240d 1983 questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

katubma1 · #1 07-27-2009, 06:03 PM

Hello all. New to the forum. Thanks for all the great info. Trying to get some answers on a car I was looking to buy.

I've been considering buying a merc diesel to convert to run on Veggie oil, and then I found a girl selling an 83 240D that is already converted (at least partially). It has a heat exchanger under the hood along with a valve to switch over. She says she's just been dumping the oil directly into the tank with no issues. I thought they needed 2 tanks?? It's warm here (Vegas), so I'm sure it can run on SVO fine.

It also won't shut off (it 'diesels'). Is that a big fix? Vac leak probably? Speedo/odo doesn't work. odo reads 140k. She wants $800 for it. Is that a good deal?

Thanks
Kat

bill murrow · #2 07-27-2009, 07:40 PM

I know a guy who has been running a 240 on WVO in hot weather, pouring it directly into the tank with no mods, for over 30K.

Running when shut off...correct...vacuum leak.

Rust is a major issue. If the car isn't too rusty, I'd say $800 is a fine deal. Of course there are those that will argue that point but it's just my honest opinion.

katubma1 · #3 07-27-2009, 07:55 PM

thanks. That's kinda what I thought. Good thing about Vegas is that there is really no rust issues on vehicles.

the tenor man · #4 07-27-2009, 08:23 PM

The 240D is probably one of the most reliable diesels available. They run forever and they don't have complex systems to troubleshoot. The engines can easily be rebuilt using new pressed-in steel sleeves which means no boring of the block. The head is cast iron so there will be no cracking issues.

The major inconvenience of this model is that they are slow. Even when new, these car accelerated slowly...0-60 in the 20-25 second range. You'll find that your foot goes to the floor every time you want to go forward. The top speed hovers around the 80-85 MPH.

They can be frustrating when trying to accelerate into fast moving traffic. Although you won't have the problem in Las Vegas, uphill freeway ramps can be frightening. Since you'll be running the air conditioning, expect performance to be affected.

I suggest that you drive this or any 240D to see if it fits your needs. My advice would be to look around and find a 300D Turbo in the W123 chassis. The acceleration is much better and it's a car that will at least do 100 mph.

Just my opinion,

Best regards and good luck!

The Tenor Man

bill murrow · #5 07-27-2009, 08:42 PM

Right you are Tenor Man. Zero to sixty in 3.5 DAYS.

But you'll get used to others blowing their horn at you to accelerate faster.

4 speeds are a bit quicker than an automatic.

I have both a 240 and a TD and must say the TD is way faster outta the hole. I know the TD will do at least 100 but don't know how much more. The 240 I've GPS'd @ 95 on the flats. Took a couple miles though...

Here in the east we do have rust issues so thats the first thing we look at here. Didn't notice you live in Las Vegas.

katubma1 · #6 07-27-2009, 09:53 PM

It is a 4 speed... Not really concerned about performance, mostly just trying to hedge against any coming increase in fuel prices... How much value is added by the heat exchanger for the veggie fuel and the few little mods that have been done to run veggie?

There is another person selling a 80 300D for $1k. 240k miles. A/C needs work. Is that a better alternative performance-wise?

Thanks again for the advise!

bill murrow · #7 07-27-2009, 10:03 PM

Don't know about value/veggie. My friend has zero mods....

And oh yeah...way better performance with the 300 without sacrificing much in the way of fuel economy. Expect 25 to 28 from the 300 although I've heard of some who get in the 22 range. Depends of course on terrain and the way you drive.

The 240 I've gotten as much as 33 but was going a steady 60MPH on flat ground. Most times with the hills around here I'm in the 25 to 28 range.

A/C is quite a common problem. Expect over $1000 to fix it. MAY not be that much...might just need a leak fixed and a charge.

matthias08 · #8 07-27-2009, 10:11 PM

I say, drive both the '83 240D, and the 300D... is the 300D a turbo?! or what year is it!?
I'm going to go look at an '82 300D here in Dayton tomorrow, little rust, looks really fixable... I'm actually going to post a thread about it... he was originally asking $1800, until a pre purchase inspection by another buyer had pointed rust in the floor, which seller was unaware of

... price fell accordingly.

rust is a BIG issue on these cars, and can hide...

I know, i've had it but if yours has been around the Vegas or similar area its whole life... should be set. ask for service records.

minor details, all things that can be searched here with the search feature

my opinion, the veggie parts, have value, as a part in a box... for me, it has no value on a car, Service records, I'd even throw in another $100 on top of agreed/asking price... but thats just me... once again, personal opinions.

I'm pleased with my 4 speed manual in my 240D, I've done 95 in it, took me a longggg time to get there.. but cruise at 75 or so when I'm forced to take it on the highway (comfortably)
I suggests snapping some photos, body, wheel wells, inside of trunk (including side wells) lift the carpet up (all the way around, as it just snaps in) try to get some underside shots, engine compartment etc... interior condition would also be a big $$$ factor

oh yea, you're in VEGAS, A/C?!
I wish you the very best in your hunting!
Matt

EDIT:
when you take those pictures, post them here, we can offer some opinion on visual condition...

matthias08 · #9 07-27-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill murrow

Don't know about value/veggie. My friend has zero mods....

And oh yeah...way better performance with the 300 without sacrificing much in the way of fuel economy. Expect 25 to 28 from the 300 although I've heard of some who get in the 22 range. Depends of course on terrain and the way you drive.

The 240 I've gotten as much as 33 but was going a steady 60MPH on flat ground. Most times with the hills around here I'm in the 25 to 28 range.

A/C is quite a common problem. Expect over $1000 to fix it. MAY not be that much...might just need a leak fixed and a charge.

X2

willjayc · #10 07-27-2009, 11:19 PM

I've owned two 240D's that both run on veggie over the last 5 years, and I've converted dozens more. They're great cars, I think my favourites of all time. They are quite slow though even with the standard but if you get good with it, and there's no big hills, it's pretty easy to keep up with most traffic. Just watch for the few very impatient drivers behind you at a green light that quickly get big in your rearview as they take off and almost run into the rear!

I have driven a few 300D's turbo and non turbo. I find the auto trans kinda sluggish and would argue that except for the top end speeds, the 240D manual, has similar pick up but maybe the ones I drove were in need of a tune up? Also found the milage on the 240D quite a bit better. Just my opinion.

As for the veg oil system, one tank systems are possible and quite reliable on these cars in warm climates. I even run them here in Ontario, Canada from April to October on one tank. The simplest reliable set up for a one tank system is:

1. a dedicated VO fitler that is coolant heated (don't rely on yoru stock filter, we get 10,000 to 15,000 miles out of our veg filters)

2. inline electric heater (for instant heat, no waiting for the engine to warm up) or a heat exchanger but it won't warm up until the engine is warm or both.

3. And I reccommend an electric fuel pump. It'll keep fuel suppled to your engine at high speeds or during colder weather and cold start up's and it'll make your filter last way longer. Also reduces the strain on your injection pump.

If you want any Veg Oil advice, I'd be glad to help. Or check out our website: www.veggiefuelsystems.ca

A note on the engine not shutting off, I've seen the shut off solenoids fail but most often it's a vacuum leak. Try disconnecting the door vacuum system, I've seen that problem before where they leak and there isn't enough vacuum to shut the engine off. Meanwhile the shutoff circuit is fine.

The speedo isn't often a big fix either, usually a gear spinning on the odo shaft. Check out this link:

http://www.dieselgiant.com/repairyourodometer.htm

Although I'd wonder how long ago the odo broke!

Will

JEBalles · #11 07-28-2009, 08:30 AM

SVO: oil and engine need to be at 80*C ideally. I'd still get the second tank, even in Vegas. Waste oil needs to be dehydrated and filtered down to at least 5 microns.

Mark DiSilvestro · #12 07-28-2009, 10:14 AM

Some points to ponder -

I'd consider a twin tank setup mandatory for operating in cold weather.
Some say that extended WVO operation will gum-up piston rings. Many have had problems with improper WVO system installation, WVO contamination and inadequate filtering.
In many areas, WVO is no longer free.

If you can live with the low power, a stick-shift 240D is your best option for reliabilty and simplicity of repairs.
All US-market 300D have the added complication of automatic tranny and automatic climate control. Don't expect a non-turbo 300D to be much quicker than a stick 240D unless it's a Euro stickshift or a conversion. Search the Forum for threads from those that have converted 300D to stick, using 240D parts. Last year I bought a rare '84 non-turbo Euro 300TD with factory 5-speed and manual heat/AC.

Turbo 300D performance is acceptable for most, but the turbo setup crowds the engine compartment, and can develop it's own maintenance/repair problems as they've aged.

Whatever diesel you're condsidering, make sure HOT oil-pressure is no less than 1/3 of the guage and climbs quikly to max on accelerating. I prefer min. hot oil pressure to be 1.5 - 2 bar or 20 - 30 psi - depending on what oil-guage dial-markings you have.

As always, look for Rust, Rust, Rust. Just because the car is in Vegas, doesn't mean it couldn't have spent several previous years in the Rust-Belt. And southwestern cars othen have well-baked interiors unless they've been garaged.

Happy Motoring, Mark

katubma1 · #13 07-28-2009, 05:40 PM

Thank you everyone for the help. Went and saw the 300d. Very clean. Guy said the person before him 'rebuilt' the motor. It's possible. All the vac lines are new. No leaks at all under the car (it's been sitting). It is much much cleaner than the 240d I was looking at.

Only problems are no a/c. He said the guy before him said it was just 'disconnected'. So, maybe just needs a charge or the compressor rebuilt. 3 of the windows don't work. Otherwise, the motor/engine compartment is very clean. Starts right up (& shuts off lol). Auto tranny, yes. I can probably get it for $800. 240k miles.

katubma1 · #14 07-28-2009, 05:41 PM

more pics

Mark DiSilvestro · #15 07-28-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katubma1

Thank you everyone for the help. Went and saw the 300d. Very clean. Guy said the person before him 'rebuilt' the motor. It's possible. All the vac lines are new. No leaks at all under the car (it's been sitting). It is much much cleaner than the 240d I was looking at.

Only problems are no a/c. He said the guy before him said it was just 'disconnected'. So, maybe just needs a charge or the compressor rebuilt. 3 of the windows don't work. Otherwise, the motor/engine compartment is very clean. Starts right up (& shuts off lol). Auto tranny, yes. I can probably get it for $800. 240k miles.

A dark car with no AC and non-working windows, in Vegas! Is the dash badly cracked under that fuzzy cover?
AC only needing a recharge is unlikely.

Happy Motoring, Mark