Had to get it on the road to see what else needs attention, let the '95 go away, I think that this one is the right keeper of the fleet (for now).

Drove 435miles this weekend, most of it freeway @ 74mph.

Stuck in an extended traffic jamb/accident in Kalamazoo yesterday afternoon, 90F in the air, hotter on the asphalt idling/creeping, engine temp stayed between 85C and 90C on the gauge, fans never kicked on. Running on the freeway, gauge stayed glued at 85C.

Fuel mileage wasn't impressive at 28.7 round-trip, but this is with the fatter 225 x 16 Michelins, a pretty full load, sunroof open, dog nose out the window, and a pretty fair gusty wind from varying directions along my travels. I think I'll be able to get 32mpg or so if I drive nicer on a low-wind day. Still needs the nozzles and IP tuned-up so that will make it better, but unfortunately the bigger turbo and bigger IP will probably go on at the same time so, ... I doubt I'll get much better mileage.

Belle tracked beautifully, on rutted lanes and in the gusty wind. I guess that the new links etc. in the suspension were worth it as were the new spheres and big tires/wheels. That thing sure stays planted.

The German Shepherd Dog fuzzed up the interior, had to have her window open, so it's a good thing I haven't detailed the interior yet. Love those folding seats (so does she). I guess I won't need to brush her this week (extra fur gone).

Saw a really nice emerald-green SD in Grand Rapids, "HI" if you're on here. Three (that I've seen) 123 TDs here in town too, two white and one red.

I think (we'll see) that I'm going to stay with one M-B for a while. Driving Belle this weekend is not as crisp as the big power in the gassers, or the faster-steering in the late models, and I do miss the subwoofers, ... but there's something really special about the car (after a couple-hundred hours' work and a couple-thousand $$ parts so far), time to move forward and complete the project.

One odd thing: Re-setting the trip odometer at the "gas" station this morning, now it only clicks and won't register. I tried pushing the reset multiple times to get it to un-stick, but no joy. The main odometer is running fine, registering miles (turned over 200K yesterday!!), just the trip odometer. Any advice or quick-fixes? Yes I reset it while I was parked.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Scratch the trip-odometer problem, a couple of button presses and it's keeping up with the regular odometer again.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

heh, good ol Trip Reset. my tripmeter does not work. I just repaired the Mileage side of it. I'll eventually find a replacement. Glad you got your TD(T) workin again!

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Yeah, yours is next to hit the road.

Mine will likely be in/out of service for a while, many changes yet to be made. The important part is that it makes me smile, so it must be worth the effort. I think I'll be using it as a daily driver this summer (liking it that much).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Mine... will be on the road again today... but not complete...and prolly not safe lol

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Mine does that occasionally. I just keep pushing the button (not while driving) until it resets properly. Some little ratchet is not engaging correctly is my guess.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

waaah... I wanna get my 87 TD on the road!!! I need $$$ for the upgrades it needs... wanna change the belt tensioner and the VP...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Mine has done the same thing a couple times. I've used the same fix as Jeremy.

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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

Upper 20s is typical highway mileage for an '87TD wagon. Mine just barely broke 30 a few times, and that was under ideal conditions (flat west Texas, no a/c, no wind, steady 70MPH...). Never even close to 32MPG, I think you are dreaming. The EPA rating was 27 highway, FWIW.

I'm not dreaming, merely scheming. My '87 300D sedans usually got me into low 30s with regular use, the wagon is only .01 different Cg IIRC.

From wind drag and rolling resistance changes alone, I should save roughly 30% dropping to 60mph from 74. Add a belly pan, balance the injectors, run the rack in the IP, I'm pretty sure I'll break 30mpg at 74mph.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff