The biggest factor effecting the MPG is the "loose nut" behind the steering wheel !!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Get rid of the automatic and inatall a manual transmission will increase milage.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Is the "Base Fuel Pressure" you mention, simply between the lift pump and the IP? Is this where you suggest mounting the liquid filled pressure gauge?

With talk of fuel quality:
Are there more or less BTUs by volume in Kerosene?

Perhaps running on a tank of higher quality fuel, although impractical for the long term, would shed light on the issue. Normal pump grade Dino and additives may help long term. (Assuming this isnt a maintenance issue)

Its an '82, so valve adjustment comes into play, what about other maintenance issues? Perhaps the brakes are dragging and wheel bearings are out of service? Differential service? Axle condition? Certainly tire pressure and proper alignment are of concern, but I would rule out the obvious first. Air filter? EGR clogging (if equipped ).

even motor and tranny Oils can effect efficiency.

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83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

Kerosene has less energy by volume, primarily because it is less dense than #2 diesel.

As per my very first, thread-starting post. It's a manual

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Cam
1982 240d

heh, my dad always said "best way to improve a tired vehicle is to jack up the horn button and slide a new car underneath"

OOOPS, I read that too, just forgot when I got down this far. The tired converter is slipping with age.

I took our 240 on a trip to Portland and got 28.xx mpg as I remember. tires are 195-70-14, pressure max as the imprint on side was says. valves adjusted, clean filters, syn-oil in trans & Diff. drove 60mph or so.

It`s a manual and 311k miles, no a/c.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

ahh, but is it a 5 SPEED?

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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!

Before you do anything too drastic....

Check your odometer error over a measured mile and then over 10 miles to see what kind of odometer error you have (if any). Then correct it when you calculate your mileage.

This is why..... My odometer error was 20% off when I got my car. I was constantly getting only 22 MPG and could not figure out why. Someone at some point swapped the speedo/odo and put one in the car that was not compatible with my rear end ratio.

Putting the correct speedo/odo in the car made the difference. Now the error is so small, it is not even worth calculating.

One of your odometer wheels/gears could be slipping too. Another common problem with these cars.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Yes that is the mounting area. Quick and dirty test. Close off the return line that comes off the injection pump return valve and take a spin with the car. No differance at all you certainly have problems. Big difference you still may have problems.

1) Check for proper tire inflation when tires are still cold, not hot. Cold, meaning first start of the day drive it the closest service station to check tire pressure, and hopefully they're not but a mile from home.

2) Unload any extra weight you might be carrying in the car. Barbells, bags of soil, etc.

3) Check for leaks.

4) You can boost the cetane with (?) Diesel Kleen (?). I forget the name of it. Seems like it's $6, and they claim it'll actually save you more than that, by way of increased mpg. I dump a few ounces in every few months.

5) Check your fuel filters, and air filters. If your car can't breathe, it's working a lot harder.

6) Stupid suggestion, but replace all your fuses. Old ones get pitted, causing increased resistance, and it takes fuel to run the electric.

7) How's the grease on your axles, etc.?

8) Fluids for transmission and transaxle, etc. I just put in synthetic transmission fluid, and Valvoline said I'd get an extra 4% mpg. I find that nearly impossible, but we'll see.

Good luck.