'85 300D newbie - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

d.delano · #16 05-25-2004, 08:07 PM

Forgot to ask- what do the handles underneath on the side of the seats do? I know the ones in front slide the seat back and forth, but when I pull the handle on the side ones I can't figure out what they do. Thx

Veloce300DT · #17 05-25-2004, 08:27 PM

If they still work, when pulled up, they are supposed to raise or lower the seat height. Sometimes their mechanisms become corroded and need to be cleaned up. Try sitting in the seat, pulling the lever up, and pushing back against the seat with your legs, or pulling forwards with your other hand holding onto the seat bottom from underneath.

Welcome to the Diesel family!

diesel don · #18 05-25-2004, 09:12 PM

d2:

I have print shop pro or something like that. Only took me two years to figure out how to post on the forum. Needs small pics with not much kb.

Glad to have you around.

d2

ekisgen · #19 05-26-2004, 12:38 PM

Welcome to the forum. . .I am new myself. I bought an 85 300D Turbo (91,000 miles) a little over a month ago. It appears to be the same color as the one you bought (metallic grey). Very pretty color.

In my opinion, a person could not begin to put a price on the information available on this forum. I am in agreement with Mr. Goodfahrt about changing fluids and preventative maintenance. The following activities have resulted in a much smoother ride:

Valve Clearance Adjustment (there is a link to an online MB service manual through Boostnbenz's web site. I highly recommend the special 14 mm wrenches for this procedure)

Oil and Filter Change (Mann oil filter & Rotella T Fully Synthetic Oil. . .still can't get Mobil 1 Truck & SUV oil at the local Wal-Mart)

Transmission fluid & filter change (Replaced fluid with Amsoil universal ATF fluid. . .my transmission really likes the stuff)

Replaced Air Filter with a K&N.

Primary and Secondary Fuel Filters

The valve clearance adjustment improved acceleration and quited the motor down quite a bit. Also, the Amsoil ATF has somewhat smoothed out the shifts.

d.delano · #20 05-26-2004, 05:30 PM

I assume the 14mm wrenches are obtained from a dealer. Are they x-pensive? I need to assemble a list of things I can do to the car in a week while I am down there, to get it roadworthy for the drive back up to DC, where it probably won't see a whole lot of servicing, or driving for that matter. I ride my bike to work because I live in the city. My Dad has a pretty good shop to work on cars, I don't. I got the street. Has anyone performed that turbo wastegate spring tension procedure? Is it terribly difficult, and how much performance do you recover from it? Thanks again

diesel don · #21 05-27-2004, 12:28 AM

I just bent a couple of cheapy 14mm wrenches on the advice of others. Then I ground the heads thinner cuz the 'official' ones seemed too bulky to me.

I like my cheapy ones better.

Don

Mr Goodfahrt · #22 05-27-2004, 10:54 AM

Hello again Mr D.D... I forgot to mention that if you live the DC area you should consider joining the Washington Section of the Mercedes Benz Club of America (MBCA).

http://www.gws-mbca.org/

We have great tech sessions where you can bring your MB and have MB techs look over your car on a lift and talk you through procedures while you perform them yourself. The next one is coming up on July 10 and will be held at the DC areas largest MB dealer in Arlington VA. These sessions are incredibly informative and a chance for some great new friends as well. I would be happy to talk to you also and share my newbie experiences (am still a newbie BTW). You can email me and I'll give you my number.

As for the wrenches, I have the set from **************.com. They were around $32 for the set including directions but their service is a little slow. I also found the information videos at WWW.Repairflix.com very useful.... they also sell on ebay. The valves are very important to do. Mine were all so tight I couldn't measure them! Was a 1st time project for me.

Another tip... by owning a MB you are entitled to call the 24 hour MB road assistance service even if you aren't the original owner. They will give you a free jump start, fuel if you run out, or a free tire change 24hrs a day (my wife actually used this). I have even called them for some technical advce when working on the car when I had a question.

And finally, to make your posts more useful, ad your MBs model and year to your signature so posters will know which one you are talking about.

ekisgen · #23 05-27-2004, 12:49 PM

D. Delano,

I bought the 14 mm wrenches and the valve retaining wrench from the Samstag tool website (samstagsales.com). The pages in the Mercedes maintenance manual give you the actual part numbers. Anyhow, I paid about $80.00 for all three Hazet wrenches. Perhaps I overpaid. . .but I really like the quality.

The valve clearance adjustment (my first) took me about 7 hours to do. I was extremely cautious. Getting the valve cover back on can take a little time too. I would also recommend lubricating the working parts of the throttle linkage with automatic transmission fluid.

As for the wastegate spring tension procedure. . .it is something I have not yet done. I will probably have to give that a shot seems as I can't get the car to go much quicker than 90 mph. Also have the problem over 65 mph on hills, holding the throttle down, no more go.

Good luck and enjoy the week working on your new "baby".

AndyRM · #24 05-27-2004, 01:38 PM

I'm still searching for my special 240D/300D. What I wouldn't give for a nice low/med. mileage orient red one. I used to own a medium blue 240D that was immaculate. It had 236K and ran like a champ. I still am kicking myself for selling it. Recently I was thinking of all the cars I have owned as to which was my favorite. I immediately thought of my 240D. I started looking for another about 2 months ago, but still haven't found one. I thought I had found one identical to it on ebay in NH but after a wasted trip didn't buy it because of it being a rust bucket. Oh well, guess I will just have to have patience. Good luck with your purchase. I think you will find that not only are they simple to work on, but if you do the diesel purge, fluid changes, air filter, and valve adjustment you will see a tremendous difference in power. Low horsepower engines seem to respond significantly to these things.

Andy

d.delano · #25 05-27-2004, 02:06 PM

Thank you all very much. I think I shall buy the Diesel Welcome Kit along with the Sunroof Repair Manual and a new valve cover gasket from **************.com. That should be enough to get me started.
Anyone know where to buy some MB Tex? I used to do upholstery work for a living back when I was in college, and one of my best friends still does. Got some ripped and faded driver's seat material.
I originally was looking for a cheap, cool beater to beat around town in. This car may shape up to be something I'll want to keep, and keep up, for a long time.
This forum is indispensable. Thanks again.

AndyRM · #26 05-27-2004, 03:22 PM

Performance products has MB-Tex as well as leather seat upholstery. The also have the carpet and anything else you may need for the interior. They even have new springs and padding. SInce you have a little experience with upholstery it sounds like something you could show other people how to do at one of those tech sessions. I for one would like to learn but I am a little too far away.

Andy

1stimer · #27 05-27-2004, 04:14 PM

Congrats on the purchase and welcome. You're car is the same color as mine. You might want to look into the throttle linkage and the EGR for your lack of power issues as well as the turbo boost and finally the alda. I think that would be the best order for those things. Many think the '85 is the best year for the 300D's. If yopu want to keep it long term then fix what needs to be fixed and take care of things as they come up, and it will be a good car for you. They do thrive on highway driving though compared to intown little trips. Enjoy it!

d.delano · #28 05-30-2004, 11:35 AM

Here are some better photos

d.delano · #29 05-30-2004, 11:37 AM

another

d.delano · #30 05-30-2004, 11:39 AM

one more