I just picked up a 1981 240D
 

This ought to be fun, I just bought this car for my kid to drive (learners permit coming in a few weeks). I'm sure I'll be here for advice, this looks like a great forum.

1981 240D, 4spd, 154,000 miles, original paint and interior, cruise, auto locks and a right side mirror. Of course I disabled the auto locks so I could shut the darn thing off...

Oh no, what have I done?

It's a sweet little car.

Bob

Looks to be near perfectly preserved!👍👍👍

Looks like a very decent example.

Ooooo I love red Mercedes.

Great looking car!! You may win the "best parent" award this year!!

I haven't really looked into it yet but I believe it's Orient Red over Parchment.

The car is incredibly well preserved, it's a pampered garage queen that runs and drives just as it should.

Looks like a great car. I did the same thing with my son for a starter car. A few lessons learned if I may:

- I recommend explaining to your child the difference in technique needed for driving. No ABS or traction control on this car. That caught my son by surprise in the rain and brought an untimely end to the car. Also even with the manual, it will be SLOW off the line. They will need to allow much more time and space to pull out in traffic, merge on the expressway (particularly uphill) or make a left turn across traffic. This is totally different than a modern car with a gasoline engine.

- I would recommend updating the instrument cluster with the tachometer from a 300D. It will help a new driver quantify the engine sound with how many RPMs are being produced. Also this car has no rev limiter since it is all mechanical. It has a governor in the injector pump but I would not rely on that for over rev protection.

- Remind your child about the gas station. An unleaded gasoline nozzle will fit the tank inlet. A tank load of gasoline is near fatal to the engine.

- And above all, have your child help you maintain and work on the car! It instills a sense of ownership and responsibility, and allows them to recognize issues that may occur while they are out driving and how to react. For example, ensure there are spare fuel filters and the tools to change them in the car, and show them how to change them on the side of the road.

This is good stuff, thank you. I will be putting her in Autoshop (just one semester) since I want her to do the brakes at least once.

I will consider the instrument cluster, a friend of mine has one with a tach that's mine for the asking.

I figure on the "Gas" thing, I'll give her a prepaid card and show her "THE ONLY" gas station and pump she's allowed to use. She probably won't be taking this old beauty out of town so spare parts she won't need for quite some time.

Interesting comment on the fuel filter... Is this something that needs regular attention? Fuel additives? I haven't had anything to do with a Diesel since the early '80's so I remember nearly nothing.

What I do remember is I worked at an Importer in about 1981, a 240D 4spd came in the store brand new (who know's why) but we all took turns driving it and laughing. I recall putting a stop watch on the car back then, 0-60 in 27 seconds (did it to this one and got 28 seconds). The slow part we have down!

Thanks for the advice

Looking good. I recently picked up an 81 240D myself, very similar mileage and condition.

Been curious about doing the clock/tach upgrade as well -does anyone know if the 81 240d is equipped with an EGR?

I would appreciate it if there is a VIN decoder on the site, I have not been able to locate it. A build sheet would be kind of cool to have.

WDBAB23A4BB231018 in case there is one here that the admins can point me at.

What an awesome looking vehicle! Congrats!

As far as the VIN goes:

Checking VIN for Mercedes-Benz | CARInfo


Don't get too excited with the SA 467 Electronic Locking Differential that will show up as an option on yours.
It seems Mercedes re-used some of the codes. On some Mercedes chassis 467 means Electronic Locking Differential, but on the W123 it means "Central Locking System and Instruments with English Lettering". :)

Good choice of first car. I recommend supplementing with some time at the go-kart track to learn and get used to end limit handling in a controlled environment.

I can't imagine what I would need a locking diff for in So. Cal. on this car!

Thanks

Too funny, I have that arranged already!

Wow, nice looking 240. I hope your Daughter appreciates this old W123 and baby`s it, and it will take care of her.

One nice thing about these W123`s, they don`t have blind spots like many newer cars. This will help keep her out of trouble as she is learning to negotiate her way through the busy highways in Southern Cal.

Incredable to see such a low mileage W123. The Spedo`s are known to slip, so the mileage may not be as indicated. Unless you got it from the original owner.
If you do have that problem, it is an easy fix.

The Tachometer for a 240D is fairly easy to install and get to work. Here is a DIY thread.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/198203-diy-tach-240d-w-egr-easy.html

The vacuum system on the 240D is pretty simple. You will need a Mity-Vac to chase down any leaks.
Near the Oil Filter housing you should see several different color vac lines.

Brown is fuel shut off.
Green for the one or two vac pods under the dash
Yellow is for the door lock system.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/160169-w123-vacuum-interlock-diagram.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=mercedes+w123+vacuum&biw=1093&bih=520&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwji_ZLXsajLAhVBko MKHRDcBzwQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=_


Take care of that old 240D and she will last you a long time.
I have an 80 for a DD, getting close to 387K miles on the original engine.

The next time Rollguy and his Bro have another GTG down in your area, my Wife :gorgeous: and I will be there.
Maybe we`ll meet up?

Welcome to the Forum. :) And your Daughter too. :gorgeous:

Charlie

...............

What I do remember is I worked at an Importer in about 1981, a 240D 4spd came in the store brand new (who know's why) but we all took turns driving it and laughing. I recall putting a stop watch on the car back then, 0-60 in 27 seconds (did it to this one and got 28 seconds). The slow part we have down!

Thanks for the advice[/QUOTE]

I had an 83 240D 4 spd that clocked 0-60 in 17 seconds. It had terminal rust, was unsafe to drive and was parted out.

Adjust the valves, check timing chain stretch and timing, clean tank strainer/ change fuel filters, Italian tuneup may bring 0-60 time down.

Beautiful car for a most likely beautiful daughter !

Congrats on this find.

Harbor Freight has the MityVac kit for $35 or so. Also pick up a panel removal kit ($8) as you will likely need to remove the door card on at least the driver's door.

Usually not too difficult to find the leak. Common trouble spots:
- leak in the rubber connectors between lines
- hose split at the door hinge due to the flexing - check driver door first, it gets opened the most
- leaking diaphragm in the lock mechanism

The link in sixto's post is very helpful to trace out the system. When it is working correctly, using the key in the driver's door locks or unlocks the entire car, including the fuel door and trunk.

Very nice. If only mine could have been in such great condition. I agree with pretty much everything that's been said by others, with the singular exception of the comments about the tach. I would not waste my time with it. A tachometer is the single most pointless piece of instrumentation in a car.

If you don't know how to drive a manual transmission car without one you shouldn't be driving in the first place.

- Peter.

Remember this car is for his Daughter, she is getting her drivers permit and this is going to be a learner car for her.

A Tach could give her a visual along with the sound of the engine w/o over reving it.

If you like me have been driving a stick for over 50 years, then ya we pretty much have nailed down.

A Tach is cool to have. :D


Charlie

The vast majority of people on the planet have been driving manual transmission cars for most of the automobiles history and they never had tach's. Only in the US did most people since the 60's drive auto's and even on Mercedes Tach's only started to be included with the 116 and 107's. Even the 108's etc didn't have them.

They might be a "cool" feature but unless you are on a racing track they are as irellvant as a heater in Phoenix and AC in Alaska.

- Peter.

Actually I'll go further. As I drive my 240D stick in Phoenix as one of my daily drivers, the other being my 2000 Sonoma, also a stick, the technique with the 240D is simple. You slam the acellerator to the firewall in 1st, 2nd and 3rd until you reach about 40 - 45 mph. Any lighter on the pedal and eventually you're going to get hit from behind. Once you reach 40 to 45 you can ease up on the pedal.

I'd suggest that especially for a learner looking at what a tach is doing instead of what's going on around them is going to lead to disaster sooner rather than later. If you really think you need to look at an instrument to tell you when to shift the speedometer has markings on it to indicate what speed not to exceed in various gears.

But once again, this is pointless. A couple of trips in a car is all it takes even for a novice to get a feel of engine/vehicle speed in relation to shifting.

- Peter.

I don't understand the anti tach responses, I prefer to have as much info as possible.

A tach is nice to have, but not really needed on a 240D. They give you the dots on the speedometer for a reason.

My other vehicle has shift lights in addition to a tach. This is good for keeping your eyes on the road while slightly exceeding the posted limit. Not much of a concern in a 240.

Some folks are not big on "tacti-cool"... oops wrong forum..:D

^lol

Lots of good input here, I made an appointment to put her in the shop on Tuesday to see if I can clear up a few things.

Very NICE car ! You did very well! Oh, btw, welcome to the forum! Anything you need to do to it has already been well documented on this forum.

Great car...Nice example of a W123

while I LOVE a tach, I agree, it's not needed on a diesel ESPECIALLY for a beginner driver I think... they REALLY need to use their ears for gear change, and their EYES for road signs, and traffic!

funny, when I read the first post, my first thought was of Jay_Bob and his son's first car (that ended up being Greezer's project car we stuffed Twagalmuth's euro engine and 5speed trans into... after replacing all the bent hardware from the curbside service...)

anyway ! WELCOME to the forum, and be sure and get your daughter on here with questions about the car!

I think the most important lesson for a new driver is watching OTHER DRIVERS on the road! knowing what they are doing, and what they are likely to do.

once I learned to see all three mirrors while driving and watching as far ahead as possible, I became a far better driver.

sure learning the signs and the pavement marking is needed, but defensive driving is critical.

the car is slow, but it's HEAVY too, and sudden wet pavement can really throw off the cornering ability of the car.

if the car has steel wheels, find a set of the 5.5" aluminum rims designed for the car. it'll SERIOUSLY make it a safer and better handling car. (I've got a set if you need them)
the way to tell is pull off the hubcaps, and look at the circle surrounding the lug area. if it's all black, they are steel, if they have a broken white/silver line on it, they are aluminum.

Looks like a very nice car. I've had over a dozen having five kids I taught them all to drive in a 240D (IIRC), great handling, brakes and ride. And imho a tach in a 240d is a total waste of time. The 300 turbo is fast enough its fun to watch the tach spin up and down.

Telltale scratches on the edges of the rims aren't rusty, they look aluminum at a glance. I appreciate the offer though.

I have a few reasons for choosing a 240D manual for a first car:

1) It's really hard to text and shift.
2) It's really noisy in there, hard to be on the cell phone while you drive.
3) It's so damn slow you better be alert or you'll be run over.
4) It's a Panzer, if they wreck the other car has a problem.
5) And the car makes me laugh and smile when I drive it.

240D w/manual has always been on my short list for a great learner car. I've put nearly 1000 miles on it now, I'm finding I really like driving the car myself.

Careful now. A friend bought an E21 320i for his daughter and wound up keeping it for himself.

This very thought has crossed my mind.

Alaskan here...It does get up to the 90's in summer and the AC on both the Benz and the Mazda are out, making hot summer days quite unpleasant. At least the windows still roll down in both cars...

My first cars were stick and did not have a tach either, but my Mazda has a tach and it makes driving the stick a little more pleasant. Easier to keep the revs down when the engine is cold (I try to not go over 2k for the first 5 minutes) and when flooring the damn thing I can shift exactly at the point where the rev-limiter cuts in, which is slightly above red line. Powerrrrrrrr!:rolleyes:

For a beginner that grew up in automatic cars, I'd say at tach would be nice to have. Not necessary, but nice.

Well, I got the car out of the shop today so there's good and not so good. No new brakes as indicated (5,000 miles remaining) not a big deal. Door locks fixed for $79, fuel leak found that was barely a leak and fixed. Dash lights have various causes, still not working. Cruise, no luck there but who cares? The AC compressor has a slight leak but r134a is cheap. Overall the condition is excellent other than that. Not bad for a 35 year old car.

we can help you with most of that stuff.

the dash lights are most likely the adjustment knob. it's a resistor coil in a porcelain case, and it is usually broken. most just solder a wire around it and get full brightness all the time(that's pretty dim...)

the cruise could be the amp (contact jamesdean) or it could be the actuator, or a vacuum mess if it's the older style.
the ac is designed to leak, so it may be normal. you may need new lines, and a ton of cleaning of coils to get it working well... TONS here on that... the 123 is NOT suited for R134, so changing to 12 will get you better performance, as will compressor change, condenser change etc...

Unfortunately the dash lights are deeper than the resistor coil, next time the car is in the shop for an oil change he will continue chasing that item.

The upside is the AC works great, I had the car in 93° Weather last week and it kept me nice and cool. R134a is cheap, I'll just keep recharging it until it becomes a big leak. It's a leaky front seal on the compressor.

Be a good time to up grade to a Sanden Compressor.
Rollguy has the mounting brackets, compressor and hoses as a kit.
More reliable and uses less HP.

Charlie

👍👍👍👍 Good advise! :yes:

I did this conversion last year on my 1977 300D (non-turbo) and it is a great upgrade!! Rollguy is great to deal with and has good prices.

Good luck and enjoy!!

First I'm going to disagree that the manual is slooow. Maybe slow. So, check the accelerator linkage. I think there were a few different styles. On mine there were two square plastic inserts, with a square hole in them. They were gone. Also, the pivot up on the fire wall. I could get mine to do 55 mph on the test drive. I bought it and replaced these parts. Not screamer, but does OK. A bit slower acceleration than a Ford Contour with the 2.0. Faster than a '97 Dodge Neon with the 2.0 SOHC.
The 4 spd is one of the nicer shifting manuals. So good for a beginner. Not as twitchy as others. Still, adds one more thing to think about.

It's got 62hp, I'm pretty sure it's not fast. :-)

I did have it going just a bit over 80 on the freeway today though.

Looks like a great 1st car. When she does the brakes, it's a good idea to replace the rubber brake lines. They are not that expensive and the ones on an old car are usually beyond their safe life span. Don