Hi I am a proud new owner of a 74 manual 240D. It is running smoothly at highway speeds (70-75) while on flat ground. But at the first sight of any kind of hill the hp drops out of this car and I nearly have to move into the emergency lane to avoid being rear ended.

What can I do to improve the performance on hill climbs?

Cheers

Beau

Check your air filter. A clean air filter makes a big difference especially if your old one is very dirty.

I also have a 74 240D manual which I dearly love I try to pick down hill routes.....

William Rogers......

Beau:

Do you get any black smoke with the pedal to the floor under load?

If not, you have fuel delivery problems -- dirty filters, misadjusted ALDA.

If you get lots of black smoke but no power, you are low on compression or have a plugged air filter -- check the valve adjustment (usually negelected on these cars!) and make sure the air filter is clean.

Most likely is dirty fuel filters or a plugged tank screen.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Peter, I can't locate the ALDA on my 74 240 .I don't think it has one......
william Rogers.....

74 240D
81 SD
81 2wd Blazer 454

I dont think it was smoking... I have only had the car on a rough hill once and it was at night. But I am going to take it "Hill Climbing" this weekend And ill know better then.

However the fuel filter and air filter will be changed shortly. (edit)There are two fuel filters in this car, one is actually "in line" Im thinking I should replace this one too...

as for the ALDA im not sure either, still waiting on a OEM in the mail!

Cheers

Beau

I thought ALDA was specific to Turbo diesels.

Are the old oil bath air filters really that effective? and will cleaning one make that much of a difference?

__________________
87 300SDL (115,000mi. 7/1/2008)
03 Jetta Wagon TDI (62,000mi. 7/1/2008)
75 240D(sold, sad to sell it, needed the garage for the SDL!)

Smokey

Anthony,

Non-turbos do have an ALDA, but it is mainly for altitude adjustment, instead of beefing up fuel delivery. At least this is what I learned a while back reading an ALDA thread on this site.

__________________
Sean Roland

2004 Saab 9-5 AERO 138k (for sale)
2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI 215k (sold)
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 - 132k (sold)
1999 Saab 9-3se -- 84k (sold)
1986 MB 190e 2.3 16v -- 221K (sold)
1985 MB 190e 2.3 16v euro -- 145k (junked)
1992 Saab 9000t 5sp. -- 142k (sold)
1994 Subaru Legacy -- 264K (sold)
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQ -- 102k (sold)
1983 MB 240D stick -- 160k (sold)
1988 Saab 900SPG -- 156K (sold)
1983 MB 300D -- 270K project or parts (sold)
1986 MB 280SE Euro stick -- 150K (sold)

Non-turbos have ALDAs, and if seriously out of adjustment, will restrict fuel delivery.

Oil bath air cleaner are better than paper by far, but also much messier and get plugged -- a mouse made a nest in the intake horn on my 220D during one of it's "rest" periods -- no way air was going through all that crud!

They work by sucking the air through a puddle of oil, then filtering the oil mist out with a steel mesh (looks like a giant scrub pad). They get clogged with dirt, the oil gets thick, and they are more succeptible to leaves and such blocking the air passages in the oil bath.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

dose anyone have photo or know where on IP the ALDA is on 74 240D got me stumped........
william Rogers......

Any body please tell me how to change the fuel filter on 1985 300D.
Where is this fuel filter located ? Do I need any special tools for the change?

Thank you

David
1985 300D

I’m not exactly sure where the two fuel filters are on the 85 300D. You should have the main filter very close to the power steering pump. It’s up high and should be easy to access. I believe on your car it’s aft of the steering (it’s left on my 87 SDL). It should have a bolt on the top center and look similar to a typical screw on oil filter. It may have a fuel line coming out of the top as well. I think the correct socket/wrench would be a 17mm. Before you get started pick up a small fuel container (and only use it for diesel). Purchase a gallon or so of diesel. After removing the old filter, position the new one and fill it with clean diesel prior to inserting the bolt. The remaining of the gallon of diesel goes in your tank. I would not store diesel. You may find a priming lever or pump handle on your engine near the fuel pump. If it has one, use it. My SDL does not. One of the lines leading into the main filter should be coming from the second filter you’ll need to change. This is the inline filter, or pre-filter coming from the tank. Be careful to install the new one in the proper direction! When you go to start, expect the engine to run for a second or two then die. It may take some cranking and a few re-starts to get it going. Most parts stores around here don’t carry the filters. I prefer ordering a hand full at a time online, along with some oil filters.

Thank you DZLPWR

Changing fuel filter is pretty complicated, especially the main fuel filter.
I will take a look this weekend if I can handle it myself. If not, I guess I'll leave to the shop.

Thank you again

David
1985 300D

My 85' 300D non-turbo does not have an ALDA....


ATLD