PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

JimSmith · #5 01-12-2002, 02:48 PM

Wizo,

You can get a good starter on Fastlane, just make sure you specifiy the "heavy duty" one for the 300D and SD. I just went through this and they (the starters) all fit in all cars. The one for the 300D and SD is stronger and will spin the 240D with ease. If you go to Fastlane and look under 240D you will be shown to a light duty version. The light duty may be ok, but the stronger one will last longer, and believe me, it has no problem starting the car (my 240D is a 1982 and has 280,000 miles).

Valve adjustments are critical about every 15,000 miles for these engines as when the valves wear, they get tight and then do not close or spend enough time closed, leading to low compression. Bad for starting and fuel efficiency.

I would also change the glow plugs if you have old ones, or the glow plug light on the dash does not light up every time. With good valve operation, good glow plugs and 100 or so rpm from the starter these cars will light right up, even in very cold weather. That is if the guts of the engine are up to operation, but the internals generally last a long time with regular oil changes. The best oil for one of these is Mobil Delvac 1, 5W-40, or any other Diesel rated synthetic with a 0W 0r 5W Cold viscosity index rating. If the oil is a 15W or 20W cold rating it will provide too much resistance to the starter (the starter runs the oil pump too) and the 100 rpm goal will not be as readily achieved.

Regular maintenance for these cars is pretty limited. Oil changes at least every 5k miles even with synthetic oil, valve adjustments every 15k miles, air and fuel filter changes with the valve adjustments and you should be a happy owner of a happy car. Hope this helps, Jim