could imagine on one of these cars. The seller assured me over the phone that it was "lightly" rusted and was his daily driver.

I was very sad that I had to pass on a GREEN manual trans 123.

Good luck with yours, I hope I can eventually find one too.

raslaje · #38 01-10-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

The guys at the DMV liked the car, and were impressed with the mileage. I told them I had another one with 250,000 miles on it, and how much I like old diesel Mercedes, and the one guy asked if I was married ... see ... men dig the 240D.
Some questions/problems I have already:
1-Either this car runs at 100 degrees Fahrenheit or my temp gauge is broken. Anything I should test/check for re: the gauge wiring?

Ut-oh now he's going to keep failing you so you have to come back.

New thermostat brought temp on my 300D down from 100 to 90 deg C.

Skippy · #39 01-10-2009, 10:27 PM

1. Bad sensor or bad ground. Possibly bad wiring-I forget whether that gauge pegs high or low when it gets no voltage signal.

3 and 4 are somewhat related. The engine will idle considerably more smoothly if you adjust the idle up or down in relation to how warmed up it is. I've never driven a diesel 124, but I'm guessing it's a lot smoother than a 616 at its smoothest.

5. I got my bent wrenches from Phil. They paid for themselves in a weekend.

kerry · #40 01-10-2009, 10:44 PM

Am I the only one that finds two radiator hoses attached to the thermostat housing odd?

JimmyL · #41 01-11-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Am I the only one that finds two radiator hoses attached to the thermostat housing odd?

Good observation there Kerry. I didn't really pay attention to that. Must be an early style. I wonder where that second hose goes......

BodhiBenz1987 · #42 01-11-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Good observation there Kerry. I didn't really pay attention to that. Must be an early style. I wonder where that second hose goes......

I'll have to check that out when I go down to the shop (once this Iggles game hits halftime) today ... having no comparison, it didn't strike me as odd. I'll let you guys know where the hose goes.

Thanks for all the input so far guys ... very helpful as I enter the brave new/old world of 240Ds.

JimmyL · #43 01-11-2009, 10:55 PM

Here is a pic from a 1978 300D from Craigslist. Has the same thermostat housing setup.

Must just be an earlier style of coolant routing. Still interested to find out how it goes, especially since C's 240 has manual climate and that '78 300D has the evil servo......