I know someone in the neighborhood who has a 240d. I don't know what year, just guessing at 1979? She says when she goes up a long hill here in Atlanta, (it's not like we're in the mountains, you know), she has to go into the slow lane and put on her blinkers because the car is so slow.

I'm thinking a car that is made in Germany, where they DO have mountains, they would have made them with some oomph enough to go up hills in decent fashion.

Is hers normal, or do you think there's something wrong?

Thanks,

jeff

fuel filters?

plus building momentum before the hills is a good plan.. Truckers do it and it helps

Kickdown switch not working or driver doesn't know how to use it??

Edit: Carpet wadded up under the go pedal??

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Getting in the slow lane is not a bad idea, it will be slow

Shifting into the right gear is key

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-Dan
1983 240D AT, 163K running on VO, "The Patience Tester"

On bigger hills a 240 is probably going to have to kick down to third and run some high rpms (3500-4000) on the way up the hill to have enough HP to go a reasonable speed. Still won't be very fast though (maybe 55-60 on a steep hill?) That is, if filters, valves...etc...are all in good order.

__________________
-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)

The SD won't climb a decent grade at anything more than 65 mph and it has about 80 hp at that speed.

A 240D in high gear would have about 48 hp at the same speed, so, it's not climbing the same hill at 65 mph and would need to slow to an estimated 55 mph. In third gear, the engine would have very close to it's maximum available horsepower (65 or so) and could hold 55 mph.

There is only 62hp available to move that 3500lb car, don't be afraid to high revv the engine.

Before condemning the 240D, or even the 300SD, based on weak response once the pedal hits the metal, check the range of throttle stroke at the injection pump compared to the throttle pedal link mounted on the firewall. Once the linkage elements age, the plastic and rubber parts nearly disintegrate and the original travel at the injection pump begins to deteriorate. On my 1982 and 1983 240Ds the linkage has a thick rubber element in a longitudinal joint that just falls out after a while. At this point there is a loss of about 50% or more of travel at the injection pump, and it literally feels like the car has no steam left as you push the pedal into a dent you make on the floor.

Hope this helps, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Since the 300SD does a 0-60 time in 12.8 seconds with a 2.88 diff........verified with a G-Tech Pro........it would be difficult to make a case that the throttle linkage is compromising the fuel capability.

However, fundamentally, I do agree with the suggestion.

A 240d should be able to take normal interstate hills at traffic speed. If in the mountains you might have to go down to third but you would be passing the heavier laden trucks for sure....if it is running right and the linkages are correct.

That car is not right.

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.

The only time my wife's 79 240D had problems with Atlanta hills was when she lugged the engine. Keep the RPMs up and the hills should not be a problem. I could do 80 going over Mont Eagle driving to Nashville from Atlanta.

A couple years ago when I was driving through the insane hills of PA, I was able to hold 45ish mph up most of those hills with the pedal to the floor in third (and some of the time it would drop to 2nd and run 4000+rpm if the hill got real crazy) That was with two people, 1000lbs of cargo (literally) (ton of camping gear....firewood...etc), some stuff in the backseat, and a full tank of fuel. Good o'l 617....can't be killed. Oh, and on that leg of the trip I got 18.9mpg. Wonder why!

__________________
-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)

Naturally, it depends on the grade of the hill.

But, if a 617 is down to 45 mph in third for a decent grade...........somebody isn't being truthful about going 80 mph upgrade in a 240D.

I bet my "240D" could do it.

80 mph up a 5% grade??............read my lips: NFW.