My apologies to all. I'm truly sorry for speaking my mind. Sometimes, I just can't help myself. I grew up in a time where "free speech" was still accepted (as in the Bill of Rights) and in a family where "saying what was on your mind" was encouraged. All 4 of my grandparents were immigrants, BTW. In other words, you might not agree with something someone said, but, their right to say it was recognized and there was no "knee jerk" reaction to shut it down.
Of course, I realize this is no longer true in todays world. Again, my sincere apologies. I promise to "mind my manners" from here on in, on "the forum", and only post comments that are completely void of personal views and individual opinions. I'll never post anything that someone might find offensive or misconstrue as an "attack" on their views/beliefs. I also realize this same courtesy may not be extended to me, now. As for my '83 240D and me, we'd be lost without this wonderful source of information. Sorry for causing such anger and negativity....

My post was sincere. I'm sorry, but I don't know how to delete them. I was under the impression once posted, they couldn't be deleted.
If you would be so kind as to advise, I'll gladly delete the posts. (I'm not very good at "tech", but great at typing, taken in HS all girls! My ease and speed of keyboard work gets out in front of my brain a.k.a. better judgement)

Never mind...I figured it out. Didn't notice the "delete" feature 'til now. I guess the quotes, in other members posts, is a different story..... Just wondering, would you like me to also delete the post of my apology?
P.S. and not being sarcastic, but, it is definitely against the law to yell "FIRE" in a crowded theater. Not covered under "free speech".

If any member has a problem with the contents of another member's posting being out of line, contact a Forum Moderator by depressing the triangular icon outlined in red, in the upper right hand corner of that post. Let the Moderator deal with it.

Lambasting the member only drags it on for endless postings back and forth - as the previous number of posts indicate.




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What kind of oil you planning on using?

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Jim

Thanks for intervening with the "voice of reason"..... I agree. But, out of caution, didn't want to "add more fuel to the fire".

Wow, that car looks terrific ! .

My '82 base model (no options at all) 240D looked like that when first I bought it decades ago .

Your engine compartment looks terrific . I wash mine on a regular basis but it never looks that good .

I wish I had your red interior, that's fantastic .

As you've already discovered, repairs and service are dead simple and easy to do, some times you'll need a special tool like the two off set 14MM open end wrenches, they're available new but I found a set of home made ones works noticeably better as the home made ones are nested, unlike the factory ones .

Quiet valves are a serious sign of neglect ~ check and adjust them A.S.A.P. with the engine dead cold then re check them in 3,000 miles or so as they'll likely tighten up again, then you should be set for annual or 10,000 intervals .

The powder coated air cleaner can looks terrific .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Welcome to the club/cult.

The 240D is simply the greatest car ever built.

Keep us updated!

__________________
1981 240D 4sp manual. Ivory White.

brass sos pads will do wonders on the valve cover also.
and virtually any aluminum

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1977 240D auto w/OM616.916 engine
2005 Matrix 5spd
2006 Prius

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fused glass pendant http://fusedglasspendant.com

Well ;

I love my '82 240D more than any other Mercedes I've owned but the glacial speed isn't for everyone....

It's surely a fantastic automobile but the best ever ? .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Beautiful car. I hope you will enjoy it a lot. I have a 240D and it has been dead reliable. Give yourself some time to get everything sorted and when you finish you will have only to do the basic upkeep.

Yes. It is what I would get if I had to have just one car for life.

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[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.

Bootsie (?) : what was the mix of Dawn and water ? .

Your car looks cleaner than mine did with the SAMS CLUB degreaser I like .

BTW : my car isn't fancy nor a showpiece by any means but at least once I year I put it up on safety stands, get into a monkey suit and hiar cap and go underneath the car with degreaser brushes and rags and the hose and clean and scrub it end to end .

As a Jounreyman Mechanic I really dislike greasy, oily & filthy cars .

Please be specific on the Dawn/water mix, I'm keen to try it .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

All good brother, thanks for popping in!

Thank you thank you! I think I agree. I used to be a BMW guy for 15 years (Many E30s, E36, E34, E46, E24), then Toyota, Lexus, and now this W123. I think this 240d has more charm, quality, and enjoyment than anything I've ever owned before.

OOooooOOooo thank you for the tip. I was mulling over the timing of service and owdercoating, but I think I'll attack it with a pad first. Maybe around the time I do my intake manifold cleaning. Cool cool.

I only wish we got a 240td I love the 300td, absolutely, but much of the appeal I have to these vehicles is in their simplicity. The added tech, vacuum, parts, turbo, SLS, etc of the 300td makes the idea of ownership less enjoyable in some ways. Although I have no doubt many actual owners would disagree. And to be honest I would love a wagon companion. There's a local one on CL that I'd love but I'd be getting ahead of myself.

Soooo there's no precise answer to that, but let me give you the logic between automotive soap and dish soap and engine degreasers....

Automotive soaps are designed to maintain the sealants, waxes, polishes, etc that you may have applied to the vehicle. They usually promote added protection with whats left behind.

Dish soap is designed to be safe for human/food exposure, yet tough on decomposing grease, leaving nothing behind. Like how they save baby birds from oil exposure with it. And what we diesel owners have is a grease problem. But at the same time we want to be safe for the single-stage paint and components that are now 39yrs old in my case. I went aggressive with my mix and did 1/4th dishsoap in that bottle. That's overboard. You can't really hurt your car though since Dawn is so safe, it's just a matter of economy and what's on hand.

(Most) Engine Degreasers and products of the like are incredibly aggressive. They're alright to use, no doubt, but please make sure that it's thoroughly washed away in the end. You don't want that lingering chemical eating your plastic, hose, paint finish, etc.


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


I had some time to throw in the rear sway bar links that were totally blown out. I used the same Dawn mix and brush technique on the fender wells. The rear was much easier since I had the wheels off. Didn't have time for the full fronts, but you get the idea. This isn't a total before-photo since I've blasted these wells out before at the DIY wash, but still, here ya go...

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Okay so I'll freely admit, this particular piece of news won't be for everyone, but I pulled my cruise control unit and linkages. I do not enjoy cruise control, even on cross-country trips, and I don't believe this unit was operational either. I want to make this w123 as simple as I can make it for my personal habits, so naturally this had to go.

For all the purists scowling at me though, perhaps we can reconnect when I show you my brand Mercedes battery?! haha

I also took off all my doorcards and lubricated every mechanism with the Mercedes Source lube kit. I did all four doors. Amazing transformation. The manual windows are so enjoyable to use now and I much much prefer them to the vacuum automatic of the time. Both in use, and in philosophy for the car, and to prevent the paranoia of more vacuum issues looming.

I also polished and lubricated all of the remaining engine linkages points. Much improved!

Also replaced a few more vacuum pieces. I think every component has been done by now, except for the switchover box ontop of the valve cover.

All door check-straps were replaced as well - no more clicking/popping!

And there's my office, where I secretly do a lot of this work in the parking garage. It's such a nice facility, and there's like nobody ever there or in the brand new garage. It's a nice place to get away haha

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