After months on the site, mining good advice from this forum, I bought my first diesel car, which is also my first Benz. Now I have Newbie angst.

Bought her unseen through the forum, drove her home (to Michigan) from DC, with no troubles (and one tank of gas!). Suddenly the battery light won't turn off, and she seems to be knocking and shuddering hard at idle. The previous owner drove her 100 miles a day--my commute is only 10 mlles, so she may be adjusting, but how do I know?

30 seconds after getting into this car, I was hooked. I've christened her Lola, and she is garaged, unlike every other car (even newer, expensive ones) I've owned.

Really want to try WVO, but I don't want to kill her. The owner (verified by his certified mechanic) stated that the car needs no work. The oil was changed last week. Is my lovely stinky girl a ticking time bomb, or should I relax? Also, is there anything I should do to the fuel filter, etc before trying WVO?

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84 300D anthracite grey, tan interior "Lola"

Diesel smells like farvegnugen!

you put gas in a diesel?

more info would be great

model, year, milage, etc

Congratulations.

Can you tell us a little more about your new toy. Like year and model?

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Bob
'82 300D Petrol B-G Metallic

What exactly is diesel?--I always thought it was really bad gas. Yes, I'm leaving myself wide open there, but I'm a brave soul.

After reading the many oil threads, I'm a little afraid to ask, but how else does a newbie learn?

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84 300D anthracite grey, tan interior "Lola"

Diesel smells like farvegnugen!

I listed her in my profile, but it doesn't show up--will figure this stuff out eventually. She drives well at all speeds--AC doesn't seem to blow cold, but hopefully that will be a simple thing. One small rust spot, but I'm considering it a beauty mark.

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84 300D anthracite grey, tan interior "Lola"

Diesel smells like farvegnugen!

you will get used to saying fuel or diesel sooner or later.. when you accidently say the word gas around diesel guys they will stare at you all weird like..

Glad to see you finally found one.

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a few mb diesels

Yep, there are still those that enjoy that line of humor..... Try to resist the urge as you build your post count.
Congrats on the car, but we deal in pics here, and like to see what folks are driving. I commend you on a quick signature update. Now you need to work on that gallery....

You may have something going on with your alternator. Either the voltage regulator could be ready for replacement, or maybe the alt is seizing and dragging on the engine. (less likely)
Hope for voltage regulator and a bad tank of "fuel"....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Yes, I already got one funny look, and thanks for letting me know why! I thought specifying diesel was only to distinguish it--like premium, or unleaded. I call propane gas too...

So, my diesel engine, which gets about 30 mpg, is stinky and noisy. That's OK because I was prepared. But any light on the dashboard other than the seatbelt makes me feel a bit like Scarlett O'Hara.

Rhett, Rhett...what shall I do? I was a ferocious tomboy, so I'm reasonably handy, but still do not want to do more than absolutely necessary to keep Lola running.

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84 300D anthracite grey, tan interior "Lola"

Diesel smells like farvegnugen!

another thing

When were the fuel filters changed.. it could be sucking air in at idle



I said that as well when I got my 300D but I caved and started replacing things that didnt seem to be right..

check for air in the inline pre-fuel filter, it is the clear plastic fuel filter that is inline of fuel hose leading to the main fuel filter....there is a primer just beside it that unscrews so you can pump air out...........

The battery light, may be charging system warning, or a faulty light. Do you have any history on the age of the battery, alternator, etc.... You could always go to the dreaded AutoZone to check your charging system....

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85 300CD Turbo "Das Polluter" 230K sold for $3,000

98 BMW 323is

To theDon's question, the mechanic showed me two fuel filters when I got the car, neither due for a change according to him.

JimmyL--I want your car! I'm whispering so Lola can't hear me, but that deep cream is the color I wanted--the grey was my second choice. If it's bad ga... er, diesel then should I wait it out 400 miles? Is there a diagnostic I can do without going to a shop?

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84 300D anthracite grey, tan interior "Lola"

Diesel smells like farvegnugen!

How do I pump the air out? I have a compressor, but it doesn't provide suction, just air. Even if that's not the problem this time, it seems like something I should learn how to do. Something that doesn't require me to buy another tool?

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84 300D anthracite grey, tan interior "Lola"

Diesel smells like farvegnugen!

well getting air out of the fuel injection system is rather easy sometimes..

You can use the primer pump until you hear a hissing sound. but their is always going to be a little bubble in the clear filter. The tubes could not be sealing properly and sucking air in under load.

You could have also gotten some bad fuel during your trip and fudged up the filters .. the clear filter should be clean.. is it?

I hope you're joking, ... that's the reward for doing the work!

If the regulator, cheap. Worth pulling anyway to check the brushes, two screws on the back of the alternator.

Where in Michigan? I need comrades.

L-o-l-a lola, ... like the song, is he a she or she a he?

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff