Did a full filter change, fluid swap, and 2 cans of diesel purge, but still can't get the car to give me more than 22mpg. Mainly city driving, some highway. Shouldn't these cars give out 26+? The car does have 277,000 miles on it. I'm not running the A/C, nor any of the climate fans (another problem to fix later).

Is there something I should inspect? Before the filter change and diesel purge, it would smoke a lot when it was cold, but now it barely smokes when cold. Plenty of power as well. It's not really going to matter when I start blending my own fuel, but until then, 22 just doesn't seem right.

Thanks,

Sean

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87 Honda Accord LXi (sold)
72 Chevy Chevelle 4-door 350 (sold) :'(
91 Nissan 240sx (sold) :'(
92 Toyota Celica (sold)
89 Chevy G-20 Conversion Van (sold)
91 Honda CRX (sold to friend)
81 Lincoln Continental (pimp ride project - sold) http://tinyurl.com/2nddq7 :'(
90 Nissan 240sx (waiting for tranny)
91 Cadillac Brougham Limo 350 (party cruiser)
06 Tank 150cc Scooter (destroyed)
90 Geo Metro Off Road Monster: http://tinyurl.com/36ry87
83 300D Turbo Diesel ~276k

Thats a little low, but not that far off.

Low 20's are about what these cars get around town.

Adjust the valves and check the timing, having the injectors tested is probably not a bad idea either.

I usualy get about 22-23 around town in my SDL, which is in perfect tune. My 300SD was always in the low 20's too.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Have you adjusted the ALDA unit on your car? If so, you may a lot of power because you are dumping a lot of fuel when you hit the throttle. If you have, try to turn it down a little (1/8 turn at a time) until you achieve a comprimise of speed and economy. I get about 30mpg driving around town (if you can call it that) in the mountains of Vermont.

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Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
http://www.squaredealfarm.org

1982 300D Turbo
1983 300D Turbo

I would assume this is the 83 300D. Check to make sure the throttle linkages are all tight, so any throttle input is not wasted by loose connections. If you have loose linkages, you'll have to step on it more to get the same power.

On the 83 there's a nut that usually becomes loose on the throttle linkages. Follow the rod from the firewall forward til the end of that rod, and near that would be a 10mm nut. If it's loose, that's your culprit. There should be no play and that nut should be on tight. Loosen it, and pull the throttle linkage towards you as if to accelerate the engine. Then make sure the nut is on the leftmost part of the bracket (assuming left is the driverside). Then tighten that nut and hopefully you'll get the power back and better MPG. I've had this problem before and I too got 22mpg. Tightened it and it went back to 25. Goodluck!

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

22-24 is the normal range for one with that many miles. A newer engine might be able to get in the 24-28mpg range.

I don't get a whole lot better than that in the wagon around town, especially running the AC.......

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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

in my experience that is good mileage for a mixed use.

a 240 will do 20 around down day in and day out.

a turbo dieslel will NEVER break 20 around town in my expereince.

i have had probably at least eight of them.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My wagon gets ~23 MPG. That's seems to be the limit from everything I've tried.

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

My gas w123 280E gets 25mpg on the highway.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Just glad I picked a W124 vintage car. 32 around town. 35+ highway

Thanks for the replies!

__________________
http://www.cityhicks.com

87 Honda Accord LXi (sold)
72 Chevy Chevelle 4-door 350 (sold) :'(
91 Nissan 240sx (sold) :'(
92 Toyota Celica (sold)
89 Chevy G-20 Conversion Van (sold)
91 Honda CRX (sold to friend)
81 Lincoln Continental (pimp ride project - sold) http://tinyurl.com/2nddq7 :'(
90 Nissan 240sx (waiting for tranny)
91 Cadillac Brougham Limo 350 (party cruiser)
06 Tank 150cc Scooter (destroyed)
90 Geo Metro Off Road Monster: http://tinyurl.com/36ry87
83 300D Turbo Diesel ~276k

in my 91 300d i never got that good. about 20 around town and when the muff was bad in back i once got over 30 highway.

i did drive 75 and 80 with it though.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

better than any gasoline car, and dont forget diesel is around for me 10 cents cheaper than gas, like 2.87 for me and gas is 2.95