240D update

[engatwork]

Over the past couple/few weeks I have been driving the 240D as a "daily driver". I think it is, by far, the best commuter car I have ever owned - 55 mph speedlimit, two redlights, 18 miles each way. I filled it up this evening (second tankful since getting it back on the road) and averaged 26 mpg combined city/highway milage which I thought was pretty good. Oil pressure gets down to around 1.25 bar when idling with car in drive after riding on the interstate at 80 mph and rises immediately when stepping on the gas. It drives and handles great and does not seem to use any oil. I drove it on the interstate the other day and it is the only car that I have ever owned that you could hold the pedal to the floor the whole time without really worrying about getting a speeding ticket (86 mph is the fastest I saw).
Put a new radiator in it on Sat and went for a ride - forgot to tighten the hose down at the thermostat housing and it came off when I got to the store I was going to. I caught a cab to get home and 3 hours later went to pick it up. Put the hose on, tightened the clamp, put a little over 1 gallon of MB coolant/water mix in it and I was on my way without missing a beat. This car feels like a sports car compared to the 300D. Scheduled for a new paint job during the end of March.

[Aaron]

Jim,

Congrats on getting the 240 going again!! That engine looks like it's ready for another 500,000 miles!! Aren't these cars great???

[MikeTangas]

Jim,

You're making me consider starting a search for a 240 when I finish the 560.

Jim,

Aren't you ashamed that you ever even CONSIDERED parting it out?

Congrats on a job well done,

Jim,
I might have missed a thread about this car earlier, but just out of curiosity why did it need to be taken down at 120k? Thanks in advance.

[engatwork]

r90 - do a search with my name and "non-running 240D". Pretty long thread. Tells all about it - I actually purchased the car not running not knowing what I was getting into until I pulled the cyl head.
Larry - I am real glad I put it back right - well worth the experience to go through these engines and it was relatively inexpensive.

[Ken300D]

Now that you're all done (at least with the engine), show the family this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1806470743

(Buy-It-Now $8500.00)

Ken300D

P.S. I really like the Mercedes green - hope you get a good match.

[dwcasey]

So, how many could one expect off a 1980 240d before a rebuild?

[unkl300d]

Don't worry, perhaps more than you'll ever have time for.

Just change oil often and do the maintainance.

Don't worry.... be happy!

Mine went 380,000 miles before the rear main started leaking. The engine was starting and running great at that point. It did not make sense to only do the rear main seal since you have to pull the engine to get at it. Once apart we found a broken ring land on a piston. Completely rebuilt.

380,000 miles is not out of the question with proper maintenance. There have been some that went longer.

Have a great day,