Now I remember, it`s Dover isn`t it?

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300TD W124, Two VW TDI Passat Wagons,Cummins Ram 250, Kubota Tractor
23 cylinders sipping the sweet sauce of the soy bean

There is no valve adjustment on a 60x motor. No rockers - cam goes right over the lifters.

My first motor with zero degrees chain stretch got between 25-29 occassionally I could get 32 MPG in 2 lane roads with good fuel.

My second motor with 3 degrees chain stretch gets between 28-34, usually about 31-32 in the summertime but once or twice 33-34. That's running 80 MPH on interstates.

I have the sedan, the wagon will probably drop 1-2 MPG.

Fuel QUALITY makes up to a 20% difference in fuel economy from what I've seen over the past 155Kmi.

Engine timing may have something to do with economy.

If its slow off the line, then check the boost sense line, it can get clogged with oil - blow it out with air/carb cleaner. Also, there is an ALDA (fuel enrichment for boost) adjustment that can be done that will improve off-the-line performance quite a bit.

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Brian Toscano

The A/C can also bring down the fuel economy serveral MPG. On mine right now it can be as much as 5 MPG - but I think there's something wrong with the compressor.

Regards,

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Brian Toscano

It seems that using the A/C in mine will reduce overall mileage by about 2 MPG... not too bad.

As for the ALDA adjustment, the intake manifold must come off to do this, since the manifold blocks the adjustment nut, and makes it impossible to adjust. On the up side, the manifold probably needs to be cleaned anyway. Stupid EGR.

Sooty... if the line to the ALDA is plugged, or the overboost solenoid is malfunctioning, then your engine will run just like a Volkswagen "EcoDiesel." The turbo still functions, but the injection pump won't richen the fuel mixture as boost increases... thusly, you will be losing about 40 hp (on an OM603), and boost won't go above ~8 psi due to the lack of fuel & exhaust gas energy. Normally, the turbo should produce 12.5 psi.

As for changing from "Eco" mode to Normal mode, all you need to do is add an electrically controlled vacuum solenoid in line with the ALDA. Open the solenoid and you will be in normal mode, with the ALDA matching fuel for up to 12.5 psi. Close the solenoid, and you will be running in Eco mode, with fuel matching the equivalent of 0 psi, and the turbo generating ~8 psi (very efficient, but slow).

A good running wagon on 49-state summer fuel should get high 20's, like 27-30mpg, with a light foot and steady 55-70mph on flat roads. Don't expect much higher but it is possible. You need to drive it like you stole it for a while (aka "Italian Tuneup") to help clear out the engine. Also good to check IP & cam timing.

If it's slow off the line, or low on power in general you need to time the car 0-60 with a stopwatch on a flat road. If below normal, common problems are EGR (disable this), ARV (disable that too), and a lean condition off idle (richen it up with the ALDA adjustment).

Also, start worrying if you ever see engine temps above 105-110C on the dash gauge - that, 99% of the time, indicates a faulty item in the cooling system (t-stat, radiator, or fan clutch most likely.)

HTH,

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Most of the TDI problems do NOT exist on the MB. Intakes on these engines do collect crud from the EGR, but no one has ever reported performance increases by cleaning the intake.

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Brian Toscano

You don't need to turn the turbo on/off, you need to control the fuel injected. YOU HAVE THIS CONTROL. Use a light foot to reduce the fuel consumption.

Well, Tim Freeh was kind enough to come by last evening and have a look at our wagon. The car registered good boost and consistantly did 0-60MPH in the low to mid 12`s. In the next couple of weeks we`re going to check the timing and chain to see what`s up there, if anything, and fiddle with the tranny in an attempt to take care of an occational little slip from second to third.

Thanks so much for your time and interest Tim, it`s much appreciated on this end. Looking forward to the next diagonsis. How did the return trip on the B80 go???....

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300TD W124, Two VW TDI Passat Wagons,Cummins Ram 250, Kubota Tractor
23 cylinders sipping the sweet sauce of the soy bean

Ron

It was a pleasure meeting you and seeing your new wagon. For the other forum members Ron's wagon runs pretty well indeed - we did 4-5 0-60 runs with a G-tech and got very consistent times of around 12.3 -12.5 seconds. Boost was 10-11 (maybe just a bit low but not too bad?)

IMHO the car runs pretty well so its not clear why its not getting 27-29 MPG like we all seem to agree it shoud. We are going to get together in a few weeks (Ron how does the weekend of July 10-11 look? My next three weekends do not look good - and the next weekend is July 4th) and check IP and valve timing and maybe fiddle with the Vacuum control valve for the auto transmission.

Ron should take some photos of his engine - its as clean as GSXR's pictures!! It was truly amazing.

While I was in the neighborhood I refueled my 91 300D 2.5 turbo on B100 Biodiesel from Cropper Oil in Ocean City. My car had about 2.3 gallons of Diesel before the fillup - We calculate its about a B80 mixture. My initial impressions are positive - the car runs pretty much as it did on regular Diesel, it might be just a bit quieter and maybe a bit smoother as well. I really like the smell of the exhaust - I never really minded the smell of Diesel exhaust but running Biodiesel makes me want to head to McDonalds for some fries at every stoplight!! Very nice indeed.

And the best thing of all - No foreign oil involved.

I assume that all commercial bio-diesel is produced in the USA from USA bio-stocks.. Is this true?

Tim

The pleasure was all mine Tim.

At your convenience, that will work for me. You name the day and time.

Yes, I`d be more than glad to take some pics and share here with the boys.

Upon getting this car it had petrodiesel in the tank and it appeared to me to run well. When I first filled it with biodiesel it had about a B60 blend. Before I started it up I popped the hood to see if I could detect any initial difference in the way it ran. As the new fuel made it`s way to the combustion chambers I could distinctly feel the engine both calm and quiet down, it was measureable.

And with the Maryland Soybean Board`s rebate program, it`s cheaper that the Devil`s Tea. Tim paid about $1.58/gallon.

With the global economy reaching into the grain market I guess there is no garrantee but I suspect it`s mostly if not all a US Bean product. It`s surely cracked here in the States.

Thanks again Tim for your time and insights. Looking forward to the next shake down.

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300TD W124, Two VW TDI Passat Wagons,Cummins Ram 250, Kubota Tractor
23 cylinders sipping the sweet sauce of the soy bean

Gosh, I would have loved participating in your meet and resolving some of the same issues with my 87 300d. You guys are right on with what my car needs. Heck, I used to live in Severna Park, and it is only an eleven hour drive from Cape Cod.

Eastern Shore?

I could use a mini vacation!

Well we could do them both on one day if your up for the drive - 11 hours (at least on the east coast) is a long way.

I`m up for that. Love to have you participate Sooty.

Made much more enjoyable when you are driving a magnificant vehicle such as the ones we are so fortunate to be caring for.

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300TD W124, Two VW TDI Passat Wagons,Cummins Ram 250, Kubota Tractor
23 cylinders sipping the sweet sauce of the soy bean

Turbo not Working '87 300D
This post may help you determine if you have a turbo problem or related parts.
Good luck!

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