Absolutely DO NOT PUT an entire Quart of ATF in the tank. It will make your exhaust way too smoky, and may overheat your injectors (will also clean your injectors, which is good, but too much can force you to replace all your injectors). For a car your size, only 4 oz. is recommended. For upper cylinder lubrication, use Lucas, or 2-stroke outboard motor oil, which will also increase your mileage. 8 oz. is the max needed on that also.

__________________
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

Large selection of Fuel addetives - TDIClub Forums

Just curious about this smoking phenomena, folks. I filled up for the first time since September to take our fresh out of the body shop W115 home for the holidays.

At steady rpm on flat road, I didn't notice any smoke at all.

Uphills and accelerating the clacking noises picked up and I was leaving an embarrassingly long stream of thin grey smoke that went back 100 yds before it disbursed.

I've had my injectors pop tested and a reputable shop rolled in a new timing chain 600 miles ago. I'm not losing oil or coolant that I know of. Fuel economy is 25mpg on rolling WV highways with my foot on the floor for 3-4 mile grades at 5% or better.

__________________
1974 240D "Boldie" 170K.- New timing chain/freshly rebuilt IP/replaced valve seals/injectors/upgraded stereo/new Bilsteins with Yokohamas/fresh paint and rocker panels plus lots of welds.

This one can go for gasser owners, too, but I think most of us long time members know this. NEVER cheap out with parts of questionable quality or reputation. You may be trying to save a few bucks, but you'll end up paying more when you initially pay for the cheap part and then have to pay later for the superior part because your cheap part failed you prematurely.

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Furious over fuel LACK of quality and little or no supplier filteration.

.

Found this linked on a no start thread .

I've not noticed any smoking but SWMBO's '82 240D turned up with algae again recently , every time I fill up , I pop the hood and spotted the tell tale cloudy intake fuel screen right away , si I headed over to West Marine for a gallon jug of Startron by Starbrite , this has been doing it's job and killing & cleaning out the algae ithout need to take anything else apart .

Anytime I see anything in the clear plastic intake fuel screen , I begin dosing with Startron , 4 Oz. per fillup . until the screen remans clear for two tankfus .

No loss of fuel economy or power either .

X 10 on the Power ServiceCetane Bost , I only use it occasionally bcause I'm on a tight budget but the increase in both power and fuel economy is immediate .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I have switched stations and got most of my fuel economy back. I never had the performance or smoke issues (not any more so than other years on winter diesel).

Very, very surprised as the culprit was Shell. I would expect better from them.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

That's surprising, as they have one of the higher cetene levels.

Has anyone experienced bad fuel from Chevron? I've had very good luck with them as well as shell, in the past, and oddly enough, my 190D just loved diesel from Union 76, although all my gassers hated their gas!!!

__________________
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

Here in Los Angles , I've gotten seriously algae infested Diesel fuel from two different but close by stations and both were extremely high traffic stations with the usual HUGE oil slick at the pump island .

One on Imperial Highway West of Hawthone Bl. and the other on the corner of Rosecrans and Normandy .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Yesterday was hectic, there where too many calls.

Twenty where resolved simply by adding a cetane booster.


.

So what is the reason for this sudden decline in US diesel quality? I'm considering resuming MB Diesel ownership and don't really want to be stuck with junk fuel on top of the usual age related issues I'll have to face.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

You can always put a 200 gallon tank in your garage add a water separation filter, and you're good to go. Buying road fuel by the 200 gallon usually nets a savings vs 20 gallons at a time.

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

I have been using an additive in my diesels since 1986 every tank.
I use Racor. I use their Biocide and Conditioner +.
ADDITIVES - Parker
GREAT STUFF

__________________
82 300 TD, 215K, 06 Dmax LBZ 245K,
2015 VW TDI Golf Wagon 70K

YES, It happened to me twice!! the first time it took a while before i figured what it was. It was only slightly noticeable kinda like a pre-ignition ping in a gas powered car. The second time (At the SUNOCO on North US1 Melbourne Florida) It started running VERY poorly before i got 1/2 block away. Soooooo glad I only put in $10 to get me back to my regular fuel station.

I drained tank BOTH times and changed fuel filters. Runs like a top after that!

__________________

2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

It doesnt list the percentage of BD. Cant assume is 100% or 1%. That list seems to be inaccurate (surprise). I regularly purchase B5 (pathetic I know) in Winchester, Va at a large public station. BD used to be sold to the public a 1/4 mile from the Pentagon. Station has just been leveled but the above ground tanks are still there. No sign saying what it going on.

There is a fuel company in the tidewater region that will sell B100, but (previously) you'd get a much better price buying B99 or less. This company is also NOT listed.

I dont put much faith in that site given this info.



This is crazy.

__________________
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.