I drove it like normal. Got 22.3mpg this tank. Now I'm really upset!

I talked with Pierre and he said he wants to remove/clean/adjust the Alda valve so I got to get back by there for him to try this.

I listed the car for sale on Craigs list.

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

How hard is to to swap in a Manual transmission? Is there a 5spd that would fit?

The non-turbo 300D/TD was availible with manual tranny, including a 5-speed, outside North America. I have a Euro '84 300TD wth the factory 5-speed. It's no hotrod off the line, but it has noticebly better acceleration than my 4-speed stick-240D above 20 mph, with more relaxed engine revs on the highway, and I got around 30 mpg on a recent trip, with the AC going. I believe the factory 5-speed was not a common option where it was availible, so good luck finding one.
Here, most people planning a conversion use a 4-speed 240D donor, as that was the only manual-shift W123 model availible in the US. I've heard the job requires match-balancing the 240D clutch-flywheel to the 300D automatic-flexplate, changing the driveshaft length, installing the clutch pedal & hydraulics, and other mods to shift linkage, tranny mount etc....
That's why I opted to buy a Euro 5-speed TD when one came up for sale within 50 miles of my home. Also to avoid automatic climate control, which was a mandatory option on the North American 300D/TD.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

After 10 trips to the pump my mileage averages 23.5 mpg. I'm running average of 325 miles between fill ups with one tank going 388 miles before filling up.

I'm on my way to Piere's now......Hope I can improve this at least a lil.
Thanks guys!

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

With 200k+ miles, I would rebuild the injectors. I like to do this every 120k miles or so, just to maintain optimal performance. I buy replacement injector nozzles from kermatdi.com and then bring the injectors and the new nozzles to a local diesel engine shop. There they install and pop-test the new nozzles and shim them to the correct pop pressure. (You can rebuild them yourself, but without a pop-tester, they may not be set correctly).

Did this for my VW Passat TDI and also on the E300. In both cases, engine ran smoother, had more power, and better MPG's after rebuilding the injectors.

Also, WVO fuel will kill injectors more quickly, so if that's your thing, you'll need to rebuild them more often.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

Let me comment from my experience working on these for both the dealer and a private firm. I have never seen a 617 engine get better than 27 mpg....ever. That's not to say that it isn't possible, but 22-25 mpg is what I have always seen.

I agree, yours is low and others have offered dome great suggestions. best of luck...Robert

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership

I drive my 1978 300SD 110+ miles a day round trip to work. I am still running the 3.07:1 axle and have increased IP output (roughly around 7%) and almost 1.0 BaR of boost.

My mileage is routinely 26 to 27 mpg on a regular basis. I am planning a swap to a 2.47:1 axle (126 V8 Engine) in hopes of getting closer to 30 mpg...Robert

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership

Take a temperature scanner and read all the brake disks temperatures after a run. I do not know what optimum temperature is but mine are possibly too warm at 190 degrees after a run.

No my wheels are not hot. Yet there is more drag than I feel is acceptable. Funny thing is I do not remember what temperature they should be.

I do notice when I let off the gass it feels like there is drag (like brakes dragging) but when i pop it into neutral it seems to roll freely. I have noticed feather on the outside of the front tires. maybe I'm toed out on the alignment? Maybe causing additional drag?
Will get an alignment asap.

__________________

2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

My "other" car is a '96 Chevy 1500 pickup with a 350 V8. I can't tell you how happy I am to have my 300D and to average 25mpg with it. Recently on a trip between WI and St Louis I got 29.8 on the down leg. Thats the best I've ever managed.

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'83 300D (220000 miles and counting)

I just noticed that the tire shop set my pressures to 28psi, but the sidewall spec is 44psi cold. I increased my cold pressure to maximum and drove an entire tank of fuel through the car, keeping the engine rpm's consistently under 3000rpm.

The result??? 450 miles on 15.5 gallons (29 mpg) more than this car has ever recorded. If driving slower and keeping rpm under 3000 affords a 4mpg increase, I think a rear axle change would be worthwhile...Robert

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership

What you are feeling is normal operation with a non-lock up torque converter.

Outside edge wear is caused by a positive (toe in condition), among other things.

I wish you luck in improving your mileage in your 300D, the 22-23 you're getting seems a bit low. However, please keep in mind how much it's costing to get the thing running in the 24-25 mpg range. For a 25 mile commute one-way, you're looking at a 1.4 gallon difference per week if you get from 22 -> 25 mpg assuming 250 miles driven per week.

As for considering a 240D as an option for better fuel economy, I don't think you could realistically expect much more than 27-29 mpg from a 240D with a manual transmission. Better than what you're getting with your 300D right now, but not the 32 mpg you were expecting. If you're looking for more extreme mileage from a diesel sedan, I would agree with you that a VW TDI (like one of the older jetta's or passat's) would be a better target. Or even an old late 1980's jetta.

In any case, good luck and let us know how it turns out.

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Corey

'83 240D, 190kmi

My 85 Fed TD gets consistantly 21 MPG. Mostly city. Say 10% freeway. Never better. No smoke. Love the torquey low end in town. I NEVER
have tried to better the MPG. I drive for fun. Doing that in my Sunday car
results in about 10 MPG, so I'm happy with 21 MPG in the TD. Looks
as though someone tweaked the ALDA as the plastic cover is scraped
over the screw. I personally don't sweat a couple miles per gallon if the car feels fine.

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85 300TD FED-Daily
84 300SD-Wife's
86 XJS-Sunday
66 GMC-Work- Given to my stepson
83 BMW Airhead- Given to my stepson

Got the car aligned on Saturday. Drives great! The mechanic said the toe was WAY out. Now it feels great driving it!

I do not know what is up with my car. Filled up this last time(right before the alignment) and only got 19.3mpg . Mostly highway & interstate cruising at 70mph.
What the heck?

Lupin, I will look into the injector rebuild. Thanks!

I really enjoy driving the 300d and surprised how good it handles!
Corey you are correct in your assesment of what I'm actually gaining or saving per week but I drive double what you guessed(currently I drive right around 500 miles per week. Why can't I find a girlfriend that lives in town??). At that rate the difference is aprox $10/week or $520/yr. Heck $520 may cover the maint cost per year .

Please don't misunderstand I Love this lil car! I do not mean to sound like a winey lil beeeaaaacchhhh but the reason I bought this car was for a durable economical commuter.
Thanks again for your help and ideas!!

__________________

2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold