Alright, so the wife was back in Chicago and, on some sort of crazy whim, decided to buy an 82 240D auto in nice shape w/160,000 for $1700.

Upon returning with her prize she noted that the odometer was stuck, the car would not go in reverse, and shifted hard into 2nd. Otherwise a diesel mechanic back there that I trust said the rest of the car was great. Best interior and cleanest engine compartment he's seen in a while, whatever that's worth (hopefully $1700).

So after consulting a good MB mechanic, your website, and a divorce attorney, I'm starting to get excited about these cars. The vacuum tube threads are entertaining, I can do a lot with duct tape and BB's, and the sheer simplicity of the car is very appealing.

I'm going to be picking the car up in Chicago and transporting my long lost brother and his dog back to Eureka, Ca.

From what I've gleaned from your Forum, the car might need some adjustment to the vacuum tubes that control the trans and possibly the adjustable reverse band? If it's more than that I'll be facing paying some random shop in Nebraska for a new transmission.

Does anybody know a trusted knowledgeable mech between Chicago and Cali? (I remember somebody mentioning a guy in Des Moines) Is there a list of recommended shops nationwide? Also, is anybody on here based in N. California? I'm probably gonna need help with this thing when it gets here (no MB dealers for 4hrs in any direction). Looking for parts cars too I guess.

Yours,
mike in CA

First of all, I think you married the right woman.

Second, if you do end up needing a guy in Nebraska, I would recommend Ed Cordell's European Auto in Elkhorn, NE (just outside of Omaha)

Finally, the transmission shifting in the 240D is controlled by vacuum only (no cable of any kind). The vacuum line going to the tranny is connected to the vacuum switch of sorts on top of the valve cover. That switch is prone to leaking, or the line may be disconnected, find it and trace it from the tranny to the vacuum switch.

Reverse is another story, I hope someone else jumps in with their ideas about that...

__________________

'82 300D (project)
'46 Willys (project)
"Nothing seems to be the way it should in this garage." -jt20
"Smarter than an engine, dumber than a hoodlatch..." -jt20
"Start jumping up and down to smoosh down those engine mounts" -DeliveryValve
"no" -kerry
"At this rate, you may have it done by winter" -layback40

I would strongly suggest you NOT park in a spot where you "need" reverse. If you get divorced, you probably won't get the Mercedes cars.

Good Luck on your journey.

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

First of all: Konstan is quite correct. And apparently nobody wants to listen to me ***** about how my wife buys a classic car on a whim. Makes sense, I'll stop.

Second. I'm going to be using vacation time that I don't really have to pull this off (poor me gets to take a road trip) so I don't think I'll have time to buy this car a drink first. I'll need a mech to fix this or give me the bad news. I've gotten the impression that there is some sort of qualification certificate or something that I should ask for. Is there something specific the mech should have for this series of MB? Something to do with the vacuum system? Any elaboration is appreciated.

Third: Apparantly this car came with a pile of books associated with it. As luck would have it they are all in Illinois whilst I languish here in Cali. Does an 82 240D Auto trans have the "reverse band adjustment" of popular diesel forum lore?

hmm. I would have thought by 82 the bowden cable was standard on all the mb's... not so?
I only have a 78 and an 84 Euro 5speed manual, so I have no evidence on the transmissions. the reverse band adjustment is on the 116 transmissions, so I'd bet on yours not having one.
look on the IP linkage plate, and see if a cable with a bellows on it attaches there and heads for the transmission. if it's there, you have a bowden cable shifted model... if so, reverse being out is gonna need parts I bet.
just pull the transmission out, and drop in a 4 speed and pedals... simpler to fix and better economy, and drivability.

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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!

My 82 auto 240 has no Bowden cable

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

-voice of doom warning-

What is your daily driver?

If I were you, I would get a tow dolly, drive out there, check the rear wheel bearings on the 240, drive the 240 up on the dolly, disconnect the driveshaft, and tow it home.

Then I would repair the problem with the transmission at my leisure, rather than take a known questionable transmission over the rockies in an unknown vehicle.

There is nothing like a fun road trip in an untested car, but a transmission issue is only the beginning of all the little things that could be wrong with an older vehicle. Might be easy to fix, but better to find that out at your house or nearby than on a grade in heavy traffic 100 miles from anywhere.

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Thanks guys. I'll be shadowed by my bro in his 4runner so worst comes to worse we'll go with the tow dolly option.

So, an amazing story:

I picked up a "parts" car in San Raphael yesterday.

The add said it had some front end damage but drive train was good so I headed down there with low expectations (asking price was $500).

Turns out it's frigging mint, inside and out, being sold by an old german fellow who brought it over from the old country in 1978! Not a speck of rust anywhere, starts, everything works, 4 speed manual trans, even has the original MB first aid kit! So, all it needs is a new grill, crosspiece, hood, fender, and coolent system!

I'm not sure at this point which car will be the "parts" car.

You've got maybe one chance to turn back before you go down the rabbit hole.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

And then there were two...

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'98 E300 Turbo "Juliette"
'85 Federal 300TD

No coolant? Isn't there something about the cheapest cars being the most expensive?

probably just the radiator from the other damage. Still, the parts car he describes sounds like quite a deal at 500 bucks. Original owner euro 4-speed? Id fix that up and use the wifeys car for parts.

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

$1700 is expensive for a parts car. Buy another parts car to keep them both going.

Then there were three...

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mjk

'84 300SD 119KMi (Liesl der Diesel)
'84 300D 326KMi when the oil left (former parts car)
'82 300SD 253KMi (new parts car)

First . . . go with the dolly . . . . hunting for one of those 100 miles from no-where with a siezed up something or other, will not be fun and will be very expensive . . . . IMHO (am a long-haul trucker). Second, the tranny issue sounds ominous. I would get it home, and you're probably looking at a rebuild. I would either have it rebuilt with a nationwide warranty while it's still in Chicago area, or bring it home for same. Third, I would definitely fix up the "parts car." That way, you'll always have one running while the other is in the shop for an upgrade!!! Bet you'll wind up both driving MBZs . . . so . . . might wanna go for the third parts car to feed the first two. Also . . . shop around for that tranny work, especially for a rebuilder who is familiar and experienced with your model. Again . . . IMHO. If you were in SoCal . . . could recommend a shop for you, or in Florida, but sorry . . . you'll have to find the NorCal folks for the local stuff. But years ago, my 190D broke down while on my way to riverrafting and I coasted into a german auto-works with a thrown tensioner pulley. They had no problem getting me back on the road within a couple of hours and under a $100, so don't give up on the locals.

Also . . . don't forget, or get acquainted with the "800" Mercedes tech support line . . . they will explain things to a local mechanic and lead them through diags and adjustments, especially if you are in BFE (as when I lived in rural Montana).

Good luck, and enjoy belonging to a new club.

Torie

Torie

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

The radiator was smashed in the accident. Apparently he rear ended something with a towing hitch on it. The bumper and lights are fine but the grill, cross member/light housing frame, and hood are trashed.

Yes, I'm hooked. Down the rabbit hole and licked the mushroom yesterday! I'm looking at a couple of parts cars in the greater Humboldt area between $250 and $600.

How much (ballpark) am I looking at to rebuild the trans? And what model/year transmissions will work for an 82 240D if I found one? (i.e. will 300d trans fit in a 240d?)

I found a Wiki page for the 240D but it just mentions changes to the engine and not the trans.

You guys are awesome, thanks for the advice!