Hi. I bought my first diesel, a 1976 300D, to keep my '85 500 SEL company. I've never had a diesel before and am waiting to receive an owner's manual. I did a search and saw a lot of discussion about motor oils. I'm still confused as to what is the recommended viscosity. I live near Tijuana where it rarely gets very hot or very cold. Also, I don't understand what kind of maintenance is required for the injection pump. Is that for fuel or oil? Anything else a novice diesel owner should know?
Thanks in advance for your help and thanks to everyone for putting up this board.
Paul

Oil thread...

Opinions on oil filters?

Oil Roll Call

Engine Oil Reference Thread

Enjoy the reading......

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Audi TT

Do NOT lug this engine. Keep it spinning freely. And be sure to learn what the injector pump does.

http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/123_DISK2/program/123-cd-index.html

I use Mobil 1 W15-50, or Mobil Delvac... some use Amsoil if you can afford it, you cant' go wrong..

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2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

Injection pump is for the fuel.

Diesels are compression engines, meaning the cylinder's high compression heats the air (and injected fuel) enough to provide combustion. This means you don't need a spark plug. In colder weather (and engines with low compression, due to age) you need glow plugs to provide supplemental heat for starting.

Diesel fuel is different than gasoline, which means the byproducts of combustion are different. Which means you need a different oil than for a gas engine.

After you've picked your oil, you'll learn that you need clean and dry fuel, a leak-free fuel system (in and out), and clean air. Beyond that it's up to you how picky you want to be. Diesels are very forgiving, meaning they'll start and run way out of spec if the fuel is good and the fuel system is leak-free. Enjoy your ride.

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daBenz - 1970 220D

Thanks for the excellent feedback. I have one other ? for you. Someone told me that all of the MB's including diesels benefit from shifting through the gears even though they have automatic tranny. Is this true????

1985 500 SEL
1976 300D
1974 Renault 17 Gordini
1978 Honda CB550K

Yankee8,

Answer to the auto transmission question running thru the gears is NO. You drive the Diesel with auto the same as you would a gasoline engine with an auto trans.

Da benz was not quite accurate in his description of the Diesel cycle. Only air is compressed in the cylinder. The fuel is then injected at slightly before TDC, comparable to when a spark fires in a gasoline engine. The Diesel fuel then ignites by spontaneous combustion.

P E H

Thanks again for the feedback. I thought shifting the automatic tranny manually sounded like a bunch of bs......

Is this one of the cars that has to have the oil changed in the IP too.... or is that only the 220/240D's? If it is that's one more little thing to be aware of.

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

Wasuhuci,

Don't have to change the oil, just make sure IP has enough oil in it.

P E H