Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 04-15-2004, 06:38 AM
300SDog's Avatar
gimme a low-tech 240D
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: central ky
Posts: 3,602
Worst case scenario for tough starting is low compression.... say at/below 225lbs - generally not a problem for engines with less than 300k miles that have had regular oil changes. Another major problem that can cause tough start is worn-down camshaft lobes.... say, caused by neglected valve clearances combined with inadequate oil changes. Yes, poorly adjusted valves and/or stretched timing chain can be contributing factor towards tough starts too. For sure, cold starting the diesel is best way to know condition of the engine if you know what to look for - such as smoke caused by worn valve seals, nailing, blowby, etc. I would recommend asking the seller to sit in the car and turn the key while you stick your head into the engine compartment and also check the exhaust for smoke that can either be unburnt diesel fuel or oil from bad valve seals and/or guides. You will know the difference between oil smoke and diesel smoke by its smell.

Btw, if you (or anybody else) are shopping the Louisville area.... I'm located just 30 miles South and will be happy to scope any MB that is located there, possibly saving you a trip.



johnbald1@hotmail.com

__________________
'80 300SD/ w116
'79 240D 4-spd
'71 750cc Guzzi

previously owned:

'83 240D 4-spd
'77 280SEL 4-spd
'74 280/8
'72 250/8
'65 220Sb 4-spd
'63 220Sb 4-spd
'63 190c 4-spd
'61 220Sb 4-spd
'60 190b 4-spd

Last edited by 300SDog; 04-15-2004 at 06:52 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 04-15-2004, 05:39 PM
lietuviai's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SW WA
Posts: 5,744
I have a feeling that Very Old Barton is not cheap. I can't seem to find it in WA nor OR.
Attached Thumbnails
Considering a 240D:  How fast are they?-largevobprodshot.jpg  
__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 05-27-2004, 01:26 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 238
I drive a bus...the 240d is slower than a few of the busses we have in our fleet. It's faster than all our CNG busses and our 60 foot 55,000 pound articulated busses, but not faster than some of the 40 footers.

The previous owner drag raced the 240d that I currently own and it ran something like a 25 second 1/4 at 55mph. So we're looking at somewhere around a 30 second 0-60. These things are SLOOOOWWW. Great car for high school kids, I hope mine lasts long enough for me to have kids, let them grow up and drive it. The only ticket's they'll likely see are "not stopping at stop signs" just cause it's so slow.

-Nate

edit: oops, didn't realized I was bringing back the old topic, sorry.
__________________
'82 240D, 4-speed, 617 turbo engine
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 05-27-2004, 01:48 PM
Cazzzidy's Avatar
French Fry Fuel
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 118
My old W115 220D wasn't too bad.

When it was on its last legs -- no compression on #1 cylinder, tons of filings in the oil, ran at 2/3 power -- I drove it like I stole it for a couple nights.

Believe it or not, I rev'd it up to about 3000RPM, and dropped the clutch while taking a turn from a stop. That thing lit up its ouside tire like it was going out of style.

I had the fattest grin on my face as we hopped through the corner with the wheel screaming. My friend was impressed, too.

I agree that you will become an excellent driver in a slow diesel benz. It takes far more concentration and skill to drive a really slow car safely than to drive a fast car hard.

My latest benz, a 300D turbo is plenty fast for me. In fact, I think with some stiff linear springs (custom H&Rs?), Bilstien HDs, limo swaybars, and a 4spd from a 240D, this car would be a really fun to drive hard.
__________________
Cassidy
1982 MB 300DT - Running Great @ 104K!

1972 MB 220D - RIP @ ~200K (Dropped prechamber)
1992 MB 190E 2.6 - SOLD @ 145K
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 05-27-2004, 04:27 PM
oldnavy's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: SwampEast MO
Posts: 1,695
Quote:
My latest benz, a 300D turbo is plenty fast for me. In fact, I think with some stiff linear springs (custom H&Rs?), Bilstien HDs, limo swaybars, and a 4spd from a 240D, this car would be a really fun to drive hard.
You mean it's not fun to drive???

Sounds like you need a 240D, or a TDI (diesel) NB with 6 spd DSG trans. Now that is fun little hotrod to drive.
__________________
'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 05-27-2004, 11:11 PM
Holson Adi's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 2,561
I have not driven a 240D but the 300D Turbo (at least my 300CD) is pretty fast I think.. for what it is. Its 60-80mph acceleration is pretty amazing too. I've had mine up to 100mph following a really fast bunch of cars! The slowest car had to be going 90mph...

this was a while back that my friend took using his cellphone..

accurate? probably not... but they can cruise at pretty high speeds. Really nice and solid too... though a bit noisy. The 123 also takes rough rough rough roads like nothing else..
Attached Thumbnails
Considering a 240D:  How fast are they?-95mph.jpg  
__________________
2008 BMW 335i Coupe
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 05-27-2004, 11:55 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,220
Come on, you can go faster than that on these W123 diesels!



A 240D sounds really neat. Imagine having to plan how to merge into highly congested interstate rush hour traffic while coming on an onramp up a hill. Might as well have an off and on switch instead of a pedal.
__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 05-28-2004, 12:48 AM
The Warden's Avatar
Certified diesel nut
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Pacifica (SF Bay Area), CA
Posts: 2,946
Looking at where the tach's sitting, I'm guessing that an '81-'84 300D would either be right at the governor at that vehicle speed, or beyond the governor (i.e. can't get that fast ).

(Looking at the "dots" on the speedo, that car's clearly an '85...or at least had the '85 speedo swapped in)
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 05-28-2004, 09:34 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 2,220
In my pic, its a genuine '85 300D AFAIK. It has the 2.88 vs 3.07 which is the previous picture I assume.
__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 06-05-2004, 07:55 PM
Novice Diesel Hacker
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: SE, Arizona
Posts: 90
Where are we?

I just get a kick out of this thread and others of the sort. Who knows where they may diverge?
__________________
Tom Engel
***********
83 240 230K Manual (8/2003)
83 300D 265K (3/2004)
Just a Driver!
Reply With Quote
  #41  
Old 06-05-2004, 08:32 PM
wolf_walker's Avatar
Zen And The Art Of Diesel
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 2,050
Quote:
Originally posted by DslBnz
Imagine having to plan how to merge into highly congested interstate rush hour traffic while coming on an onramp up a hill. Might as well have an off and on switch instead of a pedal.
Sounds like the many years I've spent with VW diesels. A non-turbo in the dead of summer with the AC on and a 4spd trying to merge on an uphill on-ramp is just so sad you can't help but sit there and laugh about it(because otherwise you'd cry).

It get's better with turbo's and 5spd's and tuneing(and compressor cut out switches on the throttle and/or boost triggred). But those early days, man..
__________________
One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 06-05-2004, 11:00 PM
mplafleur's Avatar
User Friendly
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Lathrup Village, Michigan
Posts: 2,939
The 240 is a great way to learn to drive a stick, and good if you never get on the highway. My baby blue benz will be missed.
-from the son (mattlafleur) i keep making posts on my dads account by accident.
__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 07-08-2004, 12:19 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: W. Mass / Burlington Vt.
Posts: 133
240D can do 100 mph

I've been lurking here a while, deciding if I should get back into the M-B world (by the way, this is a great forum!) since I sold my rusty 240D for a VW TDI.

But this thread forced me to register. A 240D will certainly do 100 mph (indicated) on a downhill section. 102 mph corresponds quite well to the governed max rpm in fourth gear.

I took this photo while driving back from Alaska in 1999. I think it proves once and for all that 67 horsepower is plenty.

Ted
Attached Thumbnails
Considering a 240D:  How fast are they?-100mph.jpg  
__________________
1983 240D automatic, Orient Red, 174K
1983 240D manual, Biscayne Blue, sold at 341K
Reply With Quote
  #44  
Old 07-08-2004, 02:00 PM
mudduck
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Well I just bought a 240d automatic...sold an 86 Volvo 240 wagon...I just thought the volvo was slow....the diesel really takes a little getting used to in the noise and acceleration department. 100 MPH? hmmm that might be a stretch...crusing at 70 to 75? a little more rpms than I'm used to but easily doable...in fact from about 45 to 70 it actually picks up quite nicely.
I have worked on a lot of gas engines in the past and a couple of 8vt-71 detroit diesels...a quick look under the hood and I knew that even if these little 4 cylinders needed lots of attention it still was going to be ok...lots of room to work and everything is easy to get to.

many hours reading this great fourm and I'm finding out that other than maintainence it probablly won't need much

As for the rest of the car I was a little suprised...I was thinking Hey a Mercedes-Benz....This will make my old fleetwood(before the volvo) look like a motorized skateboard...not so, The 240D does not have near the shear luxury that the Caddy had...But It is an extremly well built, well mannered, comfortable automobile.

I have no trouble beliving the claims that these things will run for 400,000 miles or more, And sheer class? Well hey it's a Mercedes-Benz...it has so much class I feal guilty parking next to the high end SUVs at the office, knowing what they paid and what I paid...it makes that Excursion look down right shabby, That and knowing that even with a 150,000 mile head start the 240 will most likely still be going when the ford is in the scrap heap!

Long story short...(I know... too late...) I am developing a deep affection for my little 240 and with the help of all the nice folks here on this fourm I think it is going to be a long term affair...

Bret
Reply With Quote
  #45  
Old 07-08-2004, 10:36 PM
Gurkha's Avatar
Satyameva Jayate Ad vitam
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Boondocks
Posts: 1,026
The perception of what is luxury differs vastly from country and cultures. What is perceived as a luxury in the US is generaly or neccesarily not considered luxury in other parts of the world. The 240D and 300D were designed for fleet use providing exceptionaly reliable, low maintainance vehicles capable of tackking the German Autobahen as well as the dessert heat of middle east. As a matter of fact, MB engineers tested them for regular use over bomb crater holed streets of Beruit and you can still see ancient MB 240D as well as 300D plying on the roads there as well as almost non existent roads in the war torn Balkans.

The suspension and seats in a MB would typicaly appear hard to long time users of vehicles like Caddilac and Lincoln and that is perfectly understandable just as to me, a Caddy or Linc or Olds would make my stomach churn with their super push(read soft) ride as well as 0 cornering confidence.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page