I just checked and I did get a response via email from Stretch. He is simply very busy right now, but hopes to check in within a week or so.

He said he misses Jooseppi most of all. Haha, just kidding about the last part.

__________________
1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

I think Greg just got tired of it. He is a great guy. he once called me on the phone to give me a hard time about some mistake I posted about that I had done. I miss him.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

HA!

Glad he is just busy. Maybe he is just working on putting his 300D back together

Oh good .
Liar.
OK, that's more like it .

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Leathermang is taking a break from here for a while. Stretch....don't know. I thought he only changed his call sign once....from Army to Stretch?

Unlike the rest of us, he actually goes outside and installed bushings in the rain.

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

Okay, putting that into perspective, by the standards of most of us, Stretch is probably busy all the time. If he is too busy to log on here, then he is REALLY REALLY busy.

He puts a staggering amount of work into the DIYs he posts: research, the actual repair, the excellent photography and the concise writing.

If he could do tech drawings as well, and were so inclined, he could be the Mercedes world successor to Muir, the guy who wrote and illustrated those great VW repair manuals back in the 1970s and 1980s.

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________


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

Man, if someone did a "Muir"style book for the w123, i think that would be a hit. That would have to be a labor of love, cause all of those hand drawings, had to have been a pain.

A W123 book like our host did for the 911(101 Projects for your Porsche 911) would be well recieved.

I guess I'm just old fashioned about repair manuals. I like to read them, whether I'm trying to fix something or not. I can find whatever info I'm looking for on the net but I still like having the books.

Dude you are too funny. You can change it now (again).....Rich

__________________

All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

Thanks for the concern folks.

I've been busy doing a bit of kung fu fighting with the little d (divorce). To bastardise Dickens =>

It was probably best to stay away as I wouldn't have been able make a positive contribution to the forum.

If I pop off the radar again it will be for the same reason.

Thanks again for the concern - as said above - great community here.

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Good luck, mate.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

Stretch, hang in there as rough as the ride gets, it should smooth out eventually. If you have ever been on a ship in a Typhoon, it`s hard to imagine smooth water anywhere.

When I was going through this years ago. I use to say "This is the screwin Iam getting for the screwin I got".

I refer to mine as "The Big WOW". The Witch of Watsonville.


So when we don`t see you once in a while, we know you are Duckin for cover.


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Hey Charlie,

That's where I was born and raised - Watsonville hospital all the way through a few years at UCSC. Then I moved.

Small world.

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Best of luck, Stretch. Been thru this twice and married to ME for almost 23 years. Remember with the Ex that you once loved her and things changed - you don't have to hate her. I call #2 every year on her birthday and I still care about her a lot. NO WAY could I live with her but (as I once told the Shrink) I really miss the relationship I wish we had. She may hate you but it'll be healthier for you if just let that go. Not easy.......

And we DO miss you on here. Lick your wounds and come back!

Dan

I am sorry to hear that you are going through a divorce.

I hope if you have kids that you and your wife make it as easy as possible on them.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".