That engine compartment wants a proper detail.

Was this car on craigslist?

Mass airflow sensor???? where in the world does a 240D have a sensor like that? It's all mechanical.

Wish I had garage space. I'd like to pull the engine and rebuild it for fun but it needs that third pedal.

Yes & yes. May still be listed..?

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Instead of doing the mass air flow sensor. Actually if you can find one on a 240d share the secret location with us. First get the linkage adjusted as a two forty needs that lever on the injection pump to hit the end point. With the automatic even more so.

Really dirty air filter can create black but not white smoke. It can affect general performance if oil soaked and really dirty as well. Just taking the filter out and driving the car for a short distance tells you if it is was seriously obstructing.

Valve clearances should be checked. They may or may not need adjustment depending on past owners. If you have no ideal of when the fuel filters may have been changed should also be considered.

Do you know exactly why the last owner left the car with his mechanic? That information might be helpful. So far in general it does not sound like a totaled engine. It is time to try to identify the white smoke if still there in my opinion.

Must have been up late last night reading about MAFs. I did take a quick look earlier and when I saw I could practically stand inside my engine compartment, It pretty much hit me I was not going to find a MAF on this engine either. ...

So since I do not know how DIY linkage adjustment, and check my valve clearances, I am either going to have to take a cruise up to Windemere , FL
(Don) ...or take the car in soon to local indy shoppe...

I will try to pick up a new air filter tomorrow just cuz it needs it. Secondary fuel filter is clear and looks clean as new. Primary I have to check the folder of records / receipts I was given with the car to see if this was done recently. I know the car had only like 10,000 miles in the past 2 years.. If I dont see one done recent will get the fuel filters anyways....

This was po's wife's car to use as snowbird few months each winter in So. Florida. From some records they were servicing unfortunately at tire shoppes for a few things...so there could be important simple things that give me a fix w/o new engine or Reman. AFAIK they brought the car in to a local who said he was not capable of diagnosing the "issue " and he told them to go to this MB tech where they left the car. He never really did anything mechanically to diagnose other than give opinion of a blown head gasket and needs a new engine... So yes if I am lucky this "issue" may not be anything but 1 mechanic not knowing clogged injectors or valves and 2nd mechanic just wanting to sell them a new engine....

...Don what weekend is good for you..?

Austin

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Austin, I think you are like me in the beginning and don't mean to cause any sore feelings. I used to think if I can't do it, have a mechanic do it, especially if safety related... WRONG! Every mechanic I went to botched the job or something else. That is right, EVERYONE! I no longer trust mechanics except a couple where I know they have a track record, however they are not able to work on the Volkswagen which is the one being botched as too much of a classic or not local. Oh and one of the issues I had was a brake shoe which wasn't pinned! Luckily froze when I parked; would have not been fun if on the freeway! Point is, you would benefit from learning to do most if not all by yourself and the forum.

First off, get the oil analyzed by Blackstone Labs. That tell you right off whether the coolant did leak into the oil or still is (based on coolant level).

Second, change the fuel filters and the air filter; you can always put them back later if it does nothing and want to save money. My understanding filters can get plugged from lack of driving; my Volkswagen does.

Third, the linkage specifications are online or in the manual. I might even have them. It is really easy to adjust the linkage. One can be somewhat done without and is the one to the injection pump. On mine it is turned out two over stock for a bit more fuel. I do this right off the bat and see what happens. Just pop off the ball sockets, measure, and turn out/in as needed. What make even easier is pull all of them, apply Kroil, and soak in a pan. The Kroil will also help for smooth movement along with A.T.F.. Also taking out any fore-aft movement with 8mm washers as I did also might help, did for me.

Hope this helps!

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Adriel, no harm taken at all...I am all for learning to how to diy these things (although I have no idea of most anything you wrote in your last paragraph), I am mechanically inclined for the most part, and this is not my 1st diesel benz & I've worked a bit on others....& it feels alot better when you did even the small things yourself. I have time with this 240 so i'll do 1 thing at a time and see what progress I make..

( never heard of Blackstone labs.)

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Austin, what do you not understand? Most likely due to the fact I am super sleepy and past the time I should be in bed (after sunset).

Here: Blackstone Labs
I still need to send mine in. However, they quickly sent not one as requested, but two in one mailing then a third in another! I am doing it to check soot levels and know what is what, especially O.C.I..

I know you are almost an expert but even Elders should have continuing education.

One at a time is usually best as then you know how it changed the results. That is what I did when I was adjusting for better economy.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Before shot of what I am starting off with ...

all observations are appreciated.



..

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

First thing I notice is your glow plugs are not hooked up. Shockingly that the car starts, must have good compression. Must not have heat as the heater has been bypassed. Needs a new valve cover gasket so likely it never seen a valve adjustment. The firewall bushing for the linkage doesn't look right and I can't see the fork. I think you have a very neglect engine with a very poorly done engine swap.

__________________

Austin, the orignal 1983 240d linkage has a fork type assembley. This is alongside the manifold. There are two rubber sleeves on the forks. They can rot off and dissapear with time. See if yours are still there.

Fifty cent parts. Without them the linkage is impaired for movement and probably not really properly adjustable.

Austin, the first thing I see is an engine and its compartment that need cleaning. I see surface rust which be best to treat. I use phosphoric acid, either Kano Lab/Kroil's rust treatment (forgot the name) or concrete etcher/cleaner which is available about anywhere and was cheaper.

Second is the linkage as the other kind folks said. I just add what I said before: clean and lubricate.

Hope this helps!

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

OMG. I guess the glow plugs not hooked up is actual good news if that means the engine compression is very good. I thought the plugs were bad since I have to wait a good 12 seconds or so for the glow plug light to shut off. It does start up after the light goes off with a little acceleration..

I just finished going through repair records from PO.
The car now has 262,480 miles. working od.

As I am told the Engine was replaced with a used engine at 239,800 on 03/15/2005, I believe up at La Plata Motors up in Norwood, Mass. I am waiting to get the actual receipt for this from PO . I am sure he has it somewhere . He has a printout of alot of repair records. He kept things.

At 241,641 La Plata Motors replaced the valve cover gasket.

Again at 242,655 La PLata did oil change; topped off fluids, and says they replaced the valve cover gasket again. No charge the 2nd time.

Ar 242,859 they checked engine for oil leaks, ( I do not see any oil leaks under the car now. ) They replaced the front & rear main seals & oil filter base gasket. Replaced front transmission oil seal & oil pan gasket. Replaced transmission selector shaft seal. coolant flush & refill ..

Glow plugs were serviced & 1 replaced in Dec. 2010 so not many miles ago. No mileage on this receipt. Work "done" at Performance Cars of Pompano Beach. I need to know how to hook these up !

Thanks, Austin

.....

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

I am going to pull the car out of the garage and take a couple of pics of what I think you are referring to. I think they are there. Linkage seems pretty greasy and loose on most connections.

..

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Cleaning will get done asap. It's been heavy rains here past 2 days and looking like more coming.. Just started again.

For rust I am using POR 15 . It is on my checklist.

..AA

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

My glow plugs have not fully worked since January but in our warm climate we really don't need it. If the engine is cold and in the garage I usually glow twice. Also, synthetic engine oil helps because easier for the engine to turn over. If the temperature is below about 60*F then I will plug in for no more than an hour. In sort, nothing to be scared of so if you ever have trouble know some tricks.

As for the glow light it isn't working properly if the glow plugs are not electrically connected. Also, they don't glow as long if one or more plugs does not have proper resistance. Bosch seems to have this issue which is why my plugs are not fully working (number five is basically dead).

I am not seeing a valve adjustment! I.I.R.C. every 10,000 miles. If they are not within specification you can have power loss because of valves not fully seating (clearance too tight) or not opening all the way (valves too loose). At least the cause is my understanding. I know on the Volkswagen she is sensitive about her valves especially since she has a whopping 64H.P..

I would at least clean around the valve cover and the top of the engine so that the junk doesn't somehow go into the valve train when you are doing the adjustment. I have been officially diagnosed with O.C.D. so can understand others not wanting their engine clean enough to cook on.

I looked in the manual and all it said was to install the electrical connectors... Real helpful, I know. Maybe it shows on the video?

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.