I just bought my first W124 diesel, and I am wondering just how much quieter I should expect the engine to be (if at all). With the hood open, it doesn't sound THAT much different than a W123 turbo diesel, I don't think. I ran some diesel purge through, and though it didn't make an immediate difference, the car SEEMED quieter after a jaunt to the store tonight (with a couple WOT 0-60 runs thrown in for good measure). With the hood open during after the purge, though, I think it sounded about like my '84 300TD did.

Should I be thinking of testing injectors? Thanks!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Mine purrs. My suggestion is to find someone with a 300D 2.5T with all the issues sorted out and compare. It's a fine car when on the boost; but a vac leak, bad sensor or boost overprotection valve will send it straight to the doghouse (with all due respect to 240Ds, the 602 demands a turbo).

Congrats on your new ride.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

The 60X engines tend to be considerably quieter than their older bretheren (61x). The diesel "clatter" isn't present at idle to any significant degree and the engine sounds more like a sewing machine than a diesel. When the rpm is increased, any slight bit of noise at idle will immediately disappear.

When cold, however, the engine will generate significantly more noise and a comparison could be made to the older engines. This is only upon initial startup.

Thanks Dana. I am hoping to catch up with OldNavy sometime and see his 2.5. I just got the boost sorted out on my car (I think -- hope it lasts!). The acceleration is quite nice; I see peaks of about 15 pounds of boost (that's where my boost gauge maxes out, though), and the wastegate opens and it settles to 11 or 12 I believe. That is acceptable, no? I'll try to get some level-ground 0-60 times, but I think I'm doing OK performance-wise. It's just clacks a little bit like my old TD did. Sounds a little like typical diesel injector knock to me, but I have no reference point for what a diesel W124 should sound like.

Thanks again!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Thanks, BC, too. I'll listen closer at hot idle and see how she sounds. If she had adjustable valves I'd swear they just needed attention. :smile:

I'm liking this car, though. They did the W124 diesels right!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

If the valves have noise, it will be a noticeable "tick" sound. You can't miss it. That's the sound of a lifter that won't fully pump itself up. Sometimes it comes and goes...........sometimes Mobil 1 will completely eliminate it. Sometimes, you must replace the lifter.

It's usually a good engine without too many issues.

Try to find another one for comparison.

Thanks again! I thought Mobil 1 quit making a diesel oil... or maybe the local places just quit stocking it? Did they re-label or something?

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

The one that you want is the diesel Truck and SUV oil. It's not all that easy to find and it comes in one gallon containers (not five quart). It's also pricey........at about $25.00 per gallon.

Wal-Mart has it........sometimes.........

Thanks, BC. I did a search and found the oil you are referring to. I used to buy their Truck & SUV for my Jetta TDI before they discontinued it. My local Wally World doesn't have this new stuff for whatever reason, so I'll have to check around a bit. Not sure I'll run synthetic in there all the time, but it sure can't hurt for this first oil change, just to see if it makes a difference with the lifters (if that's in fact what I'm hearing).

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Plan on at least 5K miles before you make any judgment on the oil affecting the lifters. It's a slow process...........if it happens at all.

They should sound like a gas engine as soon as you get off idle. I don't know about the 5 but the 6 is smooth at idle with a slight diesel clack. The 616/7's sound like tractors in comparision.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

That's OK. Something like that is worth waiting on. I am not sure my noise isn't injector knock, though. I'll have to see. It's not constant; it can vary with temperature and will kind of come & go. I'm going to try a second can of Diesel Purge as well and see what she does. When I crack an injector line, the resulting clatter sounds very similar to what I am hearing (just a bit louder and more uniform).

This car has 250K miles on it, and while it has obviously been cared for, I have no records to indicate things like timing chain or injector maintenance or checks.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Make sure you get the M1 5w-40 synthetic, but any diesel-rated (C-rated)brand will do.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

Naturally the 5 cylinder wont be as quiet or smooth as the 6.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi