New to me 300d..... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

joegolden · #1 08-19-2013, 12:07 AM

Hello hello! I sold my 79 240d yesterday to West Virginia

Sad to see here go...Nothing like sitting on Craigslist on a Sunday morning, with a cup of coffee and $3500 cash in your pocket.

Trouble is bound to happen

I refreshed the screen and there it was..."1991 300d 2.5 turbo. 288k rebuilt transmission, rebuilt front end, A/C, battery ,water pump and serpentine belt. Yokohama Avids with 10k miles on them...Runs good , bad paint. Please call Bruce $1500 firm" Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I called after I got in the car and headed the 1 hrs drive to Benton Tn. When I got there he had people already there but he was a stand up guy and held it for me to have the first shot since I was the first caller.

Solid body, no rust, original paint, smoke silver with optional red leather (real) and interior. Had all books manuals and service stamps up to 240k. Window sticker has $5600 in options from the $430 Smoke Silver paint, $1500 leather, heated seats, ASD, power rear sunshade, rear reading lights, I need to look again but something about firmer seats driver and pass. I will get with you on that. Oh and a high power stereo that says 10 cd on front...CANT BE! Anyway it was about $48k after options.

I just got home with it this afternoon and it has been pouring and I took my boy to see "Planes" the movie.
So I have not had much time to tinker with it.
I know this much...

-runs very cool

-very quiet

-no smoke, unless you rev it hard and you will see a short black puff

-Drives tight as a drum

-seats are a little cracked and drivers bolster is split but looks like it can be helped...Interior is MINT not a crack anywhere. Not one thing missing or broken. beautiful wood grain. lovely carpet and MB mats. Headliner. Buttons are not worn. Amazing

-Transmission shifts very firm. not a hint of flare or slip, but its firmer than any other MB I have owned.

-a/c was pretty cold, but it seemed to make the engine surge under throttle when turned on and compressor running

-Um this thing is slowwwwwwwww. Now I ran it 85-90 on the way home but it took a year to get there. I was surprised to see 3100rpm at 80-82 MPH...seemed a little low to me but that perfect ..

-Body is laser straight and not a speck of rust. Roof is totally faded to the bone. Hood is getting close. I got me a can of almond Krylon to fix that when it dries up out..lol

Anyway I have never owned a diesel newer than an 87 so guys tell me what to expect, look for, tricks, and what not. I'm gonna do some searching on here tomorrow and see what I find out. Maybe get a picture or 2 up here.

Thanks

Joe

TnBob · #2 08-19-2013, 03:41 AM

Sounds like you got a good deal !

Paypal can be used to send a ~$100 or so deposit in these cases too. Worked well for me.

joegolden · #3 08-19-2013, 06:31 PM

what are some tricks to speeding this thing up?

It is so slow...

I cant even pull small grades on the interstate.
It has ZERO passing power...
If the a/c is running it really surges bad.

Can you adjust the ALDA or turn the boost up on the turbo?

Thanks

gsxr · #4 08-19-2013, 06:50 PM

Neeeeed photos! Sounds like it had pretty much all available options at the time, must have been a special order. ASD is awesome on slick surfaces, although the internal clutch pack is probably worn out with >250k on it.

Check the 0-60 time with a stopwatch, flat road, etc. Should be 12-13 seconds or so. If not, something is wrong, and needs to be fixed.

joegolden · #5 08-19-2013, 07:20 PM

It also has optional passenger airbag

joegolden · #6 08-19-2013, 07:26 PM

It also has LF and RF seat w reinforced springs. $25 per seat...weird..
High performance sound system $460 and its a CD player in dash...never in my life have I seen one like it

The guy was just so torn up about the rough interior and the bad paint that he asked such a small sum for it...Unless there is something bad wrong with the lack of power. I mean this thing should be quicker than an w123 300dt right?

Equestrian · #7 08-19-2013, 07:34 PM

At 288k The stupid vacuum actuated wastegate is pooped out. Put a pressure wastegate from ATE on there for $100 gut all that vacu egr junk and you will be very pleased. Right now you probably have a N/A car.

joegolden · #8 08-19-2013, 07:38 PM

That's exactly what it feels like! I hear ZERO turbo whine/whistle and never a surge of power.... I suppose there is a link here for me to start this...I have only had 1985 and older diesels so this thing looks like modern science to me... Oh by the way I work for a company that supplies parts to Borg Warner Turbo Systems and Detroit Diesel Reman...I should know a little bit

.....But not on this baby

shertex · #9 08-19-2013, 07:39 PM

These are not slow cars. Something is wrong. Start with easiest...replace the fuel filters (and air filter while you're at it). But plugged fuel filters could account for your symptoms by themselves. Or another restriction in fuel flow.

After that, take ALDA off to see if there's a big difference....if there is, then you can decide whether to leave off or adjust/shim.

The pressure converters (vacuum actuators) can go bad....there are three of them on the 91. That happened on my 92 (which has just two of them)....replaced them and it was a NIGHT AND DAY difference. But the simplest solution (which I haven't yet done on either of mine) is to replace the vacuum-actuated wastegate with a pressure-actuated one. GSXR has a great thread on this. You basically get to eliminate all the vacuum crap on the passenger side of the engine compartment.

Others can chime in with other possibilities....

Sounds like a good find....once you get the slowness thing figured out you'll be thrilled.

Equestrian · #10 08-19-2013, 07:45 PM

Ive been doing alot of work on my 91 I love my 2.5 and will answer anything i can. By the way mine runs right at 3000 at 80 as well.

joegolden · #11 08-19-2013, 07:45 PM

Brand new fuel filters and airfilter...I don't know if I know where to find the ALDA..Sorry I know its common sense to most folks ...I will search for threads here.. Thanks guys..Bring on the advice...The car is awesome on the freeway...I like 80-85 at 3200 rpm

Equestrian · #12 08-19-2013, 07:48 PM

Yeah the small T25 units arent talkative even when working but you have no boost. Heres your list get rid of everything around your airbox there are three vac amplifiers an egr and a wategate. Goodby vacu-crap hello gofast!! Let me try and find the wastegate part no. for reference. Fixing my turbo took 9 full second off my quarter mile time.

joegolden · #13 08-19-2013, 07:53 PM

WHAT!?

Holy smokes...That's awesome. Yeah it will cruise at 80-85 no problem but the slightest incline....oh man I start to lose speed and if I smash it hard enough to kickdown to 3rd all that does is make noise and slow even faster. I cant wait to dig in because with a rebuilt fron end, tranny and a/c I feel like I got the bones for a good car....Engine is so quiet at idle...very smooth...not the slightest hint of vibration. NOW if I can just get er to go! Thanks!

shertex · #14 08-19-2013, 07:59 PM

Part 433489-12 from ATP Turbo is what you want if you go that route.

Equestrian · #15 08-19-2013, 08:00 PM

Believe me you wont miss the pre 87 tractors a bit although i do have a 617 soft spot. These things are quick. A whole different animal. And the handling is a world apart. If your feeling ambitious Davey at Potomac German auto gets a E500 from time to time and most of the cool suspension bits drop right in. Grab a thermometer your A/C shouldn't have trouble doing 40*-45* at 90* on a highway cruise although the evap could probably use a cleaning, gotta love R-12.