Ok. Cleaned the injectors. Adjusted valves. Checked for timing chain stretch. Ran a bottle of Diesel Kleen. I'm still getting 18 MPG.
What gives with my car? It starts and runs great with decent power. Doesn't burn or drip any oil between changes. Very light smoke from exhaust when running. A little more smoke on the highway when "punched"
The car has 298,000 miles with absolutely meticulous maintenance by a MB dealer.
Any suggestions?

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

No fuel leaks? I didn't think I had any until I noticed while setting at a traffic light the faint smell from the motor and 'steam' rising from under the hood. Those bypass lines were allowing fuel through the sidewall of the hose!

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

Nope, no leaks. When I did the injectors I replaced all the lines and then power washed. Motor is dry as a bone.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Our 83 SD got lousy mileage when we got it, but it would go like stink compared to the 84. Found that a po had maxed the ALDA adjustment to full CCW. Adjusted it to about mid range and brought it from the 20 it was getting to 27, it is slower now, but still fast enough.

Jerry

I know the 300D's destined for CA had the trap oxider on them. Not sure if the '85 SD's did too, but I would guess that they did. Has yours been removed?

Len

Mine has been replaced under warranty. They went form a trap oxidizer to a catalyst I think. Anyway, that work has been done. i backed the ALDA out 1/4 turn. No real loss in power so I'll just keep an eye on the mileage.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Check for a dragging brake too. I wouldn't think that is the problem but you never know.

__________________
1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

No dragging brakes either. Two new calipers out back. Just adjusted the parking brake. No brake smell. Still keeping an eye on mileage.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

You mention no fuel leaks under the hood, but have you checked out back? From the tank, fuel lines underneath etc? My 84 300TD was getting about 17 mpg until I finally noticed the diesel fuel coating the underside of the fuel tank, due to a bad fuel line. Now I am back up to 24 mpg with it fixed.

Good luck-

JAS

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

Have you done a compression test? The motor may just be plain tired. What color smoke is the car putting out?

Are you sure the odometer is correct? That's been mentioned here before by someone who suspected poor mileage.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Do you have standard size tires? Smaller tires will give you fewer MPG if your odometer is not recalibrated.

__________________
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...aman/Fleet.jpg

Peach Parts W124.128 User Group.

80 280SL
85 300SD
87 300TD
92 300D 2.5 Turbo
92 300TE 4Matic

Never have done a compression test. I was thinking that the ol' girl was just plain tired myself. Without the test I do know that
1) she runs pretty well, 'nuff power
2) she doesn't burn ANY oil
3) Only the slight blackish somke when I nail her.

I thought about the wheel thing before. I went from 205/70-14 (stock) to 225/60-16. The difference is so minimal that it should not make a difference in MPG.

Tomorrow I change both fuel filters. (I have about 15,000 miles worth of fuel though the current ones.)

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

I'd suggest you take it on at least a 25 mile highway run (50 is even better)and compare your odometer/tripmeter reading to the mileage markers and see how you compare. Did this noticable difference happen right after the tire change?

Len

VWBUGE,

I guarantee you that changing the fuel filters will not increase your mileage. It will be a waste of time and money.

If your engine has enough power, the fuel filters are now doing their job properly and do not need replacement.

If you had a power problem, then you might need to replace one of the filters.

Think logically about your problem: There is more fuel going thru your filters than should be going thru them. What possible good could be obtained from new filters. They might transfer even more fuel and you would get lower mileage.

P E H