New project - 1976 Hanomag/Mercedes 206d van - Who knows about it?
 

Hi all,

I've picked up this 1976 206d campervan in slightly rough shape:
http://imgur.com/qQg32U6.jpg

Who has experience with these things?

I'm working on getting it started and drivable for now. It hasn't been running in about 10 years, but the engine turns over. It looks to be the OM615 engine, but I'm not sure the exact model of oil and fuel filters I need. I don't even see a fuel pre-filter installed. Next will be brakes, as they don't work - no resistance on the pedal.

I'll take some pictures of the engine + interior soon.

ian

Looks like a neat project. Keep us posted with details and pictures.

I'm pretty sure Kerry has a few of these. Hopefully he will see this and chime in.

I almost bought one of these but the chassis and body were too far gone. Plus, it did not have an OM615 engine plus TRANSAXLE in it, it had the old Hanomag motor made of unobtainium. Don't know if that transaxle has any other equivalent or relatives for parts.

There is a Hanomag forum that I belong to, but it is mostly in German.

Good luck on the car! Hope you got the one with the OM615 in it!
MB badged a certain number of those with a Hano power train, kinda like GM badge engineering.

Got a picture of the engine:
http://i.imgur.com/fX5fhnh.jpg

along with the number stamped on the exhaust manifold:
http://i.imgur.com/8bCpasI.jpg

Accessing the engine is a bit odd, with it sitting in between the driver and passenger seats. But from some images I've found online, it looks like I can remove the middle section of the cab behind the front bumper for better access.

I'd love it. My wife would shoot me. Perhaps my wife should shoot me ...if I bring more projects home...and don't finish the ones here already.

Well, it runs!
https://youtu.be/qwkJJf0zQ2U

(we were pretty excited as you can hear)

I'll be doing a valve adjustment and full fuel tank cleaning in the next couple weeks.

Amusing video.

That uneven idle is pretty bad though. Check the accelerator linkages.

I believe Kerry had one and has a lot of knowledge about them. Glad you got it running! Its very cool! the body looks fairly good.

My wife is getting about ready to I believe.

As a peace offering I sold my w116 and am trying to sell some of my non-car projects...

Of course I also just bought the stuff for a 4 speed swap into my grey car...

Anyway. Ian (invnsnt): That is a cool looking little van, and sounds good other than the loping idle, which shouldn't be a big deal to fix, I'd be excited too! Keep the pics and updates coming, I've never seen one of these before now!

On the topic of my earlier intention of cleaning the fuel tank:
When crawling under the van today I confirmed my suspicion that it has two fuel tanks -- one in the stock location in front of the rear axle, and one behind it. The filler neck has a Y fitting and connects to both. Without jacking it up, I can't really tell the layout of the fuel lines, so not sure if it pulls from both at the same time or if there's a valve somewhere. And have no idea which one the fuel gage measures. There are enough unlabeled switches in the cab for one to control a valve back there, though. The rear tank has a small leak - I think this happened when it got put on the flatbed - so I know that's empty, because its contents ended up all over the flatbed + driveway.

The uneven idle is usually the result of (air) leakage of the governor chamber.

With a new battery, I got the engine started up during the day. It shakes initially, but smoothes out nicely with a bit of pressure on the accelerator pedal, like in this video here. So I'm thinking the idle speed off throttle might be set too low? Will look into what you said, along with the accelerator linkage.

I've also got a video from the outside. I think next up will be brakes and clutch -- no pressure in the hydraulic system for either -- because it'd be great to at least pull the thing out of the garage under its own power!

Idle speed should be 700–800 rpm set with a warm engine (80ºC).

Before you should check the vacuum chamber of the governor, that should be air tight, otherwise your engine will be smokey and it will consume more diesel.

If the engine does not come up to maximum speed, the governor spring might have to be replaced. This happens sometimes if the engine has not been started for a long time and the governor is in the stop position.

Wow,I had no idea these existed.
That's so awesome.