introduction and a few questions 1979 240d 4spd manual and 1980 280ce euro. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DrewZ926 · #1 02-25-2014, 06:21 PM

just figured i'd introduce myself here. always had some newer mercedes but lately i've picked up a 79' 240d and 80' 280ce euro.

the 240d is a 4spd manual with everything being manual on it. It's in all around really great shape with absolutely no rust. Runs pretty well however it does have a few things going on.

- didn't smoke much at all when i picked it up, however after 2k miles it's started to blow blue smoke and run slightly rough. The glow plug light has popped on though when driving, so i'm guessing it's the glow plugs or just the relay? Sometimes the glow plug light won't come on unless you tap the steering wheel as well.

and no i'm not a fan of the painted grille or headlights..

and the 280ce. i'm not quite sure what to do with it honestly. it's a grey market euro with the 4spd manual. however, i'm confused by the vin numbers because they appear normal. (i was under the impression they were 8 digits). it's in pretty poor condition honestly. the trunk is rusted and coming through. the floors seem to be solid however there is some rust on the rocker panels. i wouldn't consider it a rust bucket, but it's not doing so well. Interior is in somewhat poor condition too. Oh.. and the engine has a knock/rattle coming from it. pretty sure its bottom end so the engine is probably dead

would anyone be upset if i parted it out and scrapped it??

steering wheel is usable and i'm curious if this was a factory option or just an aftermarket wheel. i'll probably put it in the 240d if it cleans up well.

one more for the road.

gatorblue92 · #2 02-25-2014, 06:44 PM

Nice cars! If you are serious about parting out the CE then I would swap over the lights, grille and bumpers to the 240D then part out the rest. There are some coupe specific parts that should make it worthwhile. I'm sure that the 4 speed would sell too.

The smoke on the 240D is a bit troubling. How is the oil level doing? Has the car been upgraded to the parallel style glow plugs? Its a bit hard to see in this picture but the squiggly wire that is between the fuel filter and power steering pump is the wire on the old style series plug. The parallel will be a normal wire.

DrewZ926 · #3 02-25-2014, 06:57 PM

The oil usage was normal the first 1k miles. I used about a quart ( i heard that was normal). The past 1k i've used about 2. I'm also leaking oil from the valve cover and the oil pan.. BAD. I plan on changing the oil soon so i'll go ahead and replace the gaskets.

it appears i have the old style plugs.

I will say i changed the fuel filters and my pre-filter already had dirt in it again in 50 miles. Like i said it was fine, no smoking on start up, and just a wee bit if i really wound it out. Now it's smoking slightly just cruising and stop and go. Just happened all of a sudden.

On the 280ce, that was my original plan. Once i got it running and heard the knock, i knew its fate.

gatorblue92 · #4 02-25-2014, 07:03 PM

When you have the valve cover off be sure to adjust the valves.

Mercedes Diesel Valve Adjustment Procedure

For the fuel I would treat the fuel with some biobor or other algae killer since it's likely you came across some bad fuel.

Deemo13 · #5 02-25-2014, 07:44 PM

That 280E is a cool car. If you were to part it out, I might have to make you an offer on a couple things.

If you decide to sell it, well, idk.

cooljjay · #6 02-26-2014, 12:03 AM

nice cars!

Lets see, i will take the trunk triangle, bumpers, headlights, steering wheel, burl wood trim pieces....oh I am getting ahead of myself

if I were you, I would keep the ce, drop in a diesel motor and drive the snot out of it. Seems to rare to part out...

t walgamuth · #7 02-26-2014, 06:02 AM

The 240 engine looks very clean. Get the oil changed sooner rather than later and put on new gaskets on the pan and valve cover and see where you are....I'd say.

charmalu · #8 02-26-2014, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The 240 engine looks very clean. Get the oil changed sooner rather than later and put on new gaskets on the pan and valve cover and see where you are....I'd say.

Tom, that is Gator`s car, look at the color compared to the first post.
He was showing the Squiggley wires. though only one is visually seen.

You are right, it is a clean engine.

Charlie

DrewZ926 · #9 02-28-2014, 12:16 AM

I'll probably start swapping everything from the 280 to my 240 tomorrow. So pretty much it'll look like a euro 280e. I'll see how it looks, if i'm not a fan of the headlights i'll just find some euro diesel lights later.

I do have a question regarding the headlight swap. i haven't looked at it, but i'm guessing the wiring is different. Is there a harness i need?

Oil wise i'm just going with a 15w 40 of whatever i can find (rotella most likely).

Deemo13 · #10 02-28-2014, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewZ926

I'll probably start swapping everything from the 280 to my 240 tomorrow. So pretty much it'll look like a euro 280e. I'll see how it looks, if i'm not a fan of the headlights i'll just find some euro diesel lights later.

I do have a question regarding the headlight swap. i haven't looked at it, but i'm guessing the wiring is different. Is there a harness i need?

Oil wise i'm just going with a 15w 40 of whatever i can find (rotella most likely).

I thought that your 280CE had a knock?

DrewZ926 · #11 02-28-2014, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deemo13

I thought that your 280CE had a knock?

it does. parts off the 280 are going on the 240.

Deemo13 · #12 02-28-2014, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewZ926

it does. parts off the 280 are going on the 240.

Oh my mistake, thought you were putting motor etc in there. If you're parting the 280CE I'd be interested in your cloth seats, dont really need the rear unless the rear from the coupe and sedan are the same (doubt it).

Also does anyone here know if the M110 has a heavier flywheel than my 240D does, the clutch too? More curious than anything.

t walgamuth · #13 02-28-2014, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Tom, that is Gator`s car, look at the color compared to the first post.
He was showing the Squiggley wires. though only one is visually seen.

You are right, it is a clean engine.

Charlie

Oops!

t walgamuth · #14 02-28-2014, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deemo13

Oh my mistake, thought you were putting motor etc in there. If you're parting the 280CE I'd be interested in your cloth seats, dont really need the rear unless the rear from the coupe and sedan are the same (doubt it).

Also does anyone here know if the M110 has a heavier flywheel than my 240D does, the clutch too? More curious than anything.

I Have a 280 fw. They're about 19#. Its for sale if you need one. The clutch is a half inch bigger than the diesel clutches. I have the pp and disc too.....lightly used.

gatorblue92 · #15 02-28-2014, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewZ926

I'll probably start swapping everything from the 280 to my 240 tomorrow. So pretty much it'll look like a euro 280e. I'll see how it looks, if i'm not a fan of the headlights i'll just find some euro diesel lights later.

I do have a question regarding the headlight swap. i haven't looked at it, but i'm guessing the wiring is different. Is there a harness i need?

Oil wise i'm just going with a 15w 40 of whatever i can find (rotella most likely).

The wiring is a bit different. Here is a thread with some of the different headlight designs over the W123 range.

Headlight thread - Mercedes-Benz Forum

Rotella T is perfect oil for that car. It takes approx 6 quarts.