SD fuel economy challenge - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mccauleybil · #31 05-02-2012, 09:09 PM

3/14/12 26.46 mpg
4/17/12 27.208 mpg
4/25/12 27.115 mpg
5/2/12 28.249 mpg

Just rolled over 300,000 (with no functioning doodle meter for 8 years)

otto huber · #32 05-02-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccauleybil

3/14/12 26.46 mpg
4/17/12 27.208 mpg
4/25/12 27.115 mpg
5/2/12 28.249 mpg

Just rolled over 300,000 (with no functioning doodle meter for 8 years)

Good numbers. How many miles on the current engine and tranny?

mccauleybil · #33 05-02-2012, 10:19 PM

I've no idea of the total miles (300,545lotus 8 years x 10,000 / year?).
Original engine, transmission. New front end steering and suspension, oil cooler lines, power steering lines, on my third alternator, a/c blows cool - not cold. New glow plugs every October, just removed resinators and need to do rear muffler. Leaky gasket between oil canister and block, wobbly turbo, etc....

otto huber · #34 05-03-2012, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccauleybil

I've no idea of the total miles (300,545lotus 8 years x 10,000 / year?).
Original engine, transmission. New front end steering and suspension, oil cooler lines, power steering lines, on my third alternator, a/c blows cool - not cold. New glow plugs every October, just removed resinators and need to do rear muffler. Leaky gasket between oil canister and block, wobbly turbo, etc....

Wow, didn't know that you could get anywhere close to 300,000 miles on those transmissions. I can't believe an engine that old is getting those mpg's. Congrats.

Hit Man X · #35 05-03-2012, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otto huber

Wow, didn't know that you could get anywhere close to 300,000 miles on those transmissions. I can't believe an engine that old is getting those mpg's. Congrats.

The 722 in my 300SEL is fully original and creeping on 300k, 288k now. Reverse is lazy and I need to tend to that sooner than later.

mccauleybil · #36 05-03-2012, 01:21 PM

Thanks, I guess!

Gotta admit your comments make me a bit more apprehensive about both the engine and tranny! Still planning on rebuilding the turbo and injectors this summer, and maybe start looking for new front seats...

pawoSD · #37 05-03-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otto huber

Wow, didn't know that you could get anywhere close to 300,000 miles on those transmissions. I can't believe an engine that old is getting those mpg's. Congrats.

284k on my 300SD's trans before the reverse blew and slowly took out the rest with it. (4th was very weak after reverse failed)

What I found in the pan after:

vstech · #38 05-18-2012, 10:06 PM

OK
some info for my 85 SD...

I filled it to the brim burped it 4 times at the pump, and have been driving it almost daily now... I've got 330 miles on the tank so far, and I've just passed the 1/2 mark on the gauge. I clocked the odometer on several sections of the highway and it's DEAD on!
(I replaced the odometer gears in it last year for the previous owner)
I figure it'll go another 150 or so miles before I get to the R. maybe 200 or so... not sure where the gauge falters in measurement, as I've not put this many miles on the car before. I think I'll toss a fuel jug in the car, and just drive it until it stalls. that way I can test if the Reserve light works, and I'll know how far I can go on this car.

however, there is a serious vibration in the car if I go over 65, so I'm keeping it around 60 max speed... that'll certainly offset my mileage!
the tires are all nearly bald, and they are old tires. (don't worry, I've got a good spare and a jack with me) that'll offset the mileage as well.
the vibration feels like out of balance tires, coupled with weak shocks.
zero handling issues, zero tracking issues...

should I go ahead and fill it to get an average MPG, or follow my plan?

Brian Carlton · #39 05-18-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

should I go ahead and fill it to get an average MPG, or follow my plan?

Follow your plan.

Running it down to less than 2 gallons yields the most accurate results.

Of course, per the rules, you've got nothing until you do it four times.

vstech · #40 05-18-2012, 10:20 PM

Hmm. I see in the rules you've set up, I need to clock the odometer against 20 miles of interstate... I'll get on that as well. I don't have any 20 mile runs around here... perhaps I'll hit the bypass on the way to the movies tomorrow...

I don't need to post the results of the one full tank until I've gone ahead and put 3 additional fills of a minimum 10 gallons each... so, I'll drive this until it chokes, add in the spare fuel to drive to the station... I'll use a 5 gallon tank with exactly 3 gallons in it as a backup. then I'll fill it at the station and record the miles.
then I'll drive to the 1/2 mark and fill 3 times, and record the miles.
sound good?
I'm LIKING the economy of this 85! my 82 was usually begging on R by 350 miles...
is it a 25 gallon tank?

Brian Carlton · #41 05-18-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I don't need to post the results of the one full tank until I've gone ahead and put 3 additional fills of a minimum 10 gallons each... so, I'll drive this until it chokes, add in the spare fuel to drive to the station... I'll use a 5 gallon tank with exactly 3 gallons in it as a backup. then I'll fill it at the station and record the miles.
then I'll drive to the 1/2 mark and fill 3 times, and record the miles.
sound good?
I'm LIKING the economy of this 85! my 82 was usually begging on R by 350 miles...
is it a 25 gallon tank?

You really don't need to run it until it dies. Anything above 15 gallons consumes enough fuel to give meaningful results if you fill it right to the top of the pipe.

If you drive conservatively, you can easily achieve 27-28. The real challenge is breaking 30 on four consecutive tanks. That's difficult and necessitates control of speed and elimination of a/c.

The tank holds 20.6 gallons with reserve.

vstech · #42 05-18-2012, 10:32 PM

oh, I want to run it until it dies, so I'll know where the tank runs out, and where the gauge works, and if the light works. I just got this car, and I like to know these things about my cars.

pawoSD · #43 05-18-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

oh, I want to run it until it dies, so I'll know where the tank runs out, and where the gauge works, and if the light works. I just got this car, and I like to know these things about my cars.

I've done it once, all highway it took 514.3 miles, then putt putt....slience.

Going 70mph with no engine is a weird experience.

(it was not intentional, it was on the return trip from buying the car, thats when we found out the fuel gauge did not work very well....)

Took about 22ish gallons to fill that time....

Brian Carlton · #44 05-18-2012, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

oh, I want to run it until it dies, so I'll know where the tank runs out, and where the gauge works, and if the light works. I just got this car, and I like to know these things about my cars.

Getting it primed in the dark on the side of the road is not a pleasure.............

It will tell you when it's just about out............no fuel in turns............no fuel on upgrades...........you'll have some available time............

vstech · #45 05-18-2012, 10:59 PM

yeah, I know. shouldn't be an issue... I've run the 87TD out SEVERAL times... of course it's a crank bleed system... and I'm always close to the station when it runs low, as I'm TRYING to get there...