81 240D Manual, what should I look for? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

imagesinthewind · #1 03-14-2008, 04:32 PM

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/605458372.html

First, don't get any ideas. I saw it first.

So, if I go look at this, what should I be looking for?
What kinds of noises should I be listening for good and
bad.
After 4 I know what a good engine sounds and feels like
but what kinds of clutch feel and sounds do I need to be on the
lookout for.

And it is turbo or no?
Thanks!

Takling brakes on the 81 tomorrow. . .

JimS · #2 03-14-2008, 04:44 PM

The clutch should not make any sound. Shoud be smooth and not jerky when you shift. Otherwise presure plate springs might be an issue. Clutch should engage about 1/3 to 1/2 way out. If it is on the floor then clutch could need replacing or there might be a hydraulic issue.

Also look for any "klunking" sound from the rear end as you shift gears. Could be a sign axels need attention.

Good luck...photos look great! Price is certainly right.

Jim

imagesinthewind · #3 03-14-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimS

The clutch should not make any sound. Shoud be smooth and not jerky when you shift. Otherwise presure plate springs might be an issue. Clutch should engage about 1/3 to 1/2 way out. If it is on the floor then clutch could need replacing or there might be a hydraulic issue.

Also look for any "klunking" sound from the rear end as you shift gears. Could be a sign axels need attention.

Good luck...photos look great! Price is certainly right.

Jim

Jim, is yours turbo or did they not come out in turbo?
Thx

JimS · #4 03-14-2008, 04:52 PM

Sorry...no turbo although mine does have plenty of power. Accelerates just fine even with A/C on. Our former Benz, '76 240D 4-speed, had far less power. It's not a 300D turbo but works fine for me.

I am not aware of any year 240D imported with turbo.

Crazy_Nate · #5 03-14-2008, 04:52 PM

I seemed to think that 240D's are all NA, unless modified (which is not recommended). Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.

EDIT: Haha, no problem. I guess we just think alike

Jordan G · #6 03-14-2008, 04:52 PM

nope, no turbos (not that I'm aware of)....all NA

they have 240 wagons...but no turbos.

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong...

EDIT: sorry for the jinx Nate.

zeke · #7 03-14-2008, 05:07 PM

I have had no speed problems. Mine seems to feel faster than the 300TD (it may even be faster at low RPM, before the turbo kicks in on the TD)

I love mine - sooo simple and reliable.
I am not sure how you are going to do in the mountains, though......I haven't really had any problems with hills here, but to us a big hill is 800 ft.

So you should probably take it up a steep hill on the test drive.

Seems like the shift from 1-2 is always a bit wanky in MB (even in my dad's '00 c230 with 30k miles on it) So when you shift see how that shift feels and also how the 3-2 shift feels. I had to learn to move the stick to N, let the RPMs settle just a bit, then move to 2. It slides right into gear if I do it right - otherwise she growls at me!

Others have called this the "stately pace" of a 240D

Also, see how well it moves into R. Others share my experience that you have to put it in a forward gear before R to get the synchros happy. There has been some debate here about whether they had synchros in R, or if the synchros for R just tend to fail. In any case, see how going into R works.

Wow, Ginny, you are collecting quite a stable!

imagesinthewind · #8 03-14-2008, 05:37 PM

Yep, quite the stable.
BUT we have a friend who might want the FL car
and we'd sell it to him to get another.

pj67coll · #9 03-14-2008, 05:52 PM

Look for rust. Any car from Denver of that age could be hiding it someplace. I see there already seems to be some on just behind the left front tire. Other than that. The gears should all work without grinding, including into reverse. Mine had 370K miles on the original 4 speed box when I bought it and soon developed a grind when changing into 3rd, wether upshifitng or downshifting. Also I had to change into 1st or 2nd first to stop it grinding badly when going into reverse. Then after a while the grinding into 3rd mostly stopped, though never into reverse. Really cannot say what the exact reason was but I do think that at that mileage it was probably in need of at least a new clutch and probably a complete tranny overhaul. So if the one you are looking at has only 100 to 200K or so in it I don't think it should display those problems. Other than that it's a great car. Really wish I still had mine. 30mpg regularly for for almost 30 thousand miles.

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #10 03-14-2008, 05:55 PM

On the engine it should fire right up with one revolution of the motor or less. The idle should be nice and even. If you remove the oil filler cap the less blowing out there the better. Some blowing is not a big problem, but not too much.

Tom W

rs899 · #11 03-14-2008, 10:05 PM

A 240D manual is my favorite of all the Benzes. Sooo simple to work on (except bleeding the clutch - I just did one last weekend). Just be careful that you don't get one with a tired engine. They have to work so much harder than the OM617s that I think they don't take abuse and neglect so well. Also, I tend to think the owners of the manual cars were unlikely to be little old ladies (unlike the automatics) so the cars didn't tend to get pampered.

As was said, pay some attention to how smoothly the gearbox operates. Don't worry so much about the linkage as that can be easily fixed, but if the synchros are totally worn out you may be shopping for a new gearbox.

Rick

zeke · #12 03-14-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

LThen after a while the grinding into 3rd mostly stopped, though never into reverse.
- Peter.

Mine too, but I should add that I changed the fluid to Mobil1 10W-30 (please don't hijack this thread and make it into another MTL debate) - based on what my Owner's manual and FSM said, and most of the noise went away. Still will grind if I forget I sold my Nissan and try to power shift from 1-2 without letting the RPM settle, but some of that noise may be dealt with by a fluid change.

That poor FLA car!

What a trip - I think you will like the 4-speed 240D better.