A bunch of friends and I are planning a road trip around the country in two benzes, probably a 72 220 d and a 76 300d any suggestions besides the obvious (oil change, tires, belts...) that I should do to these cars?

1. Get AAA
2. Carry a full toolbox, fuel filters, and any fluids you might EVER need (oil, atf, psf, etc)
3. Give many offerings to the god of diesel

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'84 190d 2.2 - Silver
Converted to 5-Speed
'84 190d 2.2 - Blue
Factory 5-Speed

'76 300D (W115)
Sold, found again in less auspicious circumstances

Fluids
Fuel filters
Air filters
Full set of belts
Tools
Jumper Cables
Duck tape
Glow plugs
flares
flashlight
cell phones
Fix-a-flat
Beer
Bail money

Do ALL the maintenance you need, carry spare filters and fluids, etc. Bring your lap top with wireless so you can get to us if you have a problem.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

Take me.
Digital Video cameras to post cool pics later.
BTW what's your itinerary, so far?

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Bring some good music, too. If you're travelling through the bible belt, all you're going to find on the radio are country stations and praise stations. Not that God and Country music are bad things at all....I just can't listen to that stuff while I'm driving.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

Since you brought up radio. Subscribe to XM, and set up a Sky-fi2 to broadcast to the FM radio. I'm so addicted to XM, that I won't even take a 5 minute hop into town without it. There are all kinds of choices for music on it, and you don't have to deal with the endless commercials like you do on (F)utiley (M)ismanaged radio.

If you do a search you may find some really good threads on this subject.. from a couple of years ago...

Don't forget A Tow Strap


"Bring your lap top with wireless so you can get to us if you have a problem."

That would be Epic.

Stranded in Death Valley and saved by the mob at mercedesshop.com

We could finally stop referring to those old moon landings,
when searching for an analogy about the pinnacle of mankind's technological achievements.

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

"Patric, this is Houston....
we're going to need you to make an air filter out of your socks."

"Houston, we have a problem, haven't changed them in 3 days, please send help."


"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that."


"HAL?"

( with apologies to 'Apollo 13' - '2001: A Space Odyssey' & 'Christine' )

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

Probably lost in the horrific forum crash!!

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

Houston, we need fuel......

Well, what have you got handy for burnin?

Well, we have some cactus seed, and I happened to bring my seed press, bio-d processor, fuel washer, fungus killer, and WVO strainers with me.

Good thinking men, get to it!!



Gotta love diesels!

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-Matt

EPA Section 609 Certified MVAC Technician
-----------------
Oil Burner Kartel Member #10

Ahh the smell of Diesel Fuel, it's like coffee in the morning!

My Car:

1982 300SD Turbo Diesel (231,500 miles!) RIP

1984 300SD Turbo Diesel Custom (235,500 mi on driveline.) - On Road!!

www.icsrepair.com

I guess I like to play it risky, this past summer I went on two long trips (and many sub 500 mile ones) first trip was to washington dc, week long, total miles 1,780 or so. Second was all the way around lake michigan and to oshkosh, WI....2.5 day trip, nearly 1,400 miles. All I brought on either was some extra fluids. Not so much as a wrench or a fuel filter.

If going on a 2,000+ mile trip I would definatley bring a lot of other stuff too though.....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I have a 69 220d and have found many age-related suspension problems. If you've only driven your 220d with light loads any suspension problems might not show up, such as the inability to steer the car, literally. I got sucked into the side of a semi on the interstate due to this. And I lost more than the left side body. Seriously, please do check the suspension, including all bushings before your trip.
And, I don't have the name of the forum member who said get AAA, but that is one good suggestion. I think mine cost's me $60 or so dollar's a year.

Longest trip I made with the SDL so far was about 700 miles. I brought some tools but they were a waste of space. I didn't even need to pop the hood the whole time. Maybe next year I will drive it to FL for fun, I probably won't bring a screw driver.

If you know the car you can usually spot problems before they become a problem. Also MB roadside and a cellphone is my plan B.

Make sure the maintaince is up and you have good tires. Also check and make sure your spare is in real good shape. You may have to run a awhile on it so if its 20 years old and rock hard replace it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200