I saw an add for a California model of 1976 240D for sale in local paper. Since this is the famous great white north, what would this model need in order to be winter friendly here? Is this car worth a look at 1500 dollars?

Block heater is my first choice followed with proper fluids all around comes with out saying

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Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

A 25 year old diesel is not likely to be winter friendly, especially that far north.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Good point. I have found out the car has been stored for a year and half too. Car is running. If the compression could be taken , what should it be to indicate good condition for cold weather start

If it will start on it's own at 5 to 10 degrees (F) above zero (assuming 10Wxx oil), go for it. Since your winter temps will go well below that, you will need a heated garage (or block heater if outdoors). Even then, you will be on the edge of even winterized fuel jelling. California car is not likely to have a block heater. You will probably need to install one. I love diesels, but, realistically, having owned an old MB diesel in Michigan years ago, I can tell you that it is a real challenge to get one started on a cold winter morning. (Although I remember an old farmer who used to let his 220D run continuously from December to March).

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

A diesel in good condition should be relatively easy to start, unless the fuel is clouding or gelled. The other day, we had temps in the low teens here in North Central Texas. I got up that morning and started it just to see how it would do, as I'm still looking at the possibility of below specs compression as a possibility of the oil loss. Turned the key, let the glow light shut off, and then started. Fired up immediately, and ran smoothly. My car does not have a block heater either.

My recommendation would be to use the block heater if the car has it, as well as keep it in top condition mechanically. If the car you are contimplating does not have a block heater, install one. Use #1 diesel fuel if the winter conditions warrant it, and aid that fuel's lubricity with GOOD quality winter additives like the Power Service or Howes. I haven't seen this mentioned, but buy fuel from a single source if possible. This helps eliminate the possibility of buying bad fuel.

The real trick for the winter is to plumb in a heated circulating pump, that warms the entire cooling system and therefore the entire block. Generally you would put this on a timer so that it would turn on 1hr (or more) before you needed the car. An added benifit would be the cab would warm up faster.
As a side note, I knew a farmer who would fill a hub cap with kerosene, use a wad of t.p. as a wick, and stick the burning mass under his oil pan. Then he would go inside, have a cup of coffe, use some more t.p. and when he was ready, the warmed up diesel started, everytime!
Do not try this yourself unless you have great faith and are sure the flame will not damage and wires/plastic etc in the area.

$1500 for a 240D? Is it in relatively good shape? At that price I would be willing to buy it and bring it back to Surrey, BC...
I know how cold it gets in (or near) Calgary - I used to live in Winnipeg. You will definitely have cold-weather starting problems. At the very least, you will need a good block heater and use anti-gelling additives in the fuel. Ensure that valves are adjusted every 22 to 24000 km's.
Here in Surrey my 300D starts very well, but you get truly arctic weather there in January. The 240D would be a great car 9 months of the year, while you drive a disposable beater in the worst of winter.
$1500.00 - if it is nice and presentable I would buy it in a millisecond. That car would be worth more here.
Hmmm...I wonder...

Hey!!!! Ship it down here to the East Coast.

The last 240d I ran across down here lately was a 82, with 230,000 km for $8995. I think with this price the MB also came with a full tank of diesel!!

LOL

Aivars

Thank you so much for all the replies. The car has been in storage and apparently runs after a year and a half. It has been vandalised with a broken windshield, one less fog light and no radio. Still have to see it though and will let you interested parties know.

A windshield for that car is almost $650.00 plus the GST (Grab & Steal Tax, for you Americans unfamiliar with our taxation regime up here) but you lucky buggers in Alberta wont have to pay PST. (I wont tell you what that stands for). A Becker radio for it would be easy to find cheap at a wrecker, but why would you want to when aftermarket stereos are so much better and the car will probably never be a "collectors item" in our lifetime. Is the body rust free? What is the interior like? Does it run? Does it run well?
Seriously - at $1500 that might be a good car for you to drive or one you can flip for a few bucks. Look at it, be critical, and keep the rest of us posted.

AJB...I recall you posting us with details of the p.o.s. 240 that you went to see & the seller was asking big bux for it just cuz it had the pointed star on the hood. That is so typical; dreamers who think that their little diesel puddlejumper is as valuable as a 300SL just because of it being a Mercedes. But $1500 for a decent 240, assuming it IS decent, is worth a second look.

It's a bargain if it's in Canadian dollars. That's less than a grand in U.S. real currency!

First thing you should do is to take the surf board rack off

as adverse to our Canadian Peso?

Ducati: A great observation!! A friend of mine out here bought a 84 190d with mega high mileage for $2000 a few years ago. He let his spouse drive it to work & all her co-workers thought she had won the lottery since she was driving a Benz. LoL It is a funny place out here?!?!

Aivars