Bad batch of diesel?!?!?
 

I had an interesting thing occur yesterday as I was coming back from a long trip in my 240D. I always get my diesel at Chevron but yesterday I had to get it at this truck stop as I couldn't find anything else. Right after I filled up and left I started hearing a "pinging" or "knocking" sound coming from my engine. It made this sound under both acceleration and cruising speeds. I still have half of this batch of diesel left in my tank. My car NEVER made this noise before I filled up at this truck stop.

I guess you could describe the sound as if someone were taking a hammer and hitting it on metal to make a high-pitched "ping" sound.

I put in 12 oz of Marvel Mystery Oil with every tank of diesel and I do mostly highway driving with my car. Any ideas as to what is happening? Damage done?

thanks for the advice and help.

PS--I am 100% sure I put diesel in for those who may wonder if I put gas in by mistake.

mike

In addition to what TXBill suggested, I'd think that this would be a good time to add a full bottle of Redline DFC to boost the cetane.

Yes, this place is a known chain. I'm sure that truckers will be familiar with "Pilot" truck stops. I don't have any Redline DFC.....but I do have a bottle of PowerService. I will add it to the car when I fill up next.

Does anyone know what is causing the "pinging?"

thanks,
mike

Yup, I'm quite familiar with Pilot truck stops. Yypically the fuel there is ok. They had little else to offer though.

My only guess is that the fuel got contaminated somewhere between the refinery and the truckstop.

I don't notice it on my MB's but my Volvo pings like crazy on cheap stuff. I can tell you where the car was filled (between our 3 stations) just by the sound of the engine. Shouldn't do any damage however.

Don

Very Interesting !
 

Last week I did a road trip to pick up a"new" used passenger seat and rear seat for a 126 about 300 miles away in my 87 SDL. Drove there and almost halfway back when I decided to top off my tank at a "Pilot" off I95 near New Haven CT. I took on 10 gals. and added 7 oz of Power Service. The additive was a double dose as I've been using 7 oz too 20 gal. the last 6-7 tankfulls. Jumped back onto I95 and within a mile I could feel that something had happened. I lost about 15 MPH of the top end, 85MPH was the best I could do and it took some work to get there, cruise control had a damn hard time making or keeping 85MPH. I had just driven 425 miles immediately prior at mostly 85 MPH with plenty left to spare, actually did a high speed test at almost 110 MPH on I95 East in CT where there is a big long 2-3 mile downgrade into a valley! It seemed as if the engine was starved for fuel or air or both. It took me almost 5 days to burn up that tankfull and I didn't get the 30 MPG I had gotten the previous 6 tankfulls mileage actually dropped almost 2.5 MPG! Since then I've filled up at my usual pump and thing seem to be back to normal. It couldn't have been the addative as I've double dosed it before without a problem so it had to be the fuel! :eek:

I just put in some "fresh" diesel from a different "known" station today. I will see if my car acts better in a day or so. I am still mad about getting some water-down crap from that stupid station. There ought to be laws about selling bad fuel.

Anyway.....today I received my information from MB regarding the history of my car. The letter said that the original window sticker info was not available for my car....but they did have the special order form that was the request for my car. From what the paperwork says, the original owner special ordered the car in Oct. 1979 and my cars build date is Nov 1979 (I can't believe that they still have the special order form for my car). The car arrived in San Francisco on Jan 21, 1980. The ONLY thing that was not included and what I REALLY wanted was the selling price of the car. All prices (including options) were not included in any of the papers I received. Does ANYONE know what a 1980 240D 4speed sticker price was?

thanks,
mike

I have an 82 240D with 4 spd and the only option was power windows. Sticker Price = $22,500. Standard equipment included -CC, AC, 4spd, Rear Wdo defroster, power antenna/am-fm/cassette, etc. I would think an 80 model would be only $1-2K less.

Have good day.