HI All,

Just purchased a 1985 300sd from my indy mechanic. He says he put in a new timing chain and rebuilt tranny. Everything else looks and works great so far. It's a little slow pulling out but not as noisey as I thought it would be. I also had it at about 80 or so on the highway last night...the car is a dream on the highway. I feel very safe!

I just wanted to ask...is there anything I should do differently with a diesel. I've heard people talk about putting some stuff in the tank to clean,condition, boost, etc. Also, I read somewhere to let it idle for a little before shutting it down.

Any comments, suggestions, etc. to help keep in good shape/running...I intend to keep this car for a while.

Thanks,

Tom

some suggestions are geographically relevant - putting in your location, mileage etc. in your sig will help.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

For starters, you might try adding either Red-Line, or Power Services, to your diesel fuel, they will increase cetane values, and increase performance, mpg mileage, and run smoother, quieter.

Or, run B-20 biodiesel fuel for a couple of tank fulls, it will clean the fuel distribution system very well.

Air filter, fuel filters, are more frequently changed on diesel cars too. Oil changes at 3,000 miles with non-synthetic, and 5,000 miles with synthetic, are a general rule, as the soot content in the oil begins to become abrasive with diesels. ............BB

No matter your location always let it "idle down" before turning it off. Especially after getting off a freeway. This lets the turbos RPMs come down safely before you cut off the oil supply.

A few things a new diesel owner should do:
New fuel filters (2)
Check air filter
Valve adjustment (I am sure your mechanic did this when he changed time chain)
Maybe run a diesel purge or a fuel system treatment

Pete is right about the sig thing. It gives people more info when you ask for help. Remember always to do a search also. Alot of basic topics have been covered here VERY thoroughly. If there is something that you cannot find or find difficult to understand then ask away!

Enjoy

P.S. we love to see pictures

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

I'll have to work on the signature part. I'm in Arizona. Very dry here, no worries about cold starts...unless I take a trip up north. Car has 150k miles on it...Smoke silver with blue leather interior. Another thing...seem to be getting leather squeaking? or upolstery (sp?) squeaking. Could this be from the dreaded Armour All. I've heard people talk about using something to remove silicon from seats, etc.

I'll work on the pictures.

I've noticed that the oil gets black pretty quickly. I've thought about running synthetic..are the advantages that much better?

Tom

1985 300 SD, 150k, 1st diesel

I put my location in where "edit profile" is under user CP. Don't worry about black oil - that's soot, even my newly rebuilt engine gets that. "Feel" the oil between thumb and index finger - should be slippery like new oil. Brian Carlton is resident expert on seat noise - although Brian's seats actually TALK to him, especially on dark, foggy nights . Other than that, welcome!

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

tkotanch, '85 was a great year for the SD, the best IMHO. A real road warrior!
A simple tweak with the LDA can improve initial acceleration with little downside if its done properly. Your indy is probably aware of how to remove the cover on the adjustment screw, its not hard to DIY if your not afraid of tearing or cutting the thin metal cover off.
Another thing is putting a BB in the vac line to the EGR valve (for testing purposes )
You are driving it properly when you do an occasional Italian Tune Up (driving the snot out of the engine to blow the crud out!)

1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 296650
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 223470
1987 300D 262300

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

The advantage of synthetic oil is extended drain intervals. As mentioned, 3,000 mile oil change w/dino and 5,000 mile oil change w/synthetic.

the squeeks are most likely coming from the door seals. Give them a light coating of silicone or similar, you will notice a big difference.

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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace