I have a 1991 300D and at idle it does the normal clatter, but since I am new to diesels this always sounds funny to me. Are there different degrees of clatter or anything to quiet it down. My car was in for service and my Mercedes mechanic says the car runs like a top. I guess I am just looking for support from my newsgroup to tell me that is the normal.
I know it sounds silly, but my other car is a Lexus LS 400, which is very quiet at idle.
Thanks for your help!!
ARI

Diesels run basically by detonation of fuel air, hence the clatter. It should be a consistent level of noise that rises and falls with changes in RPM. Your Lexus is gas, absolutely no comparison to a diesel. Happy motoring..

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 03-31-2000).]

The clatter is only at idle, but as soon as I hit the gas pedal it disappears. I just wanted some extra ssurance. By the way, I like my MBZ with 165K better than my 98 Lexus with 20K.
Hee Hee!!!

Hey Arosen,

Me too!!!!
I like my '85 300D better that my Toyota Camry. I also was afraid that the clanging I was hearing was not good. I'm new to diesels as well. I've only had mine for 3 weeks now.
The guy I bought it from, always had the maintenance done at the same dealership. He now has 2 newer MB's and sold me the 300D. I went to the dealership and went thru his service records and took notes. I noticed that the valves hadn't been adjusted in quite awhile, so I took it to my German mechanic (if in Detroit area, lemme know and I'll give you name)and had him give it the "once over".
He adjusted the valves, replaced a glow plug and gave it the German stamp of approval. It still makes the same clanging and runs like a champ.

All in all, I just think it is a different smooth-as-silk noise that we have to get accustomed to. :) and also the periodic routine maintenance that owning a diesel requires. :(




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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300DT 267K (not my miles tho)

Folks,

I just want to get you new Benz diesel drivers up on the correct terminology.

It's not clatter, and it's not clanging, it's called MUSIC. Can you say MUS - IC?

Be warned, if you continue to drive Benz diesels, you are doomed to the same affliction as myself, music.

Enjoy your diesels,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Ut ohhhh, I am finding myself singing the MBZ Diesel song. My cat now tghinks I am purring!!!!

FrankieZ,

Could you post your mechanic's name & number in Detroit? I've been searching far and wide for a good diesel Benz mechanic in the area. I need someone to do a prepurchase inspection on a 300SD (81-85) and nobody around here knows enough about them to give me a knowledgeable, honest opinion!

Thanks!
Neal

I absolutly love the sound of my diesel and you will love yours soon!! There's something about having the only car in the whole parking lot that makes that special sound. And here's the best thing, I have a remote starter and I can listen to my baby talk to me as I walk accross the parking lot. also, it makes it real easy to find my car!!

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Dave.
82 300SD

clatter or chatter????
 

does your clatter sound like clatter or more like chatter?

Diesel clatter is definitely music to the ears. However, a true diesel ear must be tuned to subtlties. There is such a thing as 'nailing' which is a harder sound and is sometimes caused by dirty injectors. You should periodically run diesel purge thru the fuel system. My 85td definitely sounds different when it is running on pure purge and does sound different afterwards when things are cleaner.
The diesel forum will provide good info on how to run the purge through your engine. And, if you're really desperate, there is a thread in which someone put their laptop on top of their engine and recorded the sound.

the "clatter" is due to the compression ignition that diesels use.

Sometimes this happens to gasoline engines, which is then referred to as "knocking" or "pinging".

diesel sounds
 

The only diesel engines that I really loved hearing was the old IDI Catarpillars. I've been listening to diesel engines since 1963. I made a living burning diesel fuel for 32 years.

Try a bottle of RedLine diesel fuel treatment in a tank of fuel and see if the noise fades. If so, you have carbon buildup or iffy nozzles and need to go from there.

However, unless is sounds like someone is driving large nails into an oak plank, it's normal. All diesels make some noise, although the 602 is usually pretty quiet.

One other thing to check -- the belt tensioner shock rubber bushings can wear out, causing the shock to clank. This sounds excatly like a rod knocking! If you press sideways on the shock with the engine running and the noise goes away, replace the shock.

Peter

And I might add....my '84 300SD which is started in the garage (with the door up of course!) sounds like a cement mixer with a load of bricks in it when first started up in the morning, but after a few minutes on the road the banging and, ahem "clatter" disolves into a beautiful purr.:D

I think that a friend of mine said it best when she said "The throb of a Mercedes diesel makes me feel secure. I remember back to my parents 220D". To me it makes me feel like the beast is really a living thing. I may buy another Mercedes, but I'll never get rid of my diesel!;)

Now if I could just convert my 380Sl to a 300SLD!:D