Made it to DC! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 10-17-2007, 08:31 PM

I made the first of many weekly trips from New Paltz, NY to Washington, D.C. as I have started my new government job (woo hoo!)

The best part is that the 300SD is getting great mileage. The last two tanks have averaged over 27MPG! That is the best I have seen in a year as the MPG dropped as soon as the introduced ULSD from about 26-27 to 24-25.

I will be filling up before heading back to NY on Friday. I will post the next MPG reading when I do so.

The only difference is that I adjusted the valves before heading down. 9 out of 10 were tight. Could that cause a 3MPG drop?

If so I suggest that everybody do a valve adjustment. getting the 3MPG savings will pay for the adjustment in a short time!

Cheers,
Joe

connerm · #2 10-17-2007, 09:27 PM

Where do you work in DC? I'm at the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill. A colleague and I have 5 diesels between us. Conversation occasionally turns to work.

LUVMBDiesels · #3 10-18-2007, 08:23 PM

I am at DHS at 111 Mass NW.
Drop me a PM and we can get together and talk diesels. Do you know of any local bioDiesel outlets?
Joe

powerpig · #4 10-18-2007, 09:49 PM

I'm also in the DC area and work in Arlington when I'm in town. Maybe time for another GTG!

Dee8go · #5 10-18-2007, 09:53 PM

Welcome to Washington, Joe. I'm looking forward to meeting you.
Tom

mcguiver7 · #6 10-18-2007, 10:08 PM

i second the valve job. when i got my 300d na a month ago all i heard at start up was "clack clack clack". i did the valve job the other day (all were tight) and it made such a difference. i also did a diesel purge. pedal response is much better. joe did you notice a big improvement in pedal response as well?

connerm · #7 10-19-2007, 08:56 AM

Only biodiesel place I know about is the Navex (Navy Exchange) on Joyce Street near the Pentagon. It looks just like an average quickie mart, except only military personnel can purchase goods there. Anyone (civilians) can purchase b20, CNG, E85. Bought some last year. Price was around the same as regular diesel.

Dee8go · #8 10-19-2007, 09:25 AM

Connerm, are you saying that only military personnel can buy things in the store, but anybody can by the fuel there?

FRANKNBENZ · #9 10-19-2007, 05:31 PM

I'm in Arlington (Rosslyn) as well, although I live in Silver Spring.
I've been toying with going into homebrew biodiesel production in accordance with the Bill Kemp tome. See Amazon reference. Also available at local libraries.

http://www.amazon.com/Biodiesel-Basics-Beyond-Comprehensive-Production/dp/0973323337/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-8286965-1597266?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192829059&sr=8-1

Kemp's set up meets US ASTM standards. Book is an interesting read, half bashing home brewers, a quarter on how important it is to meet a national standard, the rest on how he put together a rig to do just that.

Sunk costs for the tanks and pumps aside, the claim is made that B100 meeting spec, and that can be used year round in cool to cold climates, can be produced for 85 cents a gallon.

Add in costs of swapping out rubber fuel lines, of course.

A GTG to compare notes on fuel, parts, techniques, etc. would be interesting.

Off to Africa for a week beginning Tuesday, but will be able to check this forum.

Hope to see you folks...

toomany MBZ · #10 10-19-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Connerm, are you saying that only military personnel can buy things in the store, but anybody can by the fuel there?

From a former sailor, no.

All purchases must be by military types, or dependents.

connerm · #11 10-19-2007, 07:34 PM

Dee8go,
Yup. You can go there and buy $70 worth of biodiesel and a six pac of budlight and they'll make you put the suds back unless your a squid, jarhead, dogface, throttle-jockey, chair-force or coastie. I was going there when I was taking my wife to GW Hospital for chemo. I'd try to buy beer every single time I filled up, and every time they asked me for a mil id. I showed them my gov. id., but was denied. Effem.

Dee8go · #12 10-19-2007, 07:41 PM

Well, that's okay. I think the folks in the military get a pretty crappy deal from our government most of the time, especially the ones who actually serve in our wars. If they get to buy stuff for less and the reat of us don't, that's okay by me.

powerpig · #13 10-19-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go;

Well, that's okay. I think the folks in the military get a pretty crappy deal from our government most of the time, especially the ones who actually serve in our wars. If they get to buy stuff for less and the reat of us don't, that's okay by me.

Actually, that used to be correct, but the only break they get now is no local sales tax. Unkie Sam could do better for them.

connerm · #14 10-19-2007, 08:06 PM

I forgot to add that my post was respectfully submitted. I hold those who volunteered to defend this country and fight communists, and islamic fascists in the absolute highest regards. God save the U.S. military. (sorry for getting off topic)

FRANKNBENZ · #15 10-20-2007, 11:27 AM

For those who are now serving or who have served, you are welcome. Thank you for remembering.