1995 E300D, my first car needs help and a nickname
 

I picked up this 1995 E300D SE, 127k mi, for $3700. Knowing little about MB Diesels, I jumped at the chance and have no regrets. I'm giving the car a lot of attention trying to do stock 100k+ miles stuff.

So far, I've had the clogged master cyclinder, brakes, rotors, bushings, oil & o-rings done. I'm now getting to the other issue, shifting. It shifts hard between 2nd & 3rd with a distinct metal thunk from the rear. The oil change and o-rings actually improved it. From what little I understand I need to have the vacuum lines and transmission cable adjusted. Also doing a diesel purge for the injectors.

Other symptoms, white smoke and high revs on cold starts & I can't get the cruise to work (not even sure how, hold for 2s?) What else would you suggest I inspect and replace to keep this stallion going till 400k mi. Lastly, is a nickname bestowed or imagined?

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/876/dsc2751j.jpg

All my cars' nicknames were bestowed.

Since you called it a stallion, I suggest "Cochise". That was the name of the white and black horse on Bonanza.:D

Looks good.

However you name it, becomes official.

If you change wheels, I might be interested in your Bellos.

The clank in the rear might be a bad flex-disk.

I'd call it; 'the white car.'

I don't name my vehicles, they're both 'trucks' because of their diesel engines.

If you don't personify your vehicle, how can you have a meaningful dialog with it when you want it to conform to your will?:D

Nice car! And nice wheels too! Welcome to the forum :) This forum is great for both the DIY kind of owner or the not so mechanically inclined, but who wants to know what's going on with his / her car before getting nailed by their local mechanic... You'll love it :D

Hard shift could be lack of vacuum, which can be tested at the modulator on the side of the tranny with a Mity-Vac. I believe the vacuum at the pump should register 21" Hg, whereas a measurement of the line where it attaches to the modulator should get you something like 18" Hg - might want to double check those numbers. Line running to the modulator can be found by crawling under the car and looking on the driver's side (U.S.) - the black vac line will be coming down from the engine bay. Disconnect at modulator fitting and attach MityVac to vac line - start the engine and see what you get. You can also test the modulator by attaching the MityVac to the modulator fitting and pulling vaccum to see if it holds.

Another possibility . . . there was a recent thread on clunking in the rear of a '95 during shifts which was the result of worn out differential mounts. Can't seem to locate that one right now, but it had good pics. If I find it I will post a link here.

Oh, here it is . . .

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/283861-1995-e300d-clunking.html?highlight=differential+mount



And regarding the naming - I would suggest something like "Dirty White Boy" Just like the Foreigner song, as seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDJPyW-gsRo

You could blast the song from your ride and that would be pretty awesome! :musicband

Jaws, after a famous Great White.

Welcome to the forum.
Great looking car !!
There are plenty of threads about hard shifting transmissions. Do a search & save yourself trying to "reinvent the wheel".

Good luck with "white car" !! :D

Perhaps Vanna (White).

A loud clunk from the rear when shifting could be the differential bushings. :)

Barry? does the car have a deep rumble of a voice?
does the car feel sexy to ya?

welcome to the forum!

"nickname"

"E300D"

That pretty much says everything...

Nice car!!

Edit:

Maybe: "Wrong Wheels" or "Droopy Wiper"?

Personally, I like the Bello wheels on a 124, have a set myself. Mine are 8x16s though, these look like 17s.

Others like the CLK wheels, some like the plastic hubcaps, even the OE 8-holes aren't bad albeit a bit pedestrian looking in 6.5x15.